Melbourne Ikebana Festival, 29 and 30 August 2026ikebanafestival.com

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

Mother’s Day Ikebana: 10 & 11 May 2025


Celebrate Mother’s Day with Ikebana!
A Unique Floral Experience in Melbourne 🌸

Treat your mother (and yourself!) to a 90-minute Ikebana flower arranging class, perfect for beginners. Immerse yourself in the elegant Japanese art of floral design with expert guidance from Shoso Shimbo.

You’ll receive a brief introduction to Ikebana and learn the basics to kickstart your journey. Create your own arrangement to take home—along with new knowledge, skills, and beautiful memories.

After the class, enjoy Japanese tea in Shoso’s stunning Japanese garden, as featured on ABC’s Gardening Australia (8 Sept 2023). The garden was also selected as one of the top 10 gardens in Glen Eira City.

When : Only 2 dates.
3 - 4:30pm, Saturday 10 May 2025 or
10 - 11:30am, Sunday 11 May 2025
Where : Murrumbeena, Melbourne.
Fee : $145 per person.
Booking : Send an email to shososhimbo@gmail.com 


What’s Included:

  • Expert guidance from Shoso

  • Fascinating insights into Ikebana's history

  • All materials provided

  • Your finished Ikebana arrangement to take home


What to Bring:
Just yourself—everything else is provided.

No experience needed! 


Please Note:

  • The studio is located upstairs—let us know if you have any mobility concerns.

  • Please inform us in advance of any pet allergies.

  • Cancellation - Full refund available up to 48 hours prior to the session. 


Join us for a peaceful, creative, and memorable Mother’s Day celebration! 




https://www.shoso.com.au 

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Shoso Shimbo @ Melbourne Flower Show

 


Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, 26 - 30 March 2025

Ikebana is not merely about creating designs—it is an invitation to meditate on the invisible energy of life.
Each Ikebana work is a metaphor for the essence of nature.
In this piece, I sought to capture Monet’s magical use of color, applying it to organic materials to create a sculptural form that feels alive.
The Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival aims to deepen the understanding of Ikebana, highlighting its potential as both a therapeutic and environmental art form.
Our next festival will be held at Abbotsford Convent on 29 & 30 August 2026.
Shoso Shimbo, PhD
CEO, Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival


Sunday, 16 March 2025

Hiroe Swen 2025 - Ikebana by Shoso Shimbo


This video features renowned ceramic artist Hiroe Swen reflecting on her long and distinguished career as a ceramic artist in Canberra, Australia. She shares insights into her artistic journey and creative philosophy. https://hiroeswenceramicart.org/ The Art of Hiroe Swen – Final Exhibition Dates: March 29 – April 5, 2025 Location: Malvern Artists’ Society Gallery, 1297 High Street, Malvern, Victoria Gallery Hours: Open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM Additional Information: Online Exhibition Catalogue: Available from March 19 until the end of April 2025 More Details: Skepsi Gallery – https://www.skepsigallery.com.au/2025 Additionally, the video showcases Ikebana works by Shoso Shimbo, incorporating Hiroe Swen’s ceramic pieces. Shoso is planning to publish a photo book featuring Ikebana arrangements inspired by Hiroe’s artworks in the near future. https://www.shoso.com.au

Tuesday, 11 February 2025

New Workshops: Mindfulness & Productivity through Ikebana


Workshops On Mindfulness & Productivity Through Ikebana

Transform workplace well-being with a unique corporate workshop

In today’s fast-paced workplace, stress, burnout, and lack of focus can impact productivity and morale. Ikebana—the Japanese art of mindful flower arrangement—offers a refreshing, hands-on approach to stress reduction, creativity, and teamwork.

Why Your Team Will Love It:
- Reduce stress & recharge – A calming break from screens & deadlines
- Boost focus & creativity – Encourages mindfulness for better work
- Strengthen teamwork – A collaborative, engaging experience
- Take home a stunning flower arrangement – A meaningful, lasting reminder

Workshop Options:
Option 1: 2-Hour Session ($160 per person)
  - Learn the concept of Dakka (simplification) – finding beauty in minimalism
  - Create an Ikebana arrangement using 1 flower & 1 leaf
  - Develop mindfulness techniques to improve focus & reduce stress

Option 2: 3-Hour Session ($260 per person)
  - Includes everything from Option 1
  - Plus, a team collaboration exercise – work together to create a larger Ikebana piece, strengthening non-verbal communication & teamwork

Location: On-site at your office or at our Murrumbeena studio
Group Size: Min. 10 participants | Max. 24 participants (in our studio)
All materials provided—just bring your team!

https://www.shoso.com.au