29 — 30 August
11am – 5pm
Le magasin
Exhibition: $10
Workshops: $20–$50
Certification: $800
29 — 30 August
11am – 5pm
Le magasin
Exhibition: $10
Workshops: $20–$50
Certification: $800
Discover contemporary Japanese floral art at the Melbourne Ikebana Festival, featuring leading ikebana artists from Australia, Japan, Vietnam, and beyond.
Highlights include the International Ikebana Exhibition, the Bridal Ikebana Bouquet Competition, and the Ikebana Vase – Hiroe Swen Award, celebrating excellence in floral design and ceramic artistry.
A special exhibition by ten artists and therapists from the Japan Ikebana Therapy Association presents a collaborative installation created with clients and senior community members, including people living with dementia and their carers, demonstrating ikebana’s power to foster creativity, connection, and wellbeing.
Visitors can also enjoy live ikebana demonstrations, where artists create original arrangements in just six minutes, and take part in hands-on workshops for all levels, including beginner, men’s, and Japanese-language sessions.
International Ikebana Exhibition | 29 – 30 Aug, 11am – 5pm
Ikebana Therapy Guide Certification Course | 27 — 30 August
Ikebana Workshop | 11am
Ikebana 4 Kids | 12pm
Ikebana Demonstration | 1pm
Ikebana for Men | 10am
Ikebana Conference | 1pm
Immersion: Ikebana in Japanese | 2pm
Dr Shoso Shimbo is an ikebana artist, award-winning sculptor, garden designer, and Shinto priest active in both the contemporary art and floral design worlds. His numerous accolades include a Gold Award at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.
Dr Shimbo frequently collaborates with local and international musicians, including Paul Grabowsky and the Gregorian Brothers, presenting live installation performances at the Melbourne Recital Centre and internationally in Vietnam. In 2023, he was invited to participate in the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) Bloom event. His floral art is regularly featured in International Floral Art by Stichting Kunstboek (Belgium).
As a leading figure in the community, Dr Shimbo is the CEO of the biennial Melbourne Ikebana Festival. He also founded Ikebana Dojo, an online learning platform, and the Ikebana Gallery Award, the world’s first online international ikebana competition.
