VMFA - Ilse Beunen Sogetsu demonstration and workshops & Ben Huybrechts photography workshop

Ilse Beunan's first teacher was Kobayashi Miwako, from which she learned the beauty and the basics of Sogestu Ikebana. After moving to Yokohama in 1995, she continued studying with her current teacher, Crivelli Joko. She holds the rank of Jonin Somu in the Sogestu School. In 2000 she returned to Belgium and started her Ikebana atelier. She is working hard to increase the awareness for Ikebana. She teaches online and in-person, giving workshops abroad and writing books. After obtaining her teaching certificate in 1997, she taught Ikebana to Japanese and foreigners.

All Photos taken by Ben Huybrechts at the VMFA. His biography is below.

Ben Huybrechts graduated from university with a Master in Metallurgical Engineering. Ben left for Japan, where he started an Academic Career.  He made it up to a professor position at a Japanese University.  Still living in Japan, he switched to business as a representative for the Belgian Flanders Government, helping Japanese
companies to get established in Flanders. 
After his return to Belgium in 2000, he was co-founder of the software company, WHISE of which he was co-CEO for 20 years. Starting a Creative Career—The urge to start a creative career grew over the years.  He photographed numerous Ikebana demonstrations and exhibitions.  In 2021 Ben joined Ilse full-time in her Ikebana business.  
As a photographer and marketeer, he now combines his passion for teaching, photography, and social media. Ilse & Ben made their home multi-functional and the living room doubles now a photography studio.