I was at the Women's Prison in Black Mountain for about 3 1/2 hours and five women and the horticulture instructor participated in the Ikebana workshop. It was quite successful and it was an honor to work with this particular group of women.

After I was introduced, I began by telling them about my journey with flowers and leaves and studying Ikebana. As a way of introduction I asked them what their favorite flower is. Orchids were the most popular. Shasta Daisy and Peonies were also mentioned. I then showed the great slide presentation that Lynn Forbes created for our workshop last year for the Master Gardener's Conference. 

I followed the slide show with a demonstration of the upright form using the beautiful red and yellow roses.  They collected the line material and moss from their campus; a variety of pine, juniper, grasses, and other evergreen and interesting dried material.  The variety of black plastic containers that I brought were perfect for their arrangements. 

I asked them to do drawings and write, if they wanted to, on the drawing any feelings they might have about the process or what it evoked.  One woman said it made her miss her home where her family has a garden.

The arrangements were beautiful; each one unique.  One person wanted to do another and seeing the lovely pine I showed her the slanting form. 

Many of the people who work at the prison came into the greenhouse and their faces lit up as they oohed and aahed.  To bring things to a close I asked them to comment on the workshop. They all said it is something they would continue to do when they graduate and go home.  They began to talk about all the containers they have and where they could harvest flowers and line material.  One woman said this was such a break and relaxation from the rest of her day and would use connecting with flowers as a way to meditate and relax.

They transferred their arrangements to small flower pots and they were displayed on a variety of desks and tabletops. I left tired and feeling good. Thank you all for your support Black Mountain Women’s Prison. 

We were not able to take photos because I was not allowed to bring in my camera and the staff person who had the camera was occupied with more urgent matters.