About Paula

Ikebana Credentials and Positions

Professor of Ikebana – Ikenobo Sokatoku

Ikebana Coordinator of the Japanese Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Vice President of Ikenobo California Pacific Chapter (2021-Present)

Former President of Ikebana International New York Chapter (2013-2015)

Former Treasurer of Ikebana International New York Chapter (2009-2013)

Former Board Member of Ikenobo Ikebana Society NYC Chapter (2006-2013)

Paula Tam

Paula has been studying Ikenobo ikebana for over 20 years, starting with her Introductory Ikenobo diploma in 1991 and was awarded the rank of “Sokatoku”, the highest Ikenobo Diploma, in Ikenobo Floral Art. Her arrangements have been exhibited in New York, Shanghai, and Malaysia, including in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New Museum, Tenri Gallery, Japanese Stroll Garden, Japanese Ambassadors’ residences, among others. She has given ikebana demonstrations at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and for Ikebana International New York Chapter. Her passion in ikebana propels her to pursue higher levels of studies continuously. She has graduated from the Ikenobo Central Training Institute. She is specializing in Koten-Rikka (classical Meiji Rikka). In her ikebana she likes to explore how life, nature, and ikebana interact.

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