Austin Ikebana Group March Meeting

Ikebana Demonstration – Japanese Flower Arranging

Old and new Ikebana friends, Austin Ikebana Group is inviting you to join our March 6th event presented by Dr. Jenny Colegrove. In this class, Jenny will introduce her background of how she came from China to America, then discuss the aesthetic similarity of ikebana and watercolor painting. Then she’ll showcase a variation of Nageire style Ikebana arrangements. This flower arrangement will feature a tall vase or a vase with a small opening. “Nageire is one of the oldest and most beautiful styles of Ikebana” as written by some Ikebana masters. The theme of Jenny’s demonstration is “Flower for friendship”. Perfect for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, this arrangement highlights simplicity, harmony, and the natural beauty of materials. Jenny will also talk about how she has built friendships using flower arrangements.

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 by the (two days before event). Please email austinikebanagroup@gmail.com to RSVP by March 4th.

Speaker Bio: Born and raised in China, Dr. Jenny Colegrove received her Ph.D. in chemical physics from Kent State University in Ohio. Jenny worked in the high-tech industry in America for over 20 years, and recently published three books, including her memoir: Foolishly Brave Unconditionally Blessed, From a Chinese Girl to an American Working Mother.

Besides chemical physics, Jenny has been passionate about watercolor painting and Ikebana flower arrangement. Jenny has taken monthly lessons of Ikebana flower arrangement from masters of Ikenobo school, Sogetsu school, Ichiyo school, etc. While she has been studying Ikebana in recent years, she combined watercolor painting and Ikebana to create Ikebana paintings. She has been analyzing the aesthetic similarity of Ikebana and watercolor painting for three years. In recent couple of years, she has volunteered as the secretary and historian of the Austin Ikebana Group. She made and gave away many flower arrangement to friends and neighbors, since she believes it is more blessed to give than to receive.

To request more information about this meeting, please contact austinikebanagroup@gmail.com.

Austin Ikebana Group

austinikebanagroup@gmail.com