Evergreen trees have traditionally had a strong position in ikebana. Their sturdy character and the fact that they stay green even in the harshest winter brings a message of hope and stamina. It is possible to create a full ikebana arrangement with local materials even in the wintertime. Evergreen materials calm and inspire with hope for the coming year.
These 4 new instructors will discuss their experience with evergreen materials in Ikebana arrangements. They will demonstrate their favorite arrangement to date, using evergreens.

February 24 Workshop

Fee: No charge. Limited to 20 participants.
Workshop attendees will bring a container and their own evergreen materials to experience the joy of winter foliage in Ikebana arrangements. Evergreens will be the focus, but flowers and berries will of course be welcome in their arrangements.

One of the stars of the spring flowers is iris. Their dramatic stature, delicate form and phenomenal colors add strength and elegance to Ikebana arrangements. Using irises, these presenters will make arrangements that exemplify their Ikebana school, so we may all better understand the differences as well as the similarities of the schools of study.

March 24 Workshop

Fee: No Charge. Limited to 15 participants

The workshop will also focus on irises. Bring irises and a container to showcase the spring beauty of the flower.

This demonstration will focus on incorporating various dried, bleached and flowering branches with springtime flowers and greenery depicting the beauty of springtime in our WNC mountains.

April 28 Workshop

Fee: No Charge. Limited to 15 participants

Participants should bring greenery, branches and flowers which depict springtime and chose a form in your school to make in our workshop.

Limit 15

The hour-long program will be a presentation on the historic, Japanese Arts of Shibori, Sashiko and Boro. The history and techniques for each practice will be discussed and examples shown of textiles, projects and quilts incorporating these arts.

May 26 Sashiko Workshop

Fee: $10

Members will have an opportunity to sign up for a 1-hour workshop to learn how to create a Kinchaku bag decorated with Sashiko stitching. Workshop kits include fabric, Sashiko thread, needle, Sashiko pattern, cord, and bag assembly directions.

The Sashiko is hand stitched, and the bag is assembled using machine stitching.
The workshop will include:
-transferring the Sashiko design to fabric.
-instructions on Sashiko stitching.
-instructions on completing the assembly of the bag at home.

Cord can be a creative and expressive addition to our ikebana designs, particularly in freestyle arrangements where experimentation is encouraged. Thoughtfully incorporated, cord becomes more than a functional material — it transforms into a visual and structural element within the composition.

Consider wrapping a branch to emphasize line and movement, creating a delicate web of support that both stabilizes and decorates, or suspending a focal element to introduce dimension and intrigue. Cord can also be used to bundle materials together in an intentional, artistic way, adding texture and rhythm to the arrangement.

June 23 Workshop

Fee: No Charge.
In this workshop, we will explore how cord can become an integral design element in ikebana, particularly within freestyle arrangements where innovation and personal expression are encouraged. Available in a wide variety of sizes, textures, and colors, cord offers endless possibilities. Whether subtle and natural or bold and contrasting, it can enhance balance, unity, and visual interest, contributing to a truly distinctive and engaging outcome.

More information to follow to those that are signed up to participate.

Laura Felt and Dede Walton will discuss the origins of Art in Bloom - the interpretation of art - paintings, sculpture, textiles, pottery and more - using floral materials to create a new art form. They will focus on the process from selection of the art to containers, color, materials, and composition.

July 28 Workshop

No fee, limited to 15. Participants should bring the art they wish to interpret, container and all floral materials.

Description and photo coming soon.

September 22 Workshop

Description and photo coming soon.