San Diego Chapter ＃119 USA

20250402
Demonstration　 Open to the Public Sogetsu
Carlsbad Newcomer Club (a social club) Coffee meetings include an educational presentation as well as local announcements. At this meeting, Yuriko Caldwell, First Grade Somu Degree, created two arrangements (one moribana and one nageire style), explained some of the basic tenets of Ikebana, and answered questions.
20250401-02
Sogetsu
Daikin Comfort, a Japanese based company, contacted I.I. San Diego requesting a contact person to make three ikebana arrangements for their booth at the Johnstone Supply Spring 2025 Trade Show at the San Diego Convention Center. They required the arrangements to use white floral materials (no red or orange); to consider sustainability; and to celebrate San Diego.
Sharon Bristow, a Sogetsu 3rd Grade Teacher’s Rank ikebana artist, volunteered to fulfill their request. She used containers created by local San Diego potter and, in addition to white mums and calla lilies (easily found locally), used yellow flowers to represent the sunshine of San Diego. All three arrangements were vetted by the event coordinator to ensure they met everyone’s needs and the theme requested.

20250423
Exhibition　 Chapter Meeting　 Open to the Public
SIDENOTE: Our programming calendar is created several months in advance, so we had to observe Ikebana Day earlier than its official June 6th date.
After a brief business meeting, we began the Ikebana Day program. Patricia Fuchs explained the background and history of this special day, and Carole Scott gave a very informative talk on the Alstroemeria plant. Seventeen members participated in this inaugural showcase, and after this introduction, each participant gave a brief explanation about their arrangement, naming their school and describing their inspiration, container, and plant materials used.

20250524　　Demonstration
Two of our members, Chris Jones (4th Grade Teacher) and Jeff Fine (2nd Jonin Teacher) performed a demonstration for the Mission Hills Garden Club at the Mission Hills Nursery. Chris Jones provided attendees with an introduction to Ikebana and demonstrated the Sogetsu Book 1-Lesson 1 arrangement (basic upright style moribana) while Jeff gave a freestyle demonstration. Afterwards Garden Club members had the opportunity to ask questions. The event was well-received.