Shelby Gardeners Club to host presentation on Japanese art of flower arranging

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Gardeners Club has announced that it will be hosting an educational presentation on the art of Japanese flower arranging this month.

The presentation, “Ikebana — The Japanese Art of Flower Arranging,” will take place at 1 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive. The fee to attend is $5 and the audience is limited to 40 people.

Leslie Rosinski, president of the Detroit Chapter of Ikebana International, will be talking about Ikebana International and its message of peace and understanding through the promotion of traditional Japanese arts.

Rosinski also will demonstrate flower arranging.

Rosinski, a Sogetsu School instructor, is asking everyone to come out and join her.

“The meaning of the title of the presentation is literally meaning ‘to give life to flowers,’” she said. “Ikebana is an art form which originated in ancient Japan. Ikebana artists use flowers and other natural elements to embody harmony, peace and beauty. Considerations of color, line, form and function are used as a guide in the creation of an arrangement.”

Ivy Schwartz, the club’s publicity director, said the Shelby Gardeners Club is excited to share the art of Japanese flower arranging with the greater community in the heart of southeast Michigan’s frequently bleak, frozen winter.

“We need the calming effect of beauty, order and simplicity through Ikebana, and an appreciation of nature’s gifts. We need this art to be an offset to today’s complexity,” she said.

Nadine Thacker, a Shelby Gardeners Club member, said the program promises to be an enjoyable break.

“We will learn from our Ikebana International ambassador about Japanese culture as she demonstrates the unique art of ikebana,” she said.

The Shelby Gardeners Club is made up of members of the community who together promote interest and knowledge in gardening, flower arrangement and ecology.

For further information, contact Schwartz at (586) 873-3782, email ShelbyTwpGardenClub@gmail.com or visit shelbytwp.org/communityserviceorganizations.