October 2023 Workshop - Sogetsu Ikebana

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October Workshop – Sogetsu School - Composing with Branches

For our October Meeting/Workshop Leslie Rosinski from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana taught us a lesson on "Composing with Branches - A Two-step Approach". Leslie brought a lot of fun and unusual plant material for us to use in our arrangements.

August Workshop – Ichiyo School - Two Container Arrangements

Liz and Terre demonstrated using two containers to create a cohesive

arrangement so materials can “communicate” with each other.  

This is done through splitting the basic upright or slanting form between the two containers or using freestyle approaches with crossing lines and mass.

With so much in bloom during August, materials from the summer season work together nicely to let your imagination go and have fun.

May Workshop – Freestyle - Weaving and Artistry

Our chapter members enjoyed a wonderful day out at Camp Woodbury. Judy Charlick, a skilled ceramicist, basket weaver and instructor in the Ohara School came from Cleveland to lead a workshop entitled "Weaving and Artistry". In the morning we learned how to weave a reed form to incorporate into our arrangements. After lunch we made free style arrangements with them. Throughout the day we got to experience the beautiful natural environment at Camp Woodbury as well as the motto of Ikebana International "Friendship through Flowers" as we all got to know each other better. It truly was a day of creativity, friendship and rejuvenation.

On a warm and sunny March, Janet Knowlton taught the Ichiyo school of Ikebana, focusing on the Basic Moribana Upright and Slanting Style - one of the basics of Ikebana. Janet demonstrated proportion, line, and

stem placement to create a beautiful and balanced arrangement. Janet discussed how to move beyond basic arrangement elements to use line to create movement. She also demonstrated the additional elements of space and mass.. This was another great opportunity for both the seasoned practitioner and beginners to step back to the basics to help us grow in this beautiful art.

For our January chapter meeting, Ichiyo instructor, Liz Larwa, led a workshop in creating a New Year’s arrangement using the basic upright style and focusing on traditional Japanese materials. We used pine, chrysanthemum, red berries and other materials. We learned about Mizuhiki, a cord which is often used in Japan in New Years arrangements, cards, gifts etc. as a symbol of warmth, affection, and togetherness. We learned various ways we can use it in our arrangements.

 For our November chapter meeting, Leslie Rosinski, a teacher in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana taught a lesson using dried, bleached or colored materials. These materials can be arranged in positions independent of the container and can show lightness or texture which cannot be expressed by fresh materials. She  combined  bittersweet vines, chrysanthemums in deep saturated tones, fall grasses and various other dried materials in a basket to create unique autumn arrangements. 

We celebrated 45 years of the Ann Arbor Chapter of Ikebana International with a delicious cake and a wonderful demonstration by our very own Chapter president and Sensei Liz Larwa. Liz is an instructor in the Ichiyo School and demonstrated how to use gladiolas in Ikebana arrangements at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

At our chapter meeting today, which was held at the shelter at Island Park, Ichiyo instructor Terre Voegeli presented a water arrangement where the design elements are above and below water. It was a lot of fun and the perfect lesson for a hot summer day

November Workshop– Sogetsu School - Composition of Mass & Line

For our November Meeting/Workshop, Leslie Rozinski demonstrated this Sogetsu Ikebana arrangement form by contrasting the two elements of mass and line.  We brought our own branches and carnations in various colors were provided. It was a very enjoyable workshop.