Mark Your Calendars for the Biennial Ikebana Show

Next week is the opening of the short, sweet exhibit that only comes to The Art League Gallery every two years. The four-day Ikebana Show (6:00 pm Thursday, May 31 – Sunday, June 3) is the result of a long-time collaboration with the flower artists from the Washington, DC branch of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, who will pair their unique arrangements with fine art in every medium. This will be the 14th biennial Ikebana Show.

Last month, 22 artists from the Sogetsu School came to The Art League and selected artwork and vessels to inspire and complete their installations. On May 31, they'll bring in fresh-cut flowers and plants to create their installations before the opening reception at 6:00 pm.

The original, temporary creations make up a different kind of exhibit for the gallery — the plant life paired with two- and three-dimensional artwork creates a new experience for viewers. (See the photo gallery for examples from 2010, the most recent show.) Members of the Sogetsu School will be in the gallery for the duration of the exhibit to water the plants and answer questions.

The opening reception will include presentation of awards for the international juried ceramics exhibit, "Tea," as well as a musical performance by the Washington Toho Koto Ensemble. There will be a flower arranging demonstration and a second performance on June 3. Event details are on the exhibit page.

The Art League Gallery showcases work from local artists with monthly group and solo exhibits. The gallery is on the first floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria.