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
March 24th, 2026
The Annual Luncheon at Quail West was a beautiful and successful event, enjoyed by all who attended. A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation by Sogetsu Riji Master Kika Shibata, whose spectacular arrangements were greatly admired.
Guests also enjoyed a delicious luncheon, lovely flowers, and the pleasure of spending time with friends. The silent auction and raffles added to the festive atmosphere, making the event a memorable occasion for everyone.
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 April meeting featured a fascinating program on the symbolism of flowers in art, presented by Mimi Gallo, founder of Art Partners, Inc. Mimi shared an engaging look at floral imagery in art, from medieval tapestries and Dutch still lifes to the works of Manet and Van Gogh.
Members enjoyed learning how flowers have held a special place in human life since ancient times, serving as symbols of beauty, emotion, and expression across cultures and throughout history.
Following the presentation, flowers and foliage were provided for members to create an ikebana arrangement at home, featuring roses and sunflowers, two flowers Mimi had discussed in her program.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
Demonstration + Workshop: Found Objects in Ikebana
Demonstration + Workshop: Found Objects in Ikebana
Presenter: KristiPerrow
Naples Chapter member Kirsti Perrow will guide us through a delightful demonstration exploring the use of found objects in free-style Ikebana arrangements. 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 a “found object” that can be used as a container. Be creative, get wild and have fun. Please bring a Kenzan and clippers (scissors).
Flowers and greens 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.”
