San Diego Chapter ＃119 USA
February 26, 2025
Demonstration Workshop Open to the Public
The meeting opened with a business meeting which, after preliminaries such as approving last month’s minutes, focused on the need for volunteers for the major Spring Show set for March 22-23 (set-up; hosts; take-down) and hospitality leads for spring.
There was then a demonstration by Ohara Master Teacher, Jackie Zhang, founder of the San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School in 2011. Jackie’s demonstration was celebrating 100th birthday of Alice Yano, a member of Ikebana International since 2015 and a founding member of the San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School.
Jackie prepared three arrangements, (1) radial form (basic Ohara), (2) Hana
Kanade (crossing lines toward the center in a moribana container, and (3) Rimpa (landscape with two moribana containers).
Members of the Sakura Chapter study group supported the demonstration: Laura Hoffman assisted Jackie; Joan Azar narrated; Betty Schenk, Rose Tyson, Dorothy Jones, Laura Hoffman, and Jackie Zhang all made arrangements to celebrate Alice Yano’s 100th birthday.
After the Ohara demonstration, Judi Bowes, Cecilia Carrick, Ginger Truschke and Maureen McBreen conducted a card making workshop. The workshop honored and used materials donated by former SD II member, the late Patricia Schneider. Sixteen participants made cards with lattice, pillows, and friendship knots hosted by Judi, Cecilia, Ginger, and Maureen. A great deal of
effort and preparation went into this workshop, and it is greatly appreciated by everyone in attendance.
The meeting concluded with a luncheon and a raffle of handmade ceramic containers created by our chapter member, Rose Tyson.
March 22-23, 2025
Demonstration Exhibition Open to the Public
The chapter hosted its 57th Exhibition, titled “Nature in Balance”, in Balboa Park. The exhibition included 36 arrangements submitted by members as well as numerous arrangements which were created during demonstrations and subsequently exhibited. The demonstrations (3 per day) were performed by Deborah Warriner (Ichiyo); Akiko Bourland (Ohara); Yumi Rakers (Sogetsu); Patricia Fuchs (Sogetsu); Yuriko Caldwell (Sogetsu); Ginger Truschke (Ohara). Demonstrations ranged from traditional-style demonstrations to more novice-friendly ones such as how to transform a supermarket bouquet into an Ikebana arrangement (a demonstration performed by Debborah Warriner and Ginger Truschke).
Approximately 1500 people visited the exhibition which was free of charge. The hosts were on duty during the exhibition to answer visitors’ questions. For some visitors, this exhibition was their first exposure to Ikebana, while other visitors were long-time fans or actual practitioners of this artform.
In addition to the floral arrangements, a Ways & Means sales area was set up with new and used containers, kenzans, hasami and other Japanese cultural goods such as lacquer trays, cups, Japanese paper, and other items. The exhibition also included a library / book sale area where visitors could examine or purchase various books on different styles of ikebana.
Members worked on Thursday preceding the weekend to transform the meeting room into an exhibition/gallery type space; exhibitors built their arrangements on Friday, and then the show was open Saturday March 22nd and Sunday March 23rd. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwBld0VLGdc to see a slideshow of featured arrangements.
