San Francisco Bay Area Chapter #31 

Ron Kodo Brown began his studies in Sogetsu Ikebana in 1979. He studies with Kika Shibata and holds the rank of Komon. Following his retirement, Ron has been actively pursuing his passion and love of Ikebana as a second career. In addition to regularly teaching ikebana classes in Sonoma and Marin Counties, he has demonstrated and exhibited often for many groups throughout California and beyond. His travels have taken him to Panama City, Panama; Sao Paulo, Basil; Ashville, North Carolina; Arizona and Florida. In 2017 Ron attended the 90th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Sogetsu School where he received the Akane Teshigahara Overseas award. In 2022, he received a Certificate of Commendation from the Consul General of Japan, Hiroshi Kawamura, for deepening the understanding and friendship between Japan and California. Ron has been a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter #31 of Ikebana International for over 40 years and is currently Co-President. He is the Director of the Sogetsu San Francisco Bay Area Branch and a member of the Sogetsu Teacher’s Association in Tokyo. He is also a member of Ikebana Teachers Federation.

Steven Brown has taught Horticulture and Floristry at City College San Francisco (CCSF) for the past 35 years. He currently is the longest serving Chair for the Environmental Horticulture/Floristry Department. His goal is to facilitate an ideal learning environment in Horticulture and Floral Design

Elan Rosenquist is well known to many members as the Designer of Sogetsu San Francisco’s ArtScapes Flower Exhibitions and Staging Director for Ikebana International Flower Shows. He began Sogetsu studies in 1996. As a student of Sogetsu ikebana, he follows a principle stated by Sofu Teshigahara, Sogetsu School’s founder, that “ikebana can be done anywhere and with anything”. Elan’s work features strong sculptural forms often created with re-purposed and recycled materials with minimal floral accents. With concerns for the environment, he questions many of the methods used in the production and supply of commercial flowers. Elan is active with Sogetsu Bay Area Branch and is also a member of Ikebana International. He creates installations for restaurants, weddings, and various public events. His work has appeared in several Japanese publications. He continues his Sogetsu studies with Ron Brown. 2

Tuan Tran has been studying and teaching Ikebana, in the San Francisco Bay area for thirty years. He is an officer of the Aratame Ryu, and has been active in Ikebana International for 30 years. Tuan is noted for his floral installations using natural materials and has participated in the annual Bouquet to the Arts at the de Young Museum. He has performed ikebana floral arrangements internationally and in many venues in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the San Francisco residence of the Consul General of Japan. Tuan is an active volunteer supporting a variety of causes including Project Open Hand, Strybing Arboretum and ReSurge International.