Thank you for your support for the Ikebana Gallery Award in 2013. Applications for the award closed on 30 June 2013. We have over 300 entries this year from beginners to experienced students of Ikebana.
The five finalists will be announced in this blog in July. Then our distinguished panel of judges will select the winner in August.
The notion of an Ikebana competition is not very familiar, especially in the form of an online competition. As far as we know our award is the first international Ikebana competition that any Ikebana student can take part in for free.
As an Ikebana teacher teaching outside Japan, I am aware some important issues that many Ikebana students face overseas, such as a lack of opportunities to participate in exhibitions or competitions and to access good quality training. It's difficult for students to find ways to share their learning experiences with other Ikebana students.
Although we can't claim to solve all of these problems, we believe the Ikebana Gallery is a step in the right direction.
Applications for the 2014 Ikebana Gallery Australia Award started on 1 July 2013 and will close 30 June 2014. See the details in "Award" page in this blog and start sending your works.
Also please become a follower of this blog or follow by email to receive the latest update.
Shoso Shimbo, PhD
http://www.shoso.com.au
Ikebana Gallery Australia