Programs and Events
2025–2026 Programs
Ikebana International Naples Chapter #160
Our 2025–2026 season offers a rich variety of demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and community-building opportunities for members of all experience levels from November through May.
Most meetings will be held at the Naples Botanical Garden in Kapnick Hall—a beautiful, spacious setting ideal for exploring the art of Japanese floral design.
Members are warmly encouraged to attend these free monthly meetings (which include free Garden admission for attendees), where you'll enjoy:
Live Ikebana demonstrations by experienced teachers and guest artists
Interactive workshops to expand your technique and creativity
Our popular Members' Ginza, where you can buy or sell Ikebana containers, tools, books, and floral-related treasures
Informal opportunities to connect, learn, and share with fellow Ikebana enthusiasts
A full schedule of dates, topics, and presenters is listed below. Please check our website and email announcements regularly for updates.
Featured Event:
Annual Ikebana Luncheon
March 24th, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Quail West Golf & Country Club
2025–2026 Program Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at Naples Botanical Garden – Kapnick Hall
Programs begin at 9:30 AM
Free for all current members and guests (including entrance to the Botanical Garden)
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 9:30am – noon
Demonstration: Incorporating Wood into Your Ikebana Design
Presenter: Loris Dallal
Join longtime Naples Chapter member and exquisite designer Loris Dallal as she shares creative techniques for integrating natural wood into Ikebana arrangements. Learn how the organic beauty of branches, driftwood, or carved forms can add structure, movement, and depth to your work.
There will be time for a free workshop following the demonstration. Please bring a favorite container, kenzan, Ikebaba scissors and any "wood" material that you may wish to incorporate into your design.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 9:30am – noon
“Iron Chef” Holiday Competition & Workshop
This meeting is being held at Buehler Auditorium, which is where we have met in the past. When you drive into the garden, take the first Rt. It’s the second building on your left.
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Celebrate the season with creativity and a workshop at the December Ikebana Program! Our talented club Senseis will compete in an Iron Chef–style challenge, each crafting a unique holiday arrangement using the same set of materials, in the style of their specific school.
Following the lively demonstration, our members are invited to take part in a free hands-on workshop, creating their own arrangements using the same materials.
Members should bring a container, a kenzan, and Ikebana scissors to participate.
Flowers and foliage will be provided so you can explore the ideas presented.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
Speaker: Ellen Kelley+ Outreach Workshop Discussion
Thanks to a grant from the Ikebana Iwaya Fund, our club is delighted to welcome Ellen Kelley as the featured speaker for our January program—an inspiring lecture and hands-on workshop.
Ellen will lead a thoughtful conversation on expanding the reach of Ikebana throughout the greater Naples community. She will also demonstrate how to create a simple arrangement in a coffee mug—a charming and accessible design perfect for use in outreach and community engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to practice this arrangement during the workshop. Ellen Kelley, a Sensei in the Kado Sensho Ikenobo school, will lead an inspiring conversation on expanding the reach of Ikebana throughout the greater Naples community. Thanks to a grant from the Ikebana Iwaya Fund, our club is delighted to welcome Ellen as the featured speaker for our January program—a rewarding lecture and workshop.
Ellen will share practical ways to bring Ikebana into public spaces and everyday life, helping us share the joy of our art form beyond our club. As part of this program, we will have a hands-on outreach opportunity in partnership with St. Matthew’s House, where we’ll guide their staff and residents in creating a simple floral arrangement, on January 7th. More details to follow.
Date 2: Community Outreach at St. Matthew’s House – January 7
As a continuation of Ellen’s program, club members will take part in a special outreach activity in partnership with St. Matthew’s House. Together, we’ll guide staff and residents in creating their own simple floral arrangements, sharing the joy and mindfulness of Ikebana with others.
Further details about time, location, and materials will be provided soon.
Presented by: www.ikebanaiwaya.org
February 2026
This month, we pause our regular meeting for the Annual Exhibition, February 6–8.
Join us as an exhibitor or visitor at this remarkable Ikebana event.
Learn more here.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
Workshop: Build a Bonsai-Inspired Design
Build a Bonsai-Inspired Design
The Harmony of Ikebana and Bonsai - Richard Owens
Our club is delighted to welcome Richard Owens, esteemed member of the Bonsai Society of Southwest Florida, as the featured guest for our March program—a captivating demonstration and lecture exploring the shared artistry of Ikebana and Bonsai.
Richard will highlight how these two Japanese art forms are deeply connected in spirit, both grounded in balance, harmony, and a reverence for nature. While Ikebana expresses beauty through flowers and stems, Bonsai conveys the same aesthetic through the patient shaping of living trees—each form celebrating simplicity, line, and the quiet power of space.
This inspiring program will offer a new perspective on how these traditions complement and illuminate one another, enriching our understanding of both.
Featured Event:
Annual Ikebana Luncheon
March 24th, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Quail West Golf & Country Club
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
The Language of Flowers
Workshop and Lecture by Mimi Gallo, The Chair of Asian Art and History at ARTIS Naples.
The fascinating history of the symbolism of flowers will be presented using paintings from medieval manuscripts to Dutch Still lifes and from Monet to O’Keeffe.
From the earliest times flowers have held a special place in our hearts and lives. The lotus flower is one of the most ancient symbols to appear in Asian and Egyptian art. Flower motifs adorn churches and temples, are incorporated into jewelry, and decorate everything from fabric to furniture. Flowers have played a vital role as a means of expression since time immemorial. As a declaration of love or as a gesture of thanks, or an offer of sympathy or congratulations, flowers are often the most eloquent and direct means of communication.
Mimi Gallo is the founder of Art Partners, Inc. a non-profit company that customizes art appreciation programs to fit academic curriculum. For the past 29 years she has taught classes at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, New York and has lectured for Renaissance Academy, Florida Gulf Coast University as well as art organizations and Road Scholars. She is currently the chair of Asian Art and History at ARTIS Naples and was fortunate to travel with the Cleveland Museum of art to China this past May.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 9:30am – noon
Demonstration + Workshop: Found Objects in Ikebana
Demonstration + Workshop: Found Objects in Ikebana
Presenter: Kristi Perrow
Naples Chapter member Kirsti Perrow will guide us through a delightful demonstration exploring the use of found objects in Ikebana. From shells and stones to recycled materials and unexpected treasures, discover how to incorporate personal, meaningful elements into your designs.
A workshop will follow the demonstration.
Please bring:
A container
A Kenzan
A few of your favorite "found" objects
Flowers will be provided.