Programs and Events
2025–2026 Programs
Ikebana International Naples Chapter #160
This season we offer a rich variety of Ikebana demonstrations and opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts from November through May.
All meetings will be held at the Naples Botanical Garden, a beautiful setting for exploring the art and culture of Japanese floral design. Members are encouraged to attend these free monthly gatherings, which include Garden admission for attendees. Meetings feature live Ikebana demonstrations by experienced teachers and guest artists, as well as engaging cultural lectures and workshops, along with informal time to connect, learn, and share with our Ikebana community.
A full schedule of dates, topics, and presenters is listed below. Please review the details for each meeting to see whether materials are needed for a hands-on experience.
Featured Event:
Annual Ikebana Luncheon-2026 Registration is now closed
March 24th, 2026
8:30-9:30 a.m. Silent auction contributors: valet parking will begin at 8:30 and carts will be available. Note that the club will not provide helpers, but there will be some chapter members/helpers on hand to assist.
10 a.m. All attendees and guests: registration desk opens, silent auction and sale of raffle tickets commences. Potter, Kimiko Ikeda, will open her pop-up store. Note that cash is preferred for all purchases.
11 a.m. Program Commencement: welcome and introduction of Sensei Kika Shibata.
12:30 p.m. Luncheon is served.
1:45 p.m. Raffle draw commences.
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Silent auction winners pay for and take home their items .
Location: Quail West Golf & Country Club
2025–2026 Program Schedule
All programs take place at Naples Botanical Garden
Programs begin at 9:30 AM
Free for all current members and guests (including entrance to the Botanical Garden)
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 9:30am – noon
Demonstration: Incorporating Wood into Your Ikebana Design
Longtime Naples Chapter member and exquisite designer Loris Dallal shared creative techniques for integrating natural wood into Ikebana arrangements. She demonstrated how to use branches, driftwood, and carved forms to add structure, movement, and depth to our Ikebana work.
Our members enjoyed a free workshop following the demonstration to experiment with using wood in their
arrangements.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 9:30am – noon
“Iron Chef” Holiday Competition & Workshop
We celebrated the season with creativity and a workshop at our December Ikebana Program! Our talented club Senseis had a friendly Iron Chef–style challenge, each crafting a unique holiday arrangement using the same set of materials, in the style of their specific school. Our members then took part in a free hands-on workshop,creating their own arrangements using the same materials.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
Speaker: Ellen Kelley+ Outreach Workshop Discussion
Our club welcomed Ellen Kelley as the featured speaker for our January program. Ellen led a thoughtful conversation on expanding the reach of Ikebana throughout the greater Naples community. She also demonstrated how to create a simple arrangement in a coffee mug. Participants had the opportunity to practice this arrangement during the workshop so that more of us can share practical ways to bring Ikebana into public spaces.
In February, we paused our regular meetings for our Annual Exhibition.
Learn more here.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
The Shared Artistry of Ikebana and Bonsai
Members enjoyed an engaging program on bonsai presented by Dorothy and Joe Demarest of the Bonsai Society of Southwest Florida. To complement the presentation, our own Ikenobo Sensei, Stephanie English, created two ikebana arrangements that illustrated the shared principles of these traditional Japanese art forms.
Both bonsai and ikebana value asymmetry, minimalist design, and the thoughtful use of empty space to create balance and harmony. Each requires careful cutting, trimming, and shaping of plant materials to achieve expressive line and form. Deeply rooted in Japanese culture, the two arts reflect a profound connection between humanity and nature and an appreciation for beauty in imperfection. Both also rely on specialized containers—ceramic pots for bonsai and vases with kenzans for ikebana—to support and enhance the final composition.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
The Language of Flowers
Workshop and Lecture by Mimi Gallo, The Chair of Asian Art and History at ARTIS Naples.
The fascinating history of the symbolism of flowers will be presented using medieval tapestries to Dutch still lifes, and ending with Manet and Van Gogh.
From the earliest times, flowers have held a special place in our hearts and lives. The lotus flower is one of the most ancient symbols to appear in Asian and Egyptian art. Flower motifs adorn churches and temples, are incorporated into jewelry, and decorate everything from fabric to furniture. Flowers have played a vital role as a means of expression since time immemorial. As a declaration of love or as a gesture of thanks, or an offer of sympathy or congratulations, flowers are often the most eloquent and direct means of communication.
Mimi Gallo is the founder of Art Partners, Inc. a non-profit company that customizes art appreciation programs to fit academic curriculum. For the past 29 years she has taught classes at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, New York and has lectured for Renaissance Academy, Florida Gulf Coast University as well as art organizations and Road Scholars. She is currently the chair of Asian Art and History at ARTIS Naples and was fortunate to travel with the Cleveland Museum of art to China this past May.
Flowers and foliage will be provided for you to take home to create an arrangement that is inspired by Mimi’s discussion.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
Demonstration + Workshop: Found Objects in Ikebana
Demonstration + Workshop: Found Objects in Ikebana
Presenter: Kristi Perrow
Naples Chapter member Kirsti Perrow will guide us through a delightful demonstration exploring the use of found objects in Ikebana. From shells and stones to recycled materials and unexpected treasures, discover how to incorporate personal, meaningful elements into your designs.
A workshop will follow the demonstration.
Please search for “Found Object” that can be used as a container. Be creative, get wild and have fun. Please bring a Kenzan and clippers (scissors).
Flowers will be provided.
The 2026, January 16 – 18, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Artful Arrangements
Many of our Ikebana members participated in the Annual Artful Arrangements event in the Naples Art district, which pairs an artist’s work with an Ikebana arrangement. Our Sensei Margy Metzler hosted a demonstration on the opening day that highlighted three pairings for a delighted audience.
The gallery below is a sampling of the “masterpieces.”
