Silver-painted fern makes a good depiction of the snowy landscape we see right now in Halifax!
I hope you like it. —Miyako
My Ikebana: Snowy Image
SMU FASS 2019
Every year the St. Mary’s University community shares its creativity through the annual FASS (Faculty, Alumni, Student, Staff) exhibits at the St. Mary’s University Art Gallery.
(Poster from the SMU Art Gallery website.)
In collaboration with Dr. Linda Campbell, professor at the Department of Environmental Science, we had the chance to present ikebana at the 2019 FASS exhibit. Linda has been learning ikebana with Miyako since 2016. She had missed participating in our most recent exhibit at the Keshen Goodman Library last May; so, it was quite opportune that SMU Art Gallery was able to allocate space for ikebana.
Arrangement by Miyako.
The ikebana portion of FASS 2019 ran from Dec 3rd to 7th, 2019.
Arrangements by Dr. Linda Campbell.
….and a fun selfie of the people behind the works: Miyako and Linda.
Last but certainly not least, a big thank-you to Robin Metcalfe, director/curator and Adam Myatt for your kind assistance and patience to make this possible!
Welcome The Oxford Taproom!
Just across the street from our shop, at the iconic Oxford Theatre building, The Oxford Taproom by Garrison Brewing opened its doors.
Here is our little show of welcome for our new neighbour. We do enjoy their beers, so creating the ikebana arrangements were a double pleasure!
Tall Ship premium East Coast ale.
Lemon Drop dry hopped sour.
Ikebana can complement many different things by finding a connection and extending it into an arrangement. With the above, we played with the colour themes of the beer containers. The vivid hues were a joy to work with!
Hope to see you and say “kampai” at The Oxford Taproom some time!
My Ikebana: Shades of Green
This arrangement is all about using green material. We play with different shades of green—from dark to “regular” to light, yellow-green!
As well, there are all sorts of textures to have fun with…slightly rough & dull or smooth & glossy!
It was interesting to seek out each of the “green” characteristics and put them all together. Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. —Miyako
"Sō" Magazine October 2019
Our ikebana arrangement on the set of Mr. D (a CBC TV comedy series) is featured in the October 2019 edition of "Sō" (「草」) magazine, the official publication of the Sogetsu Teachers' Association.
A Plea To Help Sally Ravindra
It has recently been brought to our attention that our beloved potter, Sally Ravindra, has been devastated by Hurricane Dorian. Her house and pottery studio on Purcell’s Cove have been severely damaged. The insurance company has categorically stated it will not cover any damage on the house foundation, seawall and septic system caused by Hurricane Dorian. There are no emergency funds available to her.
Sally has always been there for the community. In fact, part of the area that has been washed away by Dorian was regularly used for community events/gatherings. As well, the retaining seawall that used to protect her house also protected her neighbours’ properties. That is gone now and needs to be rebuilt. Now, Sally needs the help of her community—local and global. Let us help her and hope she will make beautiful pottery for us again one day.
Click on poster to go directly to the GoFundMe page for Sally.
Please listen to the CBC information Morning interview here.
CBC News Information Morning (Sep 12, 2019)
Please click on the GoFundMe icon to donate. Every bit will count!
Thank you very much for your help and compassion.
My Ikebana: Autumn Time
Here is an arrangement that simply tells us that it is autumn!
I hope you like it. —Miyako
Autumn Origami Workshop
Finally, we are able to organize an origami workshop!
Details:
Date & Time: Oct 5th (Sat), 2:00-3:00 pm
Place: the ikebana shop
Fee: 7.00+HST (includes the paper) = 8.05 per person
Please see attached poster to see what we will be learning to make.
This workshop is suitable for "patient" beginners and above!
Maximum participants: 8 persons (first come first served!)
Please register with your payment to book your spot.
You can register in-store, by email or phone. Payments may be done in-store, by e-transfer (if registering by email) or with a credit card over the phone. Payments are non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.
My Ikebana: Putting A Slant
This arrangement takes into consideration the lines of the container. It is a metal container with sharp angled lines. The dried curly willow branches bunched together create a line that extends the flow of the container line in one direction.
Straight iris stems extend the movement upwards.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. —Miyako