SPRING NEWSLETTER #51
March, 2023
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
Now that our latest bout of snow has melted, VIA’s spring 2023 season is off to another busy start. We are kicking off the year with a classroom workshop for middle school students in partnership with the Consulate of Japan. Thank you to Elizabeth and Yoko of Sogetsu who are volunteering their time to educate this latest group of students on the art form of ikebana.
In April, we will again be exhibiting at Sakura Days, Japan Fair at VanDusen Gardens. If you have not yet confirmed whether you would like to display at this event, please let me know as soon as you can. In addition to our usual exhibit in the Discovery Room, we are also being given the opportunity to host workshops over the course of the weekend. Sogetsu, Sangetsu and Ikenobo will each teach a class in the Cedar Room, so please mark your calendars for April 15 & 16 and encourage your friends to register for a workshop once tickets become available.
Following Sakura Days, is of course, our annual Spring Show. On May 6 & 7 we will be back at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby. The Centre is highly enthusiastic about hosting our event and have graciously offered to do a great deal of advertising on our behalf. We have also agreed to collaborate with the Nikkei Bonsai Society, who will have a smaller display in the entranceway of the Nikkei Centre, in order to create another layer of interest for show attendees. Of course, due to the success of last year’s workshops, we will be conducting another series of classes, this time with a slightly larger attendance capacity. Finally, to create another source of fundraising income, the show committee would like to have a used container sale at the show. If you have any used containers, kenzan or clippers that you would like to donate, please let your head of school or show committee member know. Please also confirm whether you would like to display at the Spring Show no later than March 31. As a reminder, there is a $20 fee to display and your membership must be in good standing.
Thanks to all of you who have been in touch and volunteered your time thus far. I hope to hear from even more of you as further events and opportunities unfold throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Cooke, VIA President
PS. We are still in need of a 2nd Vice President and Secretary. If you are interested in either of these positions, please consider putting your name forward.
Talk and Demonstration for UBC Faculty Women’s Club
The Faculty Women’s Club at UBC invited VIA to do a talk on Ikebana, and Margaret Ng from Ikenobo volunteered. On Oct 18, 2022 at the elegant hall inside The Cecil Green Park House, UBC, Margaret gave a talk with a slide show, touched on the history of Ikebana and the different styles of arrangements. After the talk, Margaret did a demonstration followed with a request for a 2nd arrangement while Margaret managed to get help from one of the attendee and finished a freestyle together. They welcomed around 25 members and some stayed for a workshop while Margaret prepared flowers for them. Margaret also shared her ideas when members asked for improvement for their arrangements. Below is a feedback from their president Joy Salzberg.
“We would like to thank you very much for the informative Ikebana presentation and beautiful demo today. Many of our members came up and commented on how much they found your workshop interesting and enjoyable. I appreciate the various flowers and branches/leaves you brought and your help with our Ikebana free-styles. What a great afternoon we had!
Margaret Ng
Ikebana Workshops at the Nikkei Centre
In October of 2022, two workshops were conducted by Sogetsu and by Sangetsu members.
The workshops were limited to 20 students, however, Sogetsu accommodated and extra two participants because of overbooking, and having adequate materials. Greta Kos lead the Sogetsu workshop but received major help from Annie Santini, Daphne Squire, Mina Alimohammadi and Romy Chan – all of whom could have easily lead the workshop themselves.
The workshops were presented as an overview of what Ikebana is and can be, but that in order to achieve true skill, proper study of an established curriculum must take place. In order to have people get the most “bang for their buck”, and see results quickly, the main stems were precut and pre-chosen. Oasis floral foam was used instead of Kenzan so that a complete arrangement could be taken home by the participant. The workshops were promoted by the Nikkei Centre, and were very happy with the response and the results, as were the participants.
The Sangetsu workshop was led by Kimberly Cooke, who was assisted by Lisa Kew and Ada Lee. This class consisted of 18 individuals and according to Kimberly, overall, it was a positive experience. The participants seemed engaged and pleased with their results. Some very kind students even stayed behind to help clean up. The president of the Community Centered College for the Retired was in attendance, and was interested in having VIA conduct similar workshops for the Spring Semester.
Whether participants decide to continue with formal studies in Ikebana or not, these types of workshops give individuals a greater appreciation for this art form, and enhance their enjoyment of our shows, or of other floral art.
Greta Kos
Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival
Attending a Festival by local BC artists at the Roundhouse Community Center last year was a new experience for me. This was their 6th annual Festival, and I led an ikebana workshop with a class of 15 participants on October 15th.
Why is it called “Outsider Arts Festival”? I learned on researching the site that: “artists may be self-taught or trained: they are all devoted to their creative practices, and come from a point of view that is outside the mainstream art world trends”. Through the art, we can learn more about each other and benefit society. Ikebana is also an art, a Japanese tradition of using fresh flower materials. Tickets for my Ikebana class sold out quickly.
On the day of the workshop, I came early but the classroom was not yet set up. I spent some time looking for the right person in charge, and with the help of my student Jean and VOAF volunteers, I finally got everything ready. After my brief introduction and demonstration, everyone showed a strong interest in the hands-on class. The time passed too quickly!
While the venue of the Roundhouse is nice, the downside is parking. I thank Judie Glick who graciously provided me with free visitor parking at her apartment near the Roundhouse Community Centre. I am grateful for our “Ikebana friendship”!
Cecily Chang, Ikenobo
A Sogetsu class was also held by Judie Glick at the Festival. It was shown that Ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, using any materials. When asked to bring a favorite container, some only had a water bottle. It’s about expressing our essence in the times we live in.
Judie Glick, Sogetsu
Library Report
No new books have been ordered for this year, so far, but if anyone has any suggestions, please let Joan know what publications are of interest. Joan is storing the VIA library books at her home, so if anyone would like to borrow anything, please let her know, and a pick up time can be arranged. Text or call 604-813-8054.
We are missing a book called Easy Ikebana by Shinichi Nagatsuka. If you have it, please let Joan know!
Joan Fairs
Upcoming Events
March 25th 1:30 Business Meeting McGregor House Library 4250 Marine Drive, Burnaby
April 1st 11:00 – 5:00 O-Hanami with Ikebana display Nikkei Centre in Burnaby
April 15th, 16th Sakura Days VanDusen Discovery Room. Workshops in Cedar Room of Floral Hall.
May 6th, 7th VIA Spring Show Nikkei Centre, Burnaby
May 13th, 14th Burnaby Blooms Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby
May 27th 1:30 Business Meeting McGregor House Library 4250 Marine Drive Burnaby
August 5th, 6th Powell Street Festival. Buddhist Temple, Vancouver
