Ohara Portland Formalizes Study Group
Ohara School of Ikebana Portland Study Group held its first general meeting on April 26, 2016. Nine members were in attendance for the short business meeting followed by an educational program on containers.
President Carolyn Alter presented the history and plans for the future of the Study Group and introduced the new board members: Vice President Sawako Yoshikawa, Treasurer Karen Takahashi, and Secretary Barbara Beers. Ohara School of Ikebana Japan has updated their requirements for overseas study groups, including minimum number of members, officers, and general meetings in order to be approved.
For the program Carolyn provided each attendee with a detailed, illustrated four-page description of Ikebana containers. This included the history, basic selection principles, terminology for, and accessibility of various Ohara School containers. She and Karen displayed several unique containers of their collection, ranging in materials from bamboo and bronze to ceramic and basketry. They showed how each could be used for various arrangements.
The group plans two general meetings per year, next being their Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.