SPRING NEWSLETTER #45
March 2020
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Cecily Chang
Over these years, we’ve been working hard. We have contributed our floral skills to share meaningful and beautiful ikebana arrangements with audiences through exhibitions and workshops all year round.
At the begining of 2020, we’ve encountered a severe situation with the COVID-19 virus, which influenced many countries, people and events. Not only have all the spring exhibition/workshops in Japan been cancelled, the Sakura Days Japan Fair 2020 (originally scheduled in April 18-19) at VanDusen Garden has also been cancelled. I sincerely hope everyone stays in good health during these critical times.
In the past, we have transferred our Spring Show venue from the Oakridge Auditorium to Alan Emmott Centre in Burnaby, and from a two-day event to one day only. In 2020, we have become a partner with the Roundhouse Community Centre through an introduction from my daughter, Jessica Han, who has worked there for many years. Therefore, this year we were going to have our two-day long Spring Show at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown. The space is gorgeous, well suited to exhibits, and easily accessible for the public. With this expansion into the downtown area, I sincerely hoped the theme of Reiwa (harmony) this year would have been well spread!
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, our Spring Show is now on hold; we’ll inform everyone once the final decision is made. Meanwhile, Sarah of the Roundhouse Community Centre has reserved our event for May 13-15 2022 according to their tight schedule. We have to locate other venue for 2021.
This is the second time I’ve held this position as VIA President (last time in 2008-2009). I’ve learned a lot through participating in all kinds of exhibitions and demonstrations through VIA. My students were also encouraged to join VIA because each time they participated, they not only improved their skills, they also made friends and learned how to appreciate other people’s art pieces. Harmony is not only just in an arrangement, it’s also applied to all kinds of relationships.
I have also taken the position of President of Ikenobo after Mrs. Martha Banno stepped down in January. There are some long time members from Ikenobo who have recently joined the VIA. Welcome! I’m looking forward to VIA’s successful future with more members joining and sincerely hope that some people of the younger generation can step up to help. We’re a family of ikebana, we work together for ikebana!
Sincerely, Cecily Chang, President VIA
2020 AGM by Joan Fairs
Our Annual General Meeting at the McGregor House in Burnaby, was held on January 25th. Seventeen members attended. Elizabeth Theriault of Sogetsu has taken the position of Second Vice President, and Cecily Chang who has held the position of Vice President stepped into the role of President midway through the meeting as Joan Fairs completed her two year tenure. Cecily presented Joan with a lovely vase as a thank-you for her two years of leadership. The position of Second Vice President (since Elizabeth immediately moved into the Vice President position), as well as Secretary, are presently vacant. Please let the executive know if you can fill one of these crucial spots!
Joan has taken over the position of Editor of the newsletter, as well as overseeing Instagram. Cecily will continue to manage our Facebook page. If anyone would like to have their ikebana pictures in either medium, please send them to the appropriate person. Joan also looks after the Vancouver-ikebana.ca website and would welcome any input.
The minutes of this meeting have been sent out to the membership, so each item will not be repeated.
Ikebana by Judie Glick of Sogetsu, Cecily Chang of Ikenobo, Kaz Takahashi of Kado-Sumi and Joan Fairs of Sangetsu added to our gathering.
Witch hazel arrangement by Judie Glick, Nandina arrangement by Kaz Takahashi.
Kimberly Cooke brought in her beautiful baby girl, Avery, to meet everyone at the conclusion of the meeting. Seen here being held by a beaming Greta Kos.
A tasty selection of pot luck dishes were provided by the attendees for our New Year’s celebration. Thank you everyone for participating!
EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION by Joan Fairs
The new Emperor of Japan, Naruhito, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on the first of May 2019, beginning the Reiwa era. He is the 126th monarch according to Japan’s traditional order of succession. His birthday is February 23rd, 1960.
As is the custom, the Japanese Consulate in Vancouver celebrates the Emperor’s birthday annually with a large gathering at a downtown hotel. This year, the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel was the venue, and the celebration was held on January 29th. Many dignitaries attended, including the Minister of Multiculturalism of BC, Lisa Beare, who spoke of the harsh treatment of people of Japanese descent during the Second World War, as did Consul General Hatori. They hoped that such injustices never happen again to any group of people.
