Honoring Seattle Art Museum’s 90th Anniversary
90 years ago SAM was started right here in Volunteer Park at the stunning Seattle Asian Art Museum!
We are honoring SAM’s 90th by presenting the Sogetsu Ikebana, which displays Japanese artistry, nature, and living sculpture. Visitors will be dazzled by Ikebana on display throughout the Conservatory plant collection by nine artists from the local Sogetsu School in recognition of contributions of Asian artists to Volunteer Park.
Contributing Artists: Fanny Yao (Director, Mercer Island Sogetsu Branch), Emily Allsop (VPC Gardener) and other artists from the Sogetsu School
Join us during the last week of June at the Conservatory to celebrate our neighbor’s Emerald Anniversary! Capping the festivities on Saturday, July 1, our very own seasonal gardener and local musician TROOMS will play live music from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.
The public is invited to experience this special treat for the senses - an intermingling of diverse artistic expression from our local community artists with the lush setting of the Conservatory houses, each their own work of art curated by our talented Conservatory Garden team. Take a moment to reflect on the 90 year history of global art in our city and right here in our neighborhood thanks to the Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Asian Art Museum.
Learn more about the Seattle Asian Art Museum and plan your next visit.
From Sogetsu - Mercer Island Sogetsu Branch:
The basic principle of the Sogetsu School is that Ikebana can be done anywhere, anytime, and with any material. Its curriculum, divided into 4 basic courses and freestyle work for advanced students, encourages the application of art principles over the more traditional, rigid rules of arrangement advocated by other schools of Ikebana. The Sogetsu School is headquartered in Tokyo and has 120 branches and study groups around the world.
From the Sogetsu School Headquarters’ Iemoto Akane Teshigahara:
“Flowers become human in Ikebana.”
This quote by our first Iemoto Sofu Teshigahara is the starting point of Sogetsu Ikebana.
The heart of a person who arranges Ikebana is reflected directly in that work, and Ikebana becomes that person.
That’s why Ikebana is infinitely wide and profound, liberated, and fun.
From the moment you want to express something with a piece of flower in your hand, a world of your own creation begins.
Always new, always beautiful ──
While facing the rapidly, ever-changing times, I sincerely hope that we can share the joy of creation with plants in our hands with as many people as possible all around the world.