Naples Chapter of Ikebana International
Naples Botanical Garden
The Naples Chapter of Ikebana International is about the art of Japanese flower arranging and so much more. We celebrate nature in flower arranging, the interesting and different cultures of Japan, and "Friendship through Flowers," which is our motto.
The Naples Chapter is one of the larger chapters in the United States with about 80 members. We generally meet the first Wednesday of the months of November through May at Naples Botanical Gardens. Our meetings are open to the public.
MEETING INFORMATION
You are welcome to attend any two of our monthly meetings as our guest. Simply send us an email and let us know you are coming. Interested in joining? Click the "Membership Information" in red below which will take you to the membership section.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
NAPLES IKEBANA EXHIBIT AND PREVIEW PARTY
Ikebana International Exhibit
February 23-25, 2024, Friday-Sunday
"Floral Art of Ikebana: An Inspirational Exhibition"
Come enjoy the Japanese art of flower arranging…and so much more:
-Ikebana arrangements from several schools of ikebana
-Demonstrations in the garden each day
-Children’s activity each day from 10:30-12:00
-Ginza sale of containers, floral art tools, Japanese items
-Opportunity to sign up for classes
-A beautiful day in the garden!
Admission to the exhibit is free, but you will have to pay an entrance fee to enter the Naples Botanical Garden unless you are already a member of the Garden or Ikebana Naples.
Members and Guests are welcome
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
Meetings and Events
Join Us for "Friendship through Flowers"
We meet monthly, November through May, at the Naples Botanical Garden in the Buehler Auditorium which is part of the the FGCU Research Center (map below). Our programs start with a small social period followed by a short business meeting and then our monthly program which often incorporates a workshop. The workshop is open to anyone who makes a prior reservation by emailing us at Ikebananaples@gmail.com. There is usually a nominal materials charge for the workshop.
Sogetsu...Sue Pigman
You do not have to be a member of Ikebana or pay an entrance fee to attend our meetings. Please check out our monthly programs and experience the joy of ikebana and "Friendship through Flowers." If you are not a member of our chapter, but wish to attend any of our programs or events, with the exception of the "Members Only" events, please let us know you are coming by sending an email to
Our meeting time schedule is:
9:30 AM - Friendship through Flowers social period
10:00 AM - Business Meeting
10:30 - Program
11:30 - Workshop
Ikebana #160 Programs 23-24
October: Date and Time TBA
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Place: Buehler Auditorium; Naples Botanical Garden
Time: 9:30 social, 10:00am meeting
Activity: Welcome back coffee with a Ginza
Cost: Free
Guests Welcome
We need you!
To Volunteer
The following positions still need to be filled.
Co-Chair Luncheon
Publicity
Preview Party Chair & Co Chair
Website & Newsletter trainee
If interested please email
December 6, 2023
Our Anniversay Tea will be at Perla Chung beautiful home. This is a members only event. More information on the Member's only page
Directions to Buehler Auditorium, Naples Botanical Garden. The Buehler Auditorium is located off the Staff Parking area.
Here is a photo of the entrance which is on the right side of this sidewalk.
Membership
Learn more about ikebana with us...
Our requirements for joining are simple. First, you must attend one of our meetings, be they in person or on Zoom. You are welcome to attend any two of our meetings as our guest.
Annual dues of $90 per year ($30 after Feb. 1) are collected by March 31st of every year. We also offer associate memberships at $40 per year for anyone belonging to another Ikebana International Chapter.
Ohara Marilyn McGrown
If you would like to know more about joining our organization, please contact us and our membership chairman will contact you. You may attend any two meetings before becoming a member.
If you decide to join, download the application form using the link below, print it, fill it out, contact us again, and our membership chairman will give mailing instructions.
We find that our members enjoy their membership more when they take an active role in our organization and participate in one of our many committees and activities. Please let us know how you would like to participate by indicating your area of interest on the membership application.
Membership benefits include:
Naples Chapter Meetings – these meetings provide a regular forum for members to study, exhibit, and participate in ikebana demonstrations. Luncheons, flower arranging demonstrations, special tours and lectures on related arts are other typical program activities.
Ikebana International Magazine – Issued three times a year with color plates of ikebana arrangements and other articles about Japanese arts and culture.
Regional Conference/World Conventions – Regional conferences are held for cultural and educational purposes throughout the world. A World Convention is held in Japan every five years. Conferences also take place throughout Europe. If you are traveling in North America, check out other ikebana chapters; you are welcome to join their meetings. The Ikebana International website has all the details on future conferences.
