Farmingdale To Host Ikebana Workshops

From Farmingdale Village Cultural Arts Committee: Farmingdale Village’s Cultural Arts Committee will host an Ikebana workshop on Sunday, October 14 at Farmingdale Village Hall.

Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, which originated centuries ago in Buddhist temples. Although it originally served a religious purpose, today it is also a secular art form recognized around the world. Yet it is not simply used for decoration, but embodies a meditative process that allows the designer to appreciate the beauty and harmony found in nature, thus increasing inner peace.

The workshop sessions will be led by Yoshie Takahashi, an expert senior professor with over 40 years of experience in the Ikenobo School, one of the oldest of the Ikebana schools, or styles, of flower arranging. She began studying Ikebana in Japan, and continued after moving to the US, where she has led demonstrations, conducted workshops and exhibited her arrangements at venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asia Society in New York City, as well as Hofstra University, the Planting Fields Arboretum and the Japanese Stroll Garden here on Long Island.

Two Ikebana workshop sessions are offered, at 11 AM and 1:30 PM. The sessions include an introduction to Ikebana, and a demonstration by Ms. Takahashi, as well as a hands-on workshop in which participants will be able to create their own arrangements to take home. To register, contact Ann Rodenburg at Farmingdale Village Hall, 516-249-0093 extension 204 for details. Seating is limited, register by October 5.

Image via Shuttershock