A small group of singers sang the Japanese National Anthem as well as Oh, Canada!
All five schools were invited to display an ikebana, however, due to health concerns only three were able to participate. Hollis Ho of Sogetsu made a swirling spring arrangement with pussy willow, red maple branches, nandina and phalaenopsis orchids. Cecily Chang of Ikenobo made a traditional Rikka Shimputai using wax flower, coontia, anemone, bouvardia, pussy willow, calethea and tulip. Joan Fairs of Sangetsu, made a natural looking arrangement using birch branches, mauve mums, early flowering cherry branches and camellia from her garden. Each arrange -ment showed the definite trademarks of their school.
A lovely assortment of finger food, both Japanese and Western, was enjoy-ed by all. Those who attended chatted with many of the other guests.
LATE CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW 2019 by Marie Ogryzlo
Members of Ikenobo, Sangetsu and Sogetsu schools created ten ikebana for the Late Chrysanthemum Show in November of last year. They used the large disbud mums that bloom at the end of October and into November. They were: Cecily Chang, Pauline Liou, Joan Fairs, So Jung Choi, Amy Ruan, Fei Chui, Hiro Sugino, Yuki Ishikawa, Virginia Meachin and Marie Ogryzlo. The show was held once again at GardenWorks in South Burnaby.
Sangetsu Ikebana by Amy Ruan Ikenobo arrangement by Pauline Liou
It was a beautiful show displaying the various styles in ikebana. When the other blooms in the garden are fading, it is a delight to see the late chrysanthemums come into their own. The colours are even more beautiful than those of the early mums.
Members of the Chrysanthemum Association extend grateful thanks to all who created such beautiful ikebana and contributed to the beauty of the Late Chrysanthemum Show. The display was much admired and appreciated by growers as well as by visitors.
TREASURER’S REPORT MARCH 2, 2020 by Rose Scott
Bank Balance December 31, 2019 $4667.38
Income $1260.66
Expenses $ 438.95
Bank Balance, March 2, 2020 $5489.09
Plus 2 term deposits: Term of $2000.00, matures September 9, 2020 @1.7%% and another for $5000.00 matures June 1, 2020 @ 1.7%. We have 66 paid up members plus 3 honorary members for a total of 69 members. Membership renewals ($20) must be received by March 31st or $30 after that date.New members pay $20. Please send e-transfer to Rose.
LIBRARY REPORT by Romy Chan
A new library book “Ikebana Inspired by Emotions” has been purchased. It’s will be available for circulation at the next meeting.
UPCOMING EVENTS Due to the Covid 19 outbreak, most events are cancelled. This list will be updated on the website: www.vancouver-ikebana.ca
March 28th Business meeting 1:30 McGregor House. Refreshments: Kado Sumi Cancelled
April 18th and 19th Sakura Days Japan Fair VanDusen Garden Cancelled
May 22nd Set up and Ikekomi of Roundhouse Community Centre for the Spring Show TBA
May 23rd, and 24th Spring Show. Theme: “Beautiful Harmony”. Workshops available; prebook by e-transfer to our treasurer rose_scott@telus.net. See our poster for more details. TBA
May 30th Business meeting 1:30 McGregor House. Refreshments:
August 1st and 2nd Powell Street Festival. Ikebana display and demonstrations in the hall of the Buddhist Temple
September 5th and 6th Early Mum Show VanDusen Garden, Floral Hall
November 7th and 8th Late Mum Show GardenWorks Mandeville, Burnaby
VIA Executive 2020
President Cecily Cheng yccecily@gmail.com 778-834-8153
Vice President Elizabeth Theriault theriaultelizabeth124@gmail.com 647-824-6055
Second Vice President Kimberly Cooke kfairs@shaw.ca 604- 218-4853
Past President Joan Fairs joanfairs@shaw.ca 604-813-8054
Treasurer Rose Scott rose_scott@telus.net 250-558-3661
Secretary Vacancy
Library Romy Chan sewmom@hotmail.com 604-339-1993
Newsletter editor Joan Fairs joanfairs@shaw.ca 604-813-8054
