Flower power
When glass forms meet flowers, a little magic happens, especially in the art of creating arrangements of ikebana — living flowers. Local practitioners of this Japanese art —Ikebana International in Western North Carolina — will present a demonstration on the use of glass containers in contemporary Japanese flower design on Tuesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Folk Art Center (located at milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway).

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about ikebana, here’s the explanation from the Asheville Chapter #74 of Ikebana International (a network of over 8,600 members in 50 countries who practice the Japanese art of flower arranging): “An ancient art, ikebana began with 6th-century priests offering flowers to Buddha and today includes a number of schools that apply variations in form and design to their artistic expression. Classes are available in the Asheville area for the following ‘schools’ of Ikebana: Ichiyo is a contemporary style that harmonizes with the various spaces in our living environment. Ikenobo, officially recognized as the oldest school, offers the most traditional style of Japanese flower arranging. The Ohara School emphasizes the landscaped environment with the seasonal use of branch and flower material. Sogetsu, sculptural in form and intent, promotes free style and abstract arrangements.”

The Asheville chapter usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month, February through October, generally at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. They are FREE and open to the public. In 2011, presentations include flower demonstrations and cultural programs featuring such topics as: Japanese Tea Ceremony, Designing with Glass, Designing with Tulips, Making Containers with Screen, Training the Creative Eye and others.

Exhibitions: Ikebana International presents exhibition designs annually at the Art in Bloom event at the Black Mountain Museum of Art in June and in conjunction with the Carolina Bonsai Expo at the NC Arboretum the second weekend in October.

Membership: Fees of $70 per year provide monthly chapter meetings, copies of Ikebana International magazine, monthly online newsletter, invitations to events, international newsletters, regional conferences, and world conventions.

Regional Conferences and World Conventions: Held periodically in regions world wide, these comprehensive educational and cultural exchange opportunities are available to all Ikebana International membership. In 2011, six chapter members will attend the Ikebana International Convention held in Japan every five years. Asheville Chapter #74 will host its first Ikebana International North American Regional Conference May 19-24, 2013 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville.

For more information, please contact Louise Glickman at 273-8783 (lsglickman@gmail.com) or Patti Quinn Hill, president of Ikebana International in Asheville at 645-6633 (pattiquinnhill@gmail.com) or visit the website, www.ikebanaasheville.org.
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