Austin Ikebana Group January Meeting

Ikebana Demonstration (Japanese Flower Arranging)

Old and new Ikebana friends, Austin Ikebana Group is inviting you to join our January event. Alisan Clarke will be presenting two arrangements. One will feature water flowers. Ikebana places equal importance on space, balance, and the natural character of each material. When working with water flowers—blooms that are displayed floating or partially submerged—the composition becomes a meditation on stillness and fluidity. The other is a traditional arrangement for the Lunar New Year. As the Lunar New Year welcomes a fresh cycle of prosperity and possibility, Ikebana offers a serene and meaningful way to honor the season. Rooted in balance, mindfulness, and the celebration of natural form, Ikebana harmonizes beautifully with the themes of renewal, fortune, and family unity that mark the holiday.

This event is open to the public and free to attend as guest observers (adults only) with garden admission; free for Conservancy members (no flower materials are provided to guest observers). With limited seats in the Auditorium, pre-registration is required (two days before event). Please email austinikebanagroup@gmail.com to RSVP.

Speaker Bio: Alisan Clarke is an experienced floral designer and teacher, with a background concentrated in the study of Ikenobo, the oldest and most traditional style of Ikebana. She spent three years studying it in Japan from 1960 – 1963 and received her teacher certificate at the end of her studies. Alisan has taught floral design in various locations, including the USA, Turkey, and Germany. Her teaching experience ranges from show judges to florist to university students, having taught on the UT Austin campus as well as in her own studio classes. With art and flowers being a consistent part of her life, Alisan brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her craft.