O n April 25, I had the joy of representing Narcisa Art Studio at Tephra ICA’s Earth Day celebration in Reston, VA. It was such a beautiful afternoon filled with art, music, creativity, and community, all centered around a shared appreciation for nature and the environment.
Visitors explored a full schedule of activities inspired by climate, art, and the natural world, and I was so happy to be there sharing Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Guests were invited to learn about this practice and create their own mini-Ikebana arrangements, which made the experience feel especially personal and meaningful. It was such a lovely way to connect with people through flowers and introduce them to the quiet beauty, balance, and intention behind Ikebana.
A Space Filled with Presence
One of the things that made the afternoon so special was being surrounded by such a thoughtful and creative group of artists, each offering a unique way to connect with nature.
Guests created floral mosaics with Shona D’Cruz, designed cyanotype scarves with Marisela Rumberg, made art from recycled materials with Eleftheria Easley, and joined a plein air workshop with Rachel Garcia-Palmer.
Inside the gallery, visitors also enjoyed a concert by Marcolivia, featuring Olivia Hajioff and Marc Ramirez, while exhibitions by Janet Loren Hill and Andrew Casto were on view throughout the event.
There was so much beauty in the way the day invited people to move from one experience to another, exploring, making, noticing, and simply enjoying being together.
A Moment to Slow Down
What I loved most was the feeling of openness throughout the day. People dropped in, stayed awhile, asked questions, made arrangements, and shared small moments of conversation. The whole atmosphere felt welcoming, relaxed, and full of curiosity.
For me, offering mini-Ikebana during Earth Day felt especially fitting. Ikebana asks us to slow down, pay attention to shape and line, and appreciate each material for exactly what it is. It is an art form rooted in observation, respect, and relationship with nature, so it felt very much at home in a celebration like this.
There was something really joyful about seeing people spend a few quiet moments arranging flowers, making choices, and creating something with their own hands. Even in a lively event, Ikebana seemed to offer a small pause, a chance to breathe, notice, and connect.
Closing Reflection
I’m grateful to Tephra ICA for including Narcisa Art Studio in such a thoughtful and inspiring Earth Day celebration, and to everyone who stopped by to create with me. It was a beautiful afternoon of flowers, conversation, and shared creativity.
If you attended and made a mini-Ikebana arrangement with me, thank you for being part of it. I left the day feeling happy, inspired, and deeply thankful to have shared this experience with such a wonderful community.
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