SUMMER NEWSLETTER #47
June 2021
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
In the early spring, when we were collecting ikebana photos in order to prepare a virtual ikebana video, I was made aware of a few of our members suffering from cancer. We have lost several of our members since last year and we can’t even join their celebration of life ceremony due to the critical Covid-19 conditions. In late April, I was suffering from the pain of losing my previous student Jane Hood who had been with me for 6 years. Her sudden demise really caught us off guard. Life is so unpredictable and we can do nothing but treasure every moment that we can share with one another. Caring about each other through even a warm telephone call, a virtual meeting or a chat without boundary and distance is crucial. Apart from some teachers who still have a limited number of students taking lessons from home, many members have learned new techniques to teach or meet online. I encourage every one of you to experience diversified methods to share our love of ikebana with your friends and encourage everyone around the world to learn ikebana.
In Memory of Dr. Jane Hood, her Appleblossoms arrangement from March
It is said that the virus won’t go away completely even though we now have protection with the vaccine. We need to have a new vision to see the world and create a new rule to deal with Mother Nature, while in the meantime prepare for new in-person exhibitions in the near future. Currently, with the opening steps offered by the B.C. Government, we’re looking forward to having our Fall Exhibition at the National Nikkei Museum & Cultural Centre and the late Chrysanthemum Show at the GardenWorks at Mandeville Garden. Details of these programmes will soon be released.
The VIA is a group of ikebana lovers and all the activities need support from everyone. It is not just the membership fee; we need all of your devotion, enthusiasm, love and effort to hold all of our events successfully; to make friends through ikebana. I will be stepping down next year and Kimberly Cooke will take the presidency. However, we will then need a new vice president and second vice president to assist her by next year. We are also searching for someone to take the position of treasurer. Each position has a two year term. Please kindly consider and devote your time and talents to our association. With new blood joining, we hope the association will grow stronger and stronger. Thank you!
Cecily Chang, VIA President
Treasurer’s/ Membership Report
Bank Balance January 1, 2021 $5073.47
Receipts 1723.00
Disbursements 818.25
Bank Balance, May 28, 2021 $5978.22
Plus 2 term deposits of $2000.00 and $5000.00
We have 81 paid members plus 3 honorary for a total of 84 members at this time. If you still have not paid for this year’s membership, please send $30.00 to rose_scott@telus.net. This will cover your membership for this year as well as for 2022! New members pay $20.00.
Rose Scott
Important Notice: A Second Vice President is needed this year to keep the succession going. Please consider taking on this position, and let any of the executive know if you are willing to fill this spot!
May 2021 Library Report
VIA received a total of 43 donated books in April 2021. There were 42 books donated by Annie Wong’s family and one book by Jane Hood. Out of the 42 books donated, 4 were duplicates, 1 not ikebana related, 1 miscellaneous, 4 combination and 32 Sogetsu books. A big thanks to Taz Tsai, Sogetsu, for helping out by translating Japanese book titles into English. A list of library books will be emailed to members. Members can borrow books by contacting Joan’s email: joanfairs@gmail.com
Below is the information regarding Annie Wong.
Annie Wong, Cyō zan 澄山 (1946-2015) was an active member of the Ikebana community, particularly the Toronto Chapter, and various floral arrangement groups in Ontario since the late 90s.
Originally from Hong Kong, Annie’s passion in Floral arrangements, particularly Ikebana and Sogetsu school, connected her with many friends and acquaintances over the years, be it in various demonstrations and workshops offered by various chapters, or the Sogetsu conferences in Japan, US and in Europe.
Annie taught many students over the years, and she is still fondly remembered by her friends and students.
Romy Chan, VIA Librarian
The Bloom Exhibition on Granville Island
From March 15th -28th a joint exhibition took place at the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery on Granville Island. Except for last year, this exhibition has taken place a number of years now and has proved to be a success. The event actually consisted of two shows both lasting a week and with a different set of both visual artists and Sogetsu Ikebana artists each week. In the first week there were 10 Ikebana arrangements and in the second 9. Hollis Ho has been instrumental in envisioning and coordinating this event and we are grateful to her for all her hard work.
