An ancient Japanese art is making a comeback in a busy, noisy world, bringing peace, harmony and joy to all those who experience it.

Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, expresses emotion with branches, blossoms and leaves while emphasizing line, mass and space, according to a press release.

Teachers and students of traditional and contemporary ikebana will come together for their Floral Inspiration show March 11–12 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane in Paradise Valley.

The 5th annual event features over 50 floral arrangements by 25 local ikebana artists, a “Meet the Artist” tea reception, ikebana demonstrations, live music, a floral photography exhibit and architecture tours of the Taliesin-designed church.

Paradise Valley resident Carol Brecker is coordinating. Brecker is a certified first degree Jonin Somo teacher with the Sogetsu School in Tokyo. She is chairperson for the Arizona Sonoran Desert Sogetsu Study Group and has been a student of ikebana for 20 years, teaching classes and workshops since 2006.

“Take a break from life’s hectic pace and come experience beautiful, uplifting floral displays,” Brecker said in the release. “Our theme this year is Beauty in Meditative Ikebana, exploring the contemplative side of Japanese floral arranging through our use of materials, color, line and movement.”

Ikebana was introduced to Japan in the 6th century by Chinese Buddhist missionaries who formalized the ritual of offering flowers to the Buddha. Today, there are more than 3,000 different schools of ikebana.

“Sogetsu, which I teach, is modern and emphasizes self-expression,” Brecker said in the release. “We are joined by many members of Ikenobo of Arizona, the oldest school of ikebana, with their long history, tradition and importance in ikebana worldwide."

Floral Inspriation will also feature fine art photographer, Larry Brecker, exhibiting floral and ikebana art photography. He uses macro and telephoto lenses to isolate focal points, highlighting intimate encounters with flowers, leaves and stems.

Larry Brecker will donate 15% of photography sales to Ascension Lutheran Church.

For more details, visit www.breckerarts.com or www.alcpv.org.