In 2024, Ikebana of Richmond (IOR) was invited to be a sponsor of the Samurai Armor Exhibit from the collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA). The 2024 Partnership with VMFA came to a close with IOR’s participation in Fine Arts and Flowers. Prior to the beginning of the November program, the IOR membership was treated to a brief review and summary as represented by all the projects undertaken and floral arrangements contributed. The following is a summary of that retrospective. You can find photos of each event in a link after each description. Projects Sponsor Dinner, April 15: 24 Arrangements To celebrate the opening of the Samurai Armor Exhibit, the sponsors were invited to a preview and dinner in the Marble Hall of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. IOR was asked to provide table arrangements and decorations and the museum provided a budget. The colors for the evening were red, yellow, white and blue. 17 IOR members made 24 arrangements at the museum on the Sunday Afternoon prior to the dinner. The following day, all the arrangements and decorations were placed on tables. Those gathered for the dinner were delighted with the creative display of Ikebana which set an artistic tone for the evening. Each arrangement was accompanied by a card providing information about IOR. In addition, Annette Ernst designed a large floral exhibit in the entrance hall at the request of the VMFA Hirschler Endowment for Flowers, and Evelyn Klumb hand crafted origami helmets to accompany the floral designs. Throughout the evening, IOR was cited many times for its efforts. View Sponsor Dinner Photos The Council of VMFA Luncheon, May 6: 20 Arrangements Because IOR was a sponsor of the Samurai Armor Exhibit, the council requested IOR to provide table arrangements for their May luncheon and provided a budget to cover materials. Seventeen IOR members gave their time to create 20 floral arrangements on Sunday afternoon prior to the luncheon. The following morning, these were placed on dining tables in Marble Hall. Blue was the theme color and the containers were purchased by IOR for the event. Libby Haynes was charged with creating a special arrangement which was presented to Kathryn Gray during the luncheon in recognition of her work. Evelyn Klumb contributed origami helmets and Carol Hutton provided Koinobori. Those who attended were charmed with the creative display of Ikebana. Each arrangement was accompanied by a card identifying the IOR Ikebana artist and their school. At the end of the luncheon, all arrangements were sold. View Council Luncheon Photos “How…Do You Make and Ikebana Arrangement,” Program May 17 and November 7, 9 Arrangements The VMFA Education Programs Manager requested a meeting with members of IOR to plan a program to be called “How…do you make an Ikebana arrangement?” IOR eagerly embraced this opportunity and the program was developed to include a slide presentation featuring a brief history of Ikebana, descriptions of the schools participating in the program and information about IOR. Alice Litchfield did a live demonstration of a basic Ikebana arrangement and individual IOR members spoke about their school and arrangement. Libby Haynes provided a Sogetsu upright moribana arrangement photo, and the VMFA staff with the assistance of IOR designed a flyer to promote the program which was placed on the VMFA website. The "How To" program received rave reviews and was described as stunning. There were over 115 guests, which was a record for VMFA. Plus, the Education Programs Manager pointed out the audience gave a standing ovation at the end. She went on to share positive remarks from the survey which VMFA conducted. A modified version of the program was later presented on November 7th to the IOR membership (See the 2024 November Program under Recent Events). Many thanks to all those who participated: Evelyn Klumb (Ikenobo), Alice Litchfield (Ichiyo), Laura Anne Brooks (Ikenobo), Judy Sheldon (Ohara), Diane Burgess (Sogetsu), Libby Haynes (Sogetsu), Annette Ernst (Keika-Kazan), Elizabeth Biddle (Kado Sensho Ikenobo), Grace Morris, Sandy Haigh, Alison Munoz and Marga Cahoon. View "How... Do You Make and Ikebana Arrangement" Photos Weekly Arrangements for Floris and Amuse Restaurants, May 10 - August 4, 55 Arrangements When the VMFA Samurai Armor Exhibit drew to a close, we learned that approximately 100,000 people toured from April 20th to August 4th. IOR was an active sponsor from the very beginning, and everyone who contributed to this effort played a major role. Weekly from May 10th to July 25th, Ikebana of Richmond members gave their time and artistry in designing and placing 55 arrangements in Floris and Amuse restaurants. IOR received many fine complements from the staff who also shared positive comments of their customers. Special thanks go to Libby Haynes and Annette Ernst who acted as coordinators. Weekly, they greeted arrangers at Floris and also returned to make sure that each arrangement had plenty of water and was looking its best. Evelyn Klumb also helped with encouraging words for all. Thank you to the following: Libby Haynes, Annette Ernst, Evelyn Klumb, Judy Sheldon, Laura Anne Brooks, Elizabeth Biddle, Alice Litchfield, Diane Burgess, Kumiko Suzuki, Janice Whitehead, Joann McNabb, Marga Cahoon, Theresa Redd, Sandy Haigh, Grace Morris, Helena Arouca, and Marty Jones. View Weekly Arrangement Photos Special Activities To support this special opportunity, members developed a beautiful special edition newsletter as well as website and social media content and photos. When there was a need for an arrangement for a reception, IOR rose to the occasion. Through these activities, our membership and volunteers were kept informed and relations with associated groups were further enhanced. View Special Activities Photos Fine Arts and Flowers, October 23 – 27 During the four days of this exhibition of floral designs interpreting museum artwork, 20,000 guests attended. Eight members of IOR participated as exhibitors including one large Ikebana display outside on the lawn by the Chihuly water garden. The exhibitors were Laura Anne Brooks (Ikenobo), Annette Ernst and Evelyn Klumb (Ikenobo), Marga Cahoon and Theresa Redd (Sogetsu), Kumiko Suzuki (Sogetsu), Grace Morris (Sangetsu), and Libby Haynes (Sogetsu). In addition, IOR was asked to conduct a workshop about designing a basic Ikebana arrangement on Sunday, October 27th at VMFA. Three schools were represented by teachers of the Ikenobo (Annette Ernst), Ohara (Judy Sheldon) and Sogetsu (Libby Haynes) schools. We were also delighted to learn that our workshop sold out within a day and all 24 seats were filled. Members can take pride in knowing that IOR and Ikebana has been introduced to many new people throughout Virginia and beyond as a result of this wonderful partnership. View Fine Arts and Flowers Photos Laura Anne Brooks, Annette Ernst and Evelyn Klumb, Marga Cahoon and Theresa Redd Libby Haynes, Kumiko Suzuki, Grace Morris
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