On October 7 a workshop on Ikebana, or the practice of “making flowers come alive,” was taught by Bellingham resident Noriko Sharik supported by the Bellingham Sister Cities Association and Bellingham Parks and Recreation.

Sharik-Sensei is a certified instructor of Sensho Ikenobo School of ikebana, based in Kobe, Japan. Her works of art can currently be seen in the main lobby of Bellingham City Hall. She creates a new arrangement on each City Council meeting day.

Six citizens attended the course at Fairhaven Pavilion. They learned the basic techniques of creating the Moribana style of Ikebana. This is an upright style of arrangement using a shallow dish and a kenzan. The 3 main components of the display represent “Heaven”; “Earth” and “Mankind”. The attendees were taught how to use natural materials to make elegant Ikebana arrangements from provided foliage and those they brought from home.

Two more courses are scheduled this year: Nov 11 and Dec 9. You can contact Bellingham Parks and Recreation to sign-up.