About Us

        We are a cultural, nonprofit, and chartered Chapter of Ikebana International (II) with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.  Founded on February 29, 1968, the constitution of the Orlando-Winter Park Chapter 132 states that the Chapter’s objective “shall be to stimulate, cultivate and perpetuate the study of Ikebana, related arts and culture, by demonstrations and public exhibitions.  We aim to strengthen the relationships among teachers and students of Ikebana with a deeper purpose of establishing better relationships among all peoples through the adopted motto “Friendship through Flowers.”

Officers, Ikebana International Orlando-Winter Park Chapter 132
Fiscal Years 2010 - 2012

                              

Our leadership is dedicated to meeting our Chapter's objectives, and are featured above.  Enjoy the flowers with our photographs, but meet the Chapter's 2010 - 2012 Officers.  Top row, from left to right, are Ricardo C. Carrasco, President; Karen Dennis, 1st Vice President; Irene Gomulka, 2nd Vice President.  Bottom row, are Faye Conti, Treasurer; Sarah Ward, Recording Secretary; Frances Jackson, Corresponding Secretary; & Betty Strandberg, Historian.

      

        Chapter 132's objective is consistent with that of Ikebana International’s and with the vision of its American founder, Ellen Gordon Allen which says that “the object of the Association shall be to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and other countries through Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arrangement) and other related arts of Japan.”

 Committee Chairpersons

        The Chapter is able to meet these objectives only because of it's committed and persistent committee chairpersons, and are featured below:

Exhibition ~ Margaret Grubb
Hospitality & Protocol ~ Virginia Leedy
Librarian ~ Sarah Ward
Properties ~ Faye Conti
Yearbook/Directory ~ Faye Conti, Irene Gomulka, & Ricardo Carrasco
Parliamentarian ~ Virginia Leedy
Publicity ~ Virginia Leedy & Irene Gomulka
Ways & Means ~ Margaret Grubb
Website ad hoc Committee ~ Michael Beedenbender, Ricardo Carrasco,
Sarah Ward & School Advisors

Spring rain
a letter thrown away
Blown away in the grass.

~Kobayashi Issa

        Ikebana International Orlando-Winter Park Chapter 132 operates according to Bylaws and Standing Rules.  These documents are available online at:

1.    Bylaws
2.    Standing Rules 

        The Chapter meets every second Thursday once monthly at the Harry P. Leu Gardens located on 1920 N. Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803-1537.  Call 407-246-2620 for directions or click the link below.  Each session features a program and a light lunch hosted by the membership.  Chapter members &/or invited experts present programs that are planned in advance to learn Ikebana, but also related Japanese arts.

        You can access a brief introduction to the Chapter & directions to Leu Gardens by clicking:

1.    Chapter 132 Information Flyer
2.    http://www.leugardens.org/locate.html