January 2024 Workshop - Ichiyo Ikebana
Ichiyo Ikebana - Upright Style Nageire Form (Tall Container)
January Workshop: Ichiyo Ikebana - Upright style Nageire form
The January workshop was led by Ichiyo Master Janet Knowlton.
Janet demonstrated the Ichiyo Basic Upright style, but in its Nageire form (in a tall container). The upright form skills and techniques are integral to Ikebana with many beautiful arrangements created in the workshop.
December 2023 Workshop - Ichiyo Ikebana
Creating Holiday Arrangement Ichiyo Ikebana - Upright Form
December Workshop: Ichiyo Ikebana- Holiday Arrangement
Celebrating the year end with our December Workshop, Ichiyo Sensei Janet Knowlton led the creation of holiday arrangements created in the style of the Ichiyo Upright form. It was great to spread out in a beautiful large space at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Ann Arbor. The workshop also featured a potluck and container sale.
November 2023 Workshop - Sogetsu Ikebana
Composition of Mass & Line Sogetsu Ikebana
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.
October 2023 Workshop - Sogetsu Ikebana
Composing with Branches Sogetsu Ikebana
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.
September 2023 Workshop - Flat Form
Flat Form Ichiyo Ikebana
September Workshop – Ichiyo School - Flat Form Ikebana
We welcomed many new members as we held our first meeting of the membership year at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Ichiyo Instructors Liz Lwara and Terri Voegeli led a workshop on the Basic Flat Form. The branch and flower materials are placed the same as the slanting form but the arrangement is short in height.
UPRIGHT / SLANTING FORMS focus on the beauty of the branch lines;
FLAT FORM focuses on the width of the arrangement. The FLAT FORM can be created in a single moribana or in two low containers.
August 2023 Workshop - Two Containers
Two Container Forms
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.
July 2023 Workshop - Containers
Focus on Containers
July Workshop – Ichiyo School - Focusing on the Container
Liz Larwa and Terre Voegeli led this workshop on the role of containers in an Ikebana arrangement. Such a great meeting with two instructors as they encouraged us to try out containers we were not sure how to use.
“The role of the container is often to coordinate and harmonize many different kinds of flowers while providing its own special accent to the ikebana arrangement with its color and shape....
The arranger’s task is to determine how to use this man-made container to realize harmony between its color, shape and volume, and the water and plants it holds.”
Akihiro Kasuya, former headmaster - Ichiyo School
May 2023 Workshop - Freestyle
Freestyle - Weaving and Artistry
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.
April 2023 Workshop - Ikenobo
Ikenobo Traditional Form: Shoka Shofutai Isshu-ike
For our April meeting Cheryl Linck, an instructor in the Ikenobo School of Ikebana, demonstrated how to make a Shoka Shofutai Isshu-ike which is a one material Shoka with Iris.This is a traditional form having three main parts: Shin, Soe, and Tai. Though Cheryl explained the Issuike form we had to modified the arrangements using a second material.
March 2023 Workshop - Ichiyo Ikebana
Ichiyo Ikebana Basic Moribana Upright and Slanting Style
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.
February 2023 Workshop - Sogetsu Ikebana
Sogetsu Ikebana - Basic Upright Moribana Style
On a warm and wonderful February, Leslie Rosinski taught Sogetsu school of Ikebana, focusing on the Basic Upright Style - the very basis of Ikebana. We measured our stems and placed them at certain angles within the kenzan as to achieve a pleasing effect. We do many free-style arrangements, but it is always good for both the seasoned practitioner and beginners to step back to the basics to help us along our way within this beautiful art.
January 2023 Workshop - Ichiyo Ikebana
Ichiyo Ikebana - The Three Friends of Winter
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.
December 2022 Workshop - Ichiyo Ikebana
Ichiyo Ikebana - Holiday Centerpiece Workshop
For our December chapter meeting, Janet Knowlton of the Ichiyo School led our holiday centerpiece workshop. The arrangement could include a candle for a festive look with variety of different materials to add interest and compliment the arrangement. We hope everyone enjoys these throughout the holidays on your table, entryway, or sideboard.
November 2022 Workshop - Sogetsu Ikebana
Sogetsu Ikebana - Unique Autumn 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.
October Exhibition - Cranbrook House & Garden
Cranbrook Exhibition
Several of Ann Arbor’s members joined the Detroit Ikebana Chapter’s exhibition at Cranbrook House and Gardens the weekend of October 8th.
October 2022 Workshop - Ichiyo Vertical Ikebana
Ichiyo Ikebana - Advanced Vertical Form
At our October chapter meeting, Terre Voegeli, Ichiyo Instructor taught a workshop focused on the 1st Ichiyo Advance form, the Vertical Form. The major motif of this form is a sense of vertical height no matter the shape of the container. Our meeting was held in one of the Matthaei Botanical Garden greenhouses and all agreed that it was a fantastic venue.
September 2022 Workshop - 45th Anniversary and Gladiolas
Ichiyo School Ikebana
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.
August 2022 Workshop - Fruits & Vegetables
Ichiyo School Ikebana
Our instructor, Liz Larwa, from the Ichiyo school, led this outdoor summer chapter meeting creating arrangements utilizing fruits and vegetables. We had great fun with this theme for our last outdoor summer meeting. Next month we will start our regular chapter meetings at Matthaei.
