Home About us History Calendar Gallery Related Links
2010 Board Members: (L to R) Chris Mehling, co-chairperson; Scott Job, parliamentarian; Sally Ketchum, treasurer; Carol Walz, co-chair program; Pam Marquardt, secretary; Sensai Soho Sakai, chariperson; Laura Chiu, membership; Ivy Leung, co-chair hospitality; Olivia Camgros, co-chair program; Charlene Yip, co-chair hospitality; Nancy Houtkooper, auditor; missing from photo Dorcas Walton, historian
October 2007 Flower Show - Soho Study Group participants
Soho Study Group, founded in 1997 by Soho Sakai, Riji, and her students, provides continuing study of Sogetsu School's curriculum and concepts. Soho Sakai, is a renowned master teacher and artist; her students number in the hundreds. Many of her students have graduated to become strong and devoted teachers of Sogetsu School
We host workshops for our members, and present flower shows, demonstrations and displays at various community locations. In October 2007, we presented a 2-day Sogetsu 80th Anniversary celebration at the Oakland Museum of California, Floral Sculptures in the Gardens of the Museum.
We are a dedicated group of individuals who continue our study of Japanese flower arranging with workshops and educational meetings. Geared to expanding the membership's knowledge and understanding of the principles of Sogetsu Ikebana, and encouraging their creativity and artistic abilities, the meetings offer an opportunity to exchange ideas and grow as Ikebana designers.
With over 200 current members, more than 80 of them teachers, Soho Study Group represents a significant force in the contemporary Bay Area Ikebana community.
Current Board members ('10-'12):
Sogetsu School History - See our Links page
Where they teach and how to contact them.
Yayoi "Soho" Sakai, Riji
Albany Community Center,
The Carmel Garden Club, Carmel, City College of San Francisco,
Orinda Community Center, Private Lessons
(510) 234-5748, sogetsubysoho70@aol.com
Michiko "Seiei" Shimoda, Riji
City of Saratoga Recreation Center,
Mountain View, Los Altos Adult School,
Private Lessons, Saratoga
(408) 741-1763, www.michikoshimoda.com
Scott "Sochiku" Job, Komon
Private Lessons & Group Workshops, Crockett
(510) 882-1900, crockettatellier@gmail.com
June "Junpo" Matsuoka, Komon
Oldemeyer Center, Seaside, Privates Lessons, Campbell
(408) 377-3801, atwwilleyexpr@msn.com
Charlene "Yohka" Yip, Jonin Somu
Private Lessons, Los Gatos
(408) 395-6803, yohkas@verizon.net
Annette "Hoto" Sullivan, Jonin Somu
Mill Valley Community Center
(415) 381-4151, Annettems@comcast.net
Katsuko "Biko" Thielke, Somu
Mountain View
(650) 964-3170
Rachel "Soshin" Johnson, Sanyo
San Rafael Community Center
(415) 239-9912, Soshin@simplygrounded.com
Yoko "Hoyo" Ono Light, Sanyo
Walnut Creek
(925) 934-1664, yokono3@astound.net
Nancy "Seirin" Locke, Third Grade
San Mateo
(650) 340-9647, nancy.locke@sbcglobal.net
Thanh "Hosui" Nguyen, Third Grade
Menlo Park
(650) 854-8897, nguyent@gmail.com
> click here for a printable copy [PDF]