I LOVE anything Japanese. I appreciate the culture’s discipline, the achievement of the beautiful with minimal elements. It’s something I struggle with.
If there’s one show that I look forward to, it’s the annual exhibition of the Davao chapter of the Ikebana society. Surprisingly, this year’s show turned out a bit more exciting. The presence of the “blooming” artists made it so.
It’s undeniable that the long time members of the society have the touch and the proficiency for Japanese art of flower arranging. However, the need to infuse a new breed of artists into their club to continue the legacy that took root in Davao almost fifty years ago is necessary.
Jing Puentespina, who has been a member of the club for ten years, serves her first term as president. She’s planning for a fruitful year ahead with lots of workshops for the members.
There is a process to becoming a member. One has to be invited to the club, she said. There’s a selection committee which is passed to the board for deliberation.
Ikenobo (the origin of Ikebana) and Sogetsu (freestyle) workshops for the members are scheduled. “It’s done to train the ‘young blood’ so they gain the confidence on their participation in the annual exhibition.”
The exhibit though only happens once a year. But under Puentespina’s two-year term, it’s one of her projects to share and educate the public of what the Ikebana is about. She’s proposing to tie-up with the mall for a monthly display of the members’ creations in a nook or booth, like a small exhibit.
These exposures may spark the interest of many, and in turn, welcome new members to the club.
As much as they like to hold free public workshops to entice more members, it’s not easy to organize as only certified Ikebana teachers are allowed to conduct it.
“We have 36 active members now and 40 to 50 active members is a good number. It’s manageable,” she said.
Another plan of Puentespina, who is in the flower business, is to take the members to a field trip to familiarize them with the different foliage available locally.
“My dream for the club is to grow and have new members from the younger generation, and for the people of Davao to appreciate Ikebana, the Japanese way of arranging flowers.”
It looks like the club is on the right track. The young new members have proven themselves to be worthy members of the organization when they presented their arrangements in the recent exhibition.
They have the taste. They have the touch. And their aesthetics, even as younglings in the league, can make their seniors proud.
I am looking forward to more floral opuses of the new blood and to see more of their kind to join the Ikebana soon.
Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com. For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com