Sponsored by Claremont Heritage and led by Auralynn Nguyen, the Garner House recently hosted an ikebana class. Ikebana is the art of arranging cut stems, leaves and flowers into containers. The form has evolved in Japan for more than seven centuries. Focused on ikebana principles with Claremont’s connection to ceramic art, students at the Garner House used fresh and dried materials to learn about line, color and mass with seasonal flowers.

Ikebana is one of the revered arts of Japan, bringing minimalistic sensibilities to flower arrangement for tea ceremonies. The Sogetsu School of Ikebana, established in 1927, sought to bring a modern vision to this traditional art with the philosophy that ikebana can be “made anywhere, anytime, by anyone.” Over the years, the dialogue between ceramic art and ikebana has evolved, with the vase and plants both being equally important elements in a composition.

(L-R) Teacher Auralynn Nguyen and student Janet Castro during a recent ikebana class at the Garner House. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger

With dried materials, not every arrangement needs to include water. Ikebana is Japanese for “making flowers alive.” Courier photo/Peter Weinberger