Availability to enjoy ikebana lessons in the Ikenobo School, the Kado Sensho Ikenobo School, the the Ohara School, and the Sogetsu schools of ikebana. You do not, however, have to be an I.I. #160 member to take lessons.
Opportunity to attend our annual members only tea in December and to place an arrangement(s) in our exhibit in February of each year.
Click on this link for the application form.
Exhibit of Ikebana Chapter #160 Arrangements
Preview Party
On Thursday, February 22, from 5:30 -7:00 a Preview Party will be held next to the Kapnick Center at the Naples Botanical Garden. This annual event will include delicious hors d'ouvres with a japanese flair, as well as one beverage -- wine, beer, or non-alcoholic options included. Additional beverages may be purchased. The cost is $40 per person.
Please bring friends and enjoy this prelude to our beautiful exhibit in a peaceful, relaxed setting before it is opened to the public.
For reservations email us HERE and we will let you know where to send your payment. Tickets must be purchased in advance; the deadline is January 26.
Photos of Members' Arrangements, 2023 Exhibit
Click on a photo to enlarge it. When the photo is enlarged, use arrows at right and left of photo to scroll through enlargements.
Miniature arrangements have a black background. Standard sized arrangements have a white or slatted wood background.
Virtual Exhibit of Members' Arrangements
In 2021, due to the restrictions imposed by the Corona Virus, the Naples Ikebana Chapter was unable to hold its traditional exhibit at the Naples Botanical Garden. Instead members made arrangements at home and submitted the photographs to the chapter. A video was compiled and shown in the Kapnick Hall of the Naples Botanical Garden, complemented by informational posters and live arrangements representing our schools. We hope you experience the beauty and tranquility of ikebana arrangements as you view Serenity in Bloom.
Click to view 2021 Virtual Exhibit
Use your computer's keys to adjust volume of background music
Ikebana Naples Luncheon
Margy Metzler (Sokatoku)
Kado Sensho Ikenobo School of Ikebana
Inagugural Recipient of The Midori Tanimune Memorial Teaching Scholarship. Sensei Margy also is the proprietor of the Fort Myers, FL based Kei-Ran school of Design.
Enjoy a magical demonstration as Sensei Margy Metzler takes you on a journey of discovery of this little know school of Ikebana. Those who attend this event will also enjoy a silent auction of beautiful floral containers and arrangements, table centerpieces by our members, a delicious luncheon, and an opportunity to visit with friends and members who share the love of ikebana.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The Club at Mediterra
15755 Corso Mediterra Circle
Naples, FL 34110
10:00am Silent Auction and Raffle
11:00am Demonstration begins
12:30pm Lunch is served
This is always a popular event and an excellent way to learn what ikebana is all about -- we hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, contact Ikebana Naples.
Schools and Lessons
We are fortunate to have four schools of ikebana that we study in the Ikebana Naples Chapter. Each has its own distinct characteristics but all embody the simplicity and elegance of ikebana arrangements.
Ikenobo............ Marcia Norberg
This section provides an explanation of each school and offers information about private and group lessons that are offered.
You do not need to be a member of I.I. #160 to take lessons, but you do have to be a member to participate in our exhibit.
Ikenobo
The Ikenobo school of ikebana uses the phrase, “Origin of Ikebana” because it was the original “school” of ikebana. This school has evolved significantly over 555 years. The current headmaster, Sen’ei Ikenobo is the 45th headmaster and his daughter, Senko Ikenobo, is the headmaster designate.
The Ikenobo school of ikebana has styles of arranging that are complex and simple at the same time and all reflect an understanding and great appreciation of nature.
The Ikenobo School offers two lessons per month from November through April. Below are some arrangements by our two sensei (teachers), Stephanie English and Marcia Norberg.
- For more detailed information about Ikenobo and lessons visit their website HERE. You may also email the sensei at naplesikenobo@gmail.com.
Ikenobo Arrangements by Stephanie English
Click on each photo to enlarge it.
Ikenobo arrangements by Marcia Norberg
Click on each photo to enlarge it.
