February's program featured three "Future Stars of Ikebana", artists whose skill is steadily bringing them into the chapter's spotlight more and more frequently. They presented their unique versions of early springtime Ikebana.
Shioko
Miho Seab is an Ohara School artist who demonstrates and exhibits throughout
the Bay Area. Born in Kobe, Japan, Shioko came to this country in 1961 and
continued her studies with Hideshima Hosachi. She holds an Ohara School
teacher's certificate and in addition to her busy schedule, has taught Ikebana
to grade school children for many years. She has exhibited and demonstrated for
Ikebana International in the past and for Strybing Arboretum Society in many
other venues.
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Kay Gjeltema draws upon her
experiences in the Dakotas and New Mexico for inspiration and an appreciation
of the power of space and sparseness -- crucial elements in Ikebana. She is a
student of Soho Sakai, taking class in Albany. After working as a teacher, Kay
studied floral design at City College of San Francisco and now operates her own
floral business for a variety of clients in the community.
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Mitsuru
Hirano was born in Japan and graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a
major in painting. He saw an exhibition by Sogetsu Headmaster Sofu Teshigahara
and was tremendously impressed. After college he received a study grant from
the government of India and studied Indian music and painting in West Bengal.
After Mitsuru came to San Francisco he enrolled in the Ikebana program at San
Francisco City College, eventually becoming a student of Sogetsu mentor Soho
Sakai. His extensive travel and artistic training illuminate his Ikebana
creations.
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Chapter members exhibited arrangements from
various schools to the left and right of center stage. Click on the button to
see these photos. Click on thumbnails to see larger view.
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