Art in Bloom: Ikebana Workshop

Class Description

Instructor: Sandra Leonard, NGC Master Accredited Judge Medium: Flower Arranging Date: Thursday, April 16th, 2026 Time: 2 -3 pm Class fee: $15 (this event is a fundraiser for BRAF's Annual Fund) Skill level: Any Class size: 10 students, adults only Register by April 9, 2026 This workshop will cover the basics of Ikebana design including how to choose plant materials, containers, and methods of constructing a design. A focus on the principles of Ikebana -- simplicity, asymmetry, and balance -- will also be explored. Students should plan to bring: - A container for your design (any container will work). - A "kenzan" (pin holder), which is like a frog. Other methods of securing materials will be covered if you are not able to obtain a "kenzan." - Plant material: Flowers from the grocery store, greens from your garden or cuttings from indoor plants, dried material, driftwood. You won't need much, so don't go overboard. About the instructor: Sandra Leonard is a National Garden Club Master Accredited Judge. Sandra began Ikebana studies while living in Tokyo, Japan. "Just when I thought my in-class design was perfect, our instructor would stop by and remove about half of the plant material," says Leonard. And that's how Leonard learned the most important lesson of Ikebana: let the plant material speak and pay attention to what it has to say.