Japanese Arts inspire unique exhibition and sale

West meets East in a unique art exhibition and sale of works inspired by two Japanese traditions, Tea Ceremony and Ikebana, or flower arranging.

From August 14 to the 25, the Art of Tea and Ikebana Art Exhibition and Sale will take place in the Chapel Gallery of the Annapolis Region Community Arts Council in Annapolis Royal. Whether literal replicas of implements and vessels used in the Art of Tea and Ikebana, or the artists’ own interpretations of the Japanese arts, the body of art will be produced by over 20 North American artists working in a variety of media, from clay and metal, to silk and oils.

“It occurred to us that it would be a good idea, given the talent in the community,” says co-coordinator Flora Hall. “The whole concept is based on aesthetics…This also allows them (the artists) to express their own creativity, their own aesthetic.”

As a closing event, Japanese Tea masters John McGee and Alexandre Avdulov will return to perform a public ceremony for local guests, having previously given public demonstrations last March. The senseis will serve tea in the traditional manner and discuss the ceremony itself as well as the implements used.

For more information about the exhibition, please call Flora Hall at 638-3145. To register for the tea ceremony, or for Ikebana workshops taking place that week, phone Nancy McCabe at 532-0957.

The exhibition and sale is a benefit for the Annapolis Shambhala Meditation Group.