In Memory of Pat Schneider
Photos & videos from our chapter members
Who we are
The San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School (SDSCOS) originated from the Sakura Ikebana Group founded by Jackie Zhang and her students in 2011. It was honored to be given the new name of Sakura Ikebana Group of the Ohara School (SIGOS) by Headmistress Wakako Ohara in 2012. In 2017, SIGOS was elevated by Fifth Headmaster Hiroki Ohara to an official Ohara School Study Group. One year later, the Fifth Headmaster promoted the group to a new chapter, the San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School, and appointed Jackie Zhang as its Founding President. In the eleven years since its inception, SDSCOS has developed into an energetic, harmonious, and active chapter, which is highly regarded in the community. Its stated mission is to share, to create, and to promote Ikebana art and friendship. Under the leadership of its board and the Ohara School Headquarters, SDSCOS envisions a bright future.
Members of the chapter enjoy learning and sharing the beauty of Ikebana with each other and the public. In addition, Many members have obtained Instructor and higher level certificates through years of learning in classes.
What We Do
We are a fun, active Chapter involved in many activities in addition to our regular Saturday Ikebana classes.
Weekly Classes
The San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School had its beginnings in 2006 when Ohara Master Teacher, Jackie Zhang, offered an Ikebana design workshop at the La Jolla/Riford Library. As a result of high public demand and an invitation from the Library, Jackie began teaching regular Ikebana classes at the Library, which continue to this day.
Annual Ikebana Exhibition
After more than two years of COVID-19 interruption, we are delighted to announce that SDSCOS is resuming our Annual Ikebana Exhibition this year,October 2022, in the beautiful La Jolla Riford Library.
From the beginning, SDSCOS's Annual Ikebana Exhibition has become one of its major events. It attracts many visitors locally and from out of town. The Exhibition has been featured in various media and was listed as one of "La Jolla's Best Bets For Events" by the La Jolla Light.
- See more photos in "More to Explore" section
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Ikebana Day at the County Fair
Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, Ikebana Exhibition in San Diego Fair has been temporary suspended.
In 2012, the San Diego County Fair Flower & Garden Department invited SDSCOS (previously SIGOS) to stage an Ikebana Exhibition and Demonstration at the Fair, calling it Ikebana Day.
Because of its great success, Ikebana Day was formally added to the San Diego County Fair’s annual program, which continues to the present. SDSCOS is honored to be selected by the Fair to represent Ikebana.
San Diego County Fair is the largest in the United States, in terms of attendance. Its Flower and Garden exhibitions are renowned throughout the nation.
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Workshops & Celebrations
Holiday Workshops
SDSCOS had its regular Holiday Workshop last year on 12/11/2021. The Holiday Workshop for 2022, as planned will be held on 12/10/2022.
If interested, please email contact: ikebana.sakura.lj@gmail.com
SDSCOS has held its annual Holiday Workshop since 2008. It is very popular among both our newer and seasoned Ikebana students because it not only teaches workshop attendees the techniques for the Ikebana arrangement, but it also provides a beautiful holiday-themed table centerpiece for their homes.
- See more details in "More to Explore" section
Celebration Parties
In addition to our fun-filled annual Holiday Party, we find many reasons to celebrate our chapter's or individual members' successes, including a number of honors bestowed by the Ohara School Headquarters in Tokyo and a member's 100th birthday.
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Partnership with Ikebana International San Diego
Ikebana International ( I.I. ) https://www.ikebanasandiego.org/
is a worldwide ikebana organization. Many of our chapter members are also members of the I.I. San Diego Chapter, serving as Board members, giving demonstrations and workshops, making arrangements for the Tokonoma Display at the Japanese Friendship Garden, and participating in the Annual Spring Exhibition in Balboa Park. At each stage of the Spring Exhibition, from organizing to publishing; from display to demonstration; from setting up to taking down; our chapter members offer countless contributions.
- See more photos in "More to Explore" section
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Activities in the Community
SDSCOS members have, for many years, participated in the San Diego Art Alive event hosted by the San Diego Museum of Art.
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SDSCOS members participate in the year-round the Tokonoma Display at the Japanese Friendship Garden.
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Other Community Activities
In addition to the major recurring activities described above, SDSCOS engages in numerous outreach activities for the wider community.
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- See more photos in "More to Explore" section
Publications
Every ikebana flower arrangement is a unique creation, delightful and ephemeral. While our arrangements last only for a short while, often just a few days, our memories of them can live on in a permanent record.
SDSCOS has a number of publications, through which we continue to be inspired by the beauty of these past Ikebana creations and to learn from them.
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Fundraising and Community Involvement
SDSCOS is a member-supported Ikebana art organization in San Diego Community. Fundraising activities have included making Ikebana or Japanese culture-themed Greeting Cards, producing DVDs of our annual exhibitions, creating a calendar, and making small flower arrangements and homemade sushi, which we offer for a donation at our public events.
We also receive many donations of beautiful Ikebana containers and related Ikebana tools, which we make available to our students for purchasing in class or in raffles and silent auctions at the December Holiday Party.
- See more photos in "More to Explore" section
Ikebana International San Diego 2021 Holiday showcase
Many SDSCOS chapter members involve with San Diego Ikebana International Chapter activities as well.
We are honored to have the opportunity to post San Diego I. I. Holiday Showcase flyer here.
Through flowers, we are friends and make the world more beautiful together especially in this Holiday Season.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
2023
Photos from our Chapter Members
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
2022
Photos from our Chapter Members
