‘MY FIRST IKEBANA’: JOIN A VIRTUAL HANDS-ON JAPANESE FLORAL TUTORIAL

The MHCC community is invited to “My First Ikebana,” a virtual, hands-on Japanese floral design tutorial, on Friday, May 28.

Nana G. Bellerud, an Oregon certified Sogetsu Ikebana Sensei, will join Mt. Hood’s Japanese Culture Club to lead the online Japanese style floral arrangement lesson.

Ikebana is a creative expression of blossoms, branches and stems that allow the creator to showcase a presentation of botanic beauty. The arrangements can be made “anytime, anywhere, by anyone,” says Nana Sensei.

The virtual event on Friday starts at 10 a.m. and can be accessed by students and faculty who RSVP before the event using this link.

Registration is open until the day before the event.

No prior floral experience is required, and students will find the natural ease of creating beautiful and thoughtful pieces through ikebana, learning its history along the way.

Natasha Horgan, Japanese Culture Club Representative, says participants “can take away knowledge about a new Japanese art form, and a little bit more of a cultural understanding.”

All that’s needed for Friday’s event, said Horgan, is a short list of materials, all of which can be found in and around the home.

A simple coffee mug or decorative cup of similar size will be needed, as the container. The color and design of the container will complement the arrangement. Scissors or shears to collect plant materials, a few branches with beautiful leaves, and nearby, neighborhood flowers will be sufficient.

Ikebana is a common art form in Japan and worldwide. Over 15 million Japanese practice it, creating sophisticated arrangements of live and dried materials. Minimalism is a major characteristic, a stark difference to western floral design. A common saying in ikebana is “Space is meant to be created, not filled.”

Nana Sensei describes ikebana as therapeutic and an ongoing, lifelong journey.

“Using your hands to touch natural materials allows you to ground yourself. You’re creating a small universe around you,” she says.

The intent of creating a piece with natural materials to express emotions is rooted in an art form that has been practiced since the 7th century. Originally found as offerings for alters, ikebana is prized as a compliment in nearly every situation – commonly found in art galleries and at celebrations, as well as offering support in moments of grief.

Virtual events offer a way to stay engaged with MHCC and its more than 20 active clubs while the campus remains in mostly remote operation. More events for students and the community can be found at https://www.mhcc.edu/Events-Calendar/.

These clubs and other extracurricular activities can help Mt. Hood students learn new skills and develop meaningful relationships while attending school.