Kado Sensho Ikenobo
Kado Sensho Ikenobo school is a Japanese national organization founded in 1930 by Yudo Moroizumi, the great-grandfather of current Iemoto Yoriko Moroizumi. The characteristic of our school is shown in the variety of flower shapes that we have used and that we continue to use and to preserved classical flowers designs such as Rikka , Nageire, Seika and Moribana and have developed new flowers such as natural flowers, free flowers, colorful flowers, and ichishi-ichika ( which loosely translated means love and understand of the season of flowers or one with the seasonal flowers)
The designs of Kado are therefore referred to as "Ikebana Flower Arranging" and specialists of the ways of the Kado are called "Kado-ka" meaning flower masters. Kado Sensho Ikenobo prides itself in creativity and the use of only plant material in the designs. We are one with nature!
Kado Sensho Ikenobo.........Margy Metzler
Margy Metzler is the sensei for the Kado Sensho Ikenobo school. She offers zoom and in person lessons as well as demonstrations. Below are some of Margy's arrangements.
Click here to learn about Margy and her lessons.
Kado Sensho Arrangements by Margy Metzler
Click on each photo to enlarge it.
Ohara
Unshin Ohara founded Ohara School of Ikebana in 1895. He strove to express the distinctive beauty of natural scenery of the four seasons. It's very important to use the seasonal floral materials (e.g. cherry blossoms in spring, Japanese iris in summer) even though many flowers are available all year long nowadays. Knowledge of the environment and natural growth characteristics are essential.
In the beginning of the 19th century, Japan opened its doors to the outside world for the first time in 250 years. Many new floral materials from the West flooded into the country, and Unshin Ohara came up with the new styles of Ikebana, which use a low, wide bowl with kenzan (a needle-point flower holder) called Moribana (which literally means "piled up flowers"). This innovation is universally recognized as the birth of modern Ikebana.
Ohara............Goldie Wetcher
By using only natural materials such as branches, leaves, flowers and berries, arrangements recreate traditional landscaping or sometimes contemporary styles. Vases are basic but versatile tall vases and low bowls.
Kaoru Miyagi Sweet offers lessons in the Ohara school of Ikebana.
Click here to learn more about Kaoru and her lessons.
Click here for the registration form for Kaoru's lessons.
Ohara arrangements by Kaoru Sweet
Click on each photo to enlarge it.
Sogetsu............June Rickard
Sogetsu
In 1927, when everybody believed practicing ikebana meant following established forms, Sofu Teshigahara recognized ikebana as a creative art and founded the Sogetsu School.
Anyone can enjoy Sogetsu ikebana anytime, anywhere, using any material. You can place Sogetsu ikebana at your door, in your living room or on your kitchen table
Sogetsu ikebana enhances any hotel lobby or banquet room, shop windows and huge public spaces. It will suit any kind of space, Japanese or Western, and enrich its atmosphere.
For more information click on Sogetsu.
We have three members who teach Sogetsu in the Naples area
- Carol Brocklesby
- Loris Dallal
- June Rickard
To reach any of these sensei (teachers) email us Ikebananaples@gmail.com and we will forward your request to the respective sensei who will contact you.
Below are photographs of arrangements by each of the sensei in the Sogetsu School.
Sogetsu............Carol Brocklesby
Click on each photo to enlarge it..Sogetsu............Loris Dallal
Click on each photo to enlarge it..
Sogetsu............June Rickard
Click on each photo to enlarge it..Resources and Links
There are numerous websites and newsletters that offer opportunities to learn about Ikebana as well as Japanese crafts and customs. Also, sister chapters throughout the world have articles exploring schools and other information. Here is a partial list of resources available.
Sogetsu..........Loris Dallal
OUR SISTER CHAPTERS IN FLORIDA
IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL - NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICAN REGION WEBSITE
IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE
NORTH AMERICAN IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL WEBSITES
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Chicago, Illinois
- Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
- Detroit, Michigan
- Hawaii, USA
- Houston, Texas
- Miami, Florida
- Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Monterey Bay, California
- Portland, Oregon
- San Francisco, California
- Washington, District of Columbia
IKEBANA SCHOOLS
NEWSLETTER CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN MIAMI – This newsletter contains lots of great information about Japanese culture and Japanese activities taking place in Japan and in Florida.
IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL CHAPTERS AROUND THE WORLD
If you are traveling, you are always welcome at a local Ikebana chapter. For chapters elsewhere throughout North & Central America, and their program information click here.
For Ikebana International headquarters and a complete listing of chapters around the world– click here
THE IWAYA FUND – how you can help
The Iwaya fund is an important charitable organization benefitting Ikebana chapters and individual Ikebana school chapters as well. Please click here to learn more about how you can benefit Ikebana and even your own chapter with a tax deductible donation.