As usual there was a variety of designs but mention must be made of the one done by Joshua Keyzer and his brother Jeremy. These boys started in October of last year by collecting a huge amount of Bulrushes which were cut into smaller pieces and cooked until a pulp was formed. Then they pasted this pulp many times onto pieces of cheese cloth and then dried the pieces into various shapes which formed the overall shape of their arrangement. The material was large and very heavy and as such the boys even made a concrete plinth on which it stood. A number of stems of Hydrangea were used plus Hellebores and green berries.
It is rare for us to be able to use green bamboo and Annie Santini was lucky enough to find a large amount of discarded green bamboo and ended up using a couple of long green pieces very well. Beautiful large Protea also enhanced the design. A few arrangers: Hollis Ho, Karen Kirkpatrick and Kenji Morishita challenged themselves by using unconventional materials and doing Ikebana without water. Tazuko Tsai added a whimsical element to her arrangement by adding red painted pistachio shells. It was so wonderful for us to be able to do an actual live event and to see Ikebana friends after such a long time. It was a fantastic way to kick off Spring and to look forward to other positive changes. Arrangement by Annie Santini
Greta Kos, Sogetsu
2021 Virtual Spring Show
Ever since March 2020, all of our activities have been cancelled due to the pandemic. In July 2020, we prepared a 1-minute video for the Powell Street Festival which included all of our ikebana displays from previous years in the Buddhist Temple at the festival.
With this experience and the reference of Ikenobo Toronto Chapter’s Hatsuike video (New Year Celebration), I suggested at the AGM that we collect members’ ikebana pictures to make our own 2021 Virtual Show to soothe the regrets of not being able to have an in-person exhibit. The first step was to collect Spring ikebana photos from each school member. There were some requirements of the photo background and the image resolution. Some of the members had experienced difficulties during this process. Meanwhile, there were some extra photoshop techniques to enhence the picture quality. The next step was the music. It’s a time consuming job to locate appropriate copyright-free music to veraciously express the spring flavour of a delightful, charming, energetic, relaxing and artistic mood. To me, it was important to deliver a joyful feeling during this critical time.
There were some more photos that I took during early Spring and they were suitable to be the backgroud of the brief introduction of VIA and each school’s credo. With 44 members’ participation and support, this educational and beautiful virtual show really brought joy and peace to our hearts. We’ve distributed it to various art groups in Greater Vancouver and social media through Facebook and various newsletters. Pianist Michelle Carisle even adopted it in her livestream on May 13 on Youtube and received favorable comments. We also posted it onto Youtube so that some of our friends abroad can easily access it and share. Thank you all for your kind support and I would also like to acknowledge Jessica Han for her efforts in editing and suggestions. I’m glad we did it!
Youtube link of the virtual show: https://youtu.be/tZK8y6iF2K4
Cecily Chang
Some arrangements from our Virtual Spring Show
Barbara James, Kado-Sumi Hiroko Yasuoka, Ohara Ting Zhou, Ikenobo
Marie Ogryzlo, Sogetsu Kimberly Cooke, Sangetsu
Sangetsu Updates
From this past November, the Sangetsu North America advisory group, of which I am a part of, decided to hold monthly Zoom demonstrations so that our members and students would know that they have not been forgotten despite all the shutdowns. About 40 people watch the live demonstrations and many are sent a link to the recordings. If you would like a link, please let me know… joanfairs@shaw.ca.
Mayumi has been holding tiny in person classes since March, and I have been having Zoom classes for my advanced students from February to May. Hopefully in person classes will begin next month, with more classes resuming in September.
Joan Fairs
Containers for sale!
Judie Glick will be downsizing this fall, and is currently selling some of her ikebana containers which she has collected over her past 20 years of involvement with Sogetsu and the VIA. Each lot houses 5-6 containers, and all dishes and vases have already been carefully packaged and boxed. Judy is selling individual lots for $45 each, but would prefer to sell all lots together for $350 to anyone who may be interested ($55 savings).
By supporting Judy, you will also be supporting our association, as 20% of proceeds will be donated to the VIA to help fund future shows and events.
Please contact Judy directly with your questions or interest.
jadglick@me.com 604-306-4402
