Carolyn Alter, Head Teacher of the Ohara School of Ikebana’s Oregon Chapter, will bring the beauty of kado (the way of flowers) to Portland Japanese Garden by teaching an introductory workshop. Students will receive a creative outlet, a respite from the fast speed of life, as well as the chance to connect with nature, nurture their spirit, and learn about an aspect of Japanese culture.
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has been translated as “living flowers” or “giving life to flowers,” and is unique from other approaches to flower arrangements. Workshop instructor Carolyn Alter will teach students how to “bring the essence of nature into their arrangements.”
The workshop will include a lecture on the basic principles of ikebana—its history, aesthetics, and mechanics—along with a demonstration by Carolyn and hands-on time for the students to create. Participants will learn basic Moribana Upright based on the curriculum set forth by the Ohara School of Ikebana.
About Carolyn Alter:
Carolyn Alter began studying in the Ohara School of Ikebana under Sensei Kitty (Natsue) Akre in 1993. She began teaching weekly classes and founded Wednesday’s Flowers in 2012. She is a long-time member of Portland Japanese Garden, Ikebana International and the North American Ohara Teachers Association. She has attended numerous ikebana conferences in the US and taken classes in Japan, chaired many exhibitions, given numerous demonstrations, and is certified as a First Term Master of the Ohara School of Ikebana. She is also the Head Teacher and Vice-President of the Oregon Chapter of the Ohara School. As a retired physical therapist, she appreciates the healing aspects of nature through practicing ikebana. She loves being outdoors, gardening, and the beauty of Japanese culture.
About the Ohara School of Ikebana
The Ohara School of Ikebana emphasizes connecting with nature season by season, utilizing the materials’ individual character, and arranging it in a naturalistic way. They are known for moribana, which broke with more traditional and formal vertical styles, creating new horizontal “landscape” arrangements, with flowers “heaped” (moru) in lower plate-like containers.
Feedback from past students:
It was a wonderfully supportive introduction in a gorgeous setting, with high quality instruction and materials.
Great class. Carolyn’s so good at explanation and encouragement.
I didn’t know anything about ikebana prior to this class, and I learned so much.
I appreciated the history in the first class. The approach in the class was great – demonstration, action, correction.
I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time and I am so grateful that the PJG is offering it!
Portland Japanese Garden would like to thank James F. and Marion L. The Miller Foundation and Oregon Arts Commission for their support of arts and culture programming.
