Creative Encounters: (Almost) Ikebana
Take a moment for yourself at a restorative workshop that brings together the Japanese art of flower arranging with drawing and painting.
Create and decorate your own paper vase and fashion unique floral arrangements at a calming session loosely inspired by ‘Ikebana’, the Japanese art of arranging flowers.
Led by artist Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck of the Gardening Drawing Club, together we’ll investigate the work of various Ikebana schools to playfully bring the
traditional rules into your own creations.
Take a moment with nature in a creative environment guided by prompts, gentle exercises, discussion and shared cups of herbal tea.
All materials are provided, including plants sourced directly from the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.
Creative Encounters is your creative space in the heart of the city, bringing together Londoners old and new for art, making and conversation.
Need to know
Our friendly Creative Encounters sessions are designed for both those attending on their own or with others.
We recommend arriving early to secure a seat. If the event reaches capacity, you may need to queue as we operate a one in, one out system.
Creative Encounters is a fortnightly programme; dates are subject to change, so please check the website.
Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck is a transdisciplinary artist based in rural Oxfordshire whose practice is rooted in ecological awareness, collaboration, horticulture and participatory projects. She has been an Ohara Ikebana student since 2018 and is currently in the second term of the Assistant Teacher’s course. Recent exhibitions include the Drawing Room, Whitechapel Gallery, Kate MacGarry, Somerset House and Nidi Gallery.
The Gardening Drawing Club is an independent, artist-led project offering a holistic approach to free arts and horticulture in Britain. It advocates for well-being, biodiversity, land justice and reparation through veganic gardening methods.
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
02 Sep 2026, 6pm
Run time
2 hours and 30 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
Free – no ticket required
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Make a donation
Help us open up the arts to everyone by making a one-off or a recurring donation.
Access
Creative