The Art of Ikebana and Bonsai

REGISTER HERE Saturday, March 21 from 1:00-3:00pm In honor of the approaching Spring and our newest exhibit The Great Wave: Japonisme at Hill-Stead, join us for a day of demonstrations celebrating ikebana and bonsai. Tickets $20 non-members | $15 members $10 children 12 and under Admission includes both lectures and entrance to the exhibition gallery. Historic House admission is separate.  1:00pm: Introduction to the Sogetsu School of Ikebana The word Ikebana comes from the Japanese words, “Ikiru” (to live) and “Bana”…

when

March 21, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

where

35 Mountain Rd
Farmington, CT United States

about

REGISTER HERE
Saturday, March 21 from 1:00-3:00pm
In honor of the approaching Spring and our newest exhibit The Great Wave: Japonisme at Hill-Stead, join us for a day of demonstrations celebrating ikebana and bonsai.
Tickets
$20 non-members | $15 members
$10 children 12 and under
Admission includes both lectures and entrance to the exhibition gallery. Historic House admission is separate. 
1:00pm: Introduction to the Sogetsu School of Ikebana
The word Ikebana comes from the Japanese words, “Ikiru” (to live) and “Bana” (flower). This lecture will introduce the “Way of the Flowers” or path of the flowers, explaining the traditional and aesthetic principles. When it’s combined with creative energies, the art form captures, expresses and enhances natural temporal beauty.
Sogetsu, a school within Ikebana, expresses this beauty and elegance of nature, through a transformation of living materials into a work of art. Bringing nature and humanity closer together, Ikebana is an over 1000 year old practice and an established traditional Japanese form 560 years ago.
The essence of Ikebana is in the human creativity which brings a beauty different from nature. It is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form that requires the skills like any art form in creating movement, line, form, texture, color, and harmony.
About Shizue Pleasanton
Shizue Pleasanton was born in Japan and has been studying classical Ikebana since 1967. Following her marriage in 1975, she continued her studies in the United States. She has achieved the Eighth Level Degree International Sogetsu Riji, the highest level of certification in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Shizue exhibited her artwork at the Japanese Embassy in London, Trinity Church, and at numerous floral shows during her brief time in England. In the United States, she has given lectures and demonstrations for many organizations including the New York Botanical Garden, Christie’s Auction House, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Shizue is the current Sogetsu Study Group Vice Chairman of Connecticut and a Sogetsu Ikebana instructor at the Silvermine School of Art in New Canaan, Connecticut.
2:00pm: The Art and History of Bonsai
Learn about the ancient Japanese art of growing and sculpting miniature trees. The word “Bon-sai” translates to “planted in a container”, and

originated in in ancient Chinese horticulture practices, before evolving under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Learn more about this history and enjoy an introduction to the techniques used to grow these micro ecosystems.
About The Bonsai Society of Greater Hartford
For over 60 years, the Bonsai Society of Greater Hartford has been bringing people together to learn and appreciate the art of bonsai. What started with a few local hobbyists has become an integral part of the bonsai community here in New England.

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