Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has been translated as “living flowers” or “giving life to flowers.” Join us from 1:15-2:15pm for an ikebana presentation by Nana Bellerud from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.
About Nana Bellerud
Nana Goto Bellerud has been studying the Sogetsu School of ikebana since 2005 and continues to be inspired and have new insights from its teachings. Nana demonstrates, exhibits, and teaches ikebana at a wide range of venues including the Portland Art Museum, Portland and Gresham Japanese Gardens, various garden clubs, and schools. Through her demonstrations and workshops, she seeks to introduce others to the art of ikebana and to intrigue and inspire them. Beyond simply producing a beautiful work of art with flowers and natural objects, she shows her audience how ikebana explores artistic concepts such as balance, contrast, and negative space. Nana has been creating and posting daily ikebana on Instagram (nana_bellerud) and actively teaching via live interactive video since the pandemic hit.
Nana holds Master of Arts degrees in Political Science and Agribusiness Management from Mississippi State University and has taught Japanese Culture at Mt. Hood Community College. Nana is currently serving as President of Ikebana International Portland Chapter #47 and Branch Director of Sogetsu Portland. She is also a member of the Ikebana Iwaya Fund Board of Directors. Nana also enjoys Haiku and Tanka (Japanese short poems like Haiku but a little longer) and trains in race walking.
About The Sogetsu School of Ikebana
The Sogetsu School is known for its willingness to explore new ideas and materials. The founder, Sofu Teshigahara, broke away from tradition in 1927 to establish his new school based on the belief that anyone can create ikebana anywhere, and with almost anything. The Sogetsu philosophy advocates that ikebana should be part of a lifestyle, appreciated by many people from all over the world, rather than being considered an exclusive aspect of Japanese culture to be enjoyed by a limited number of people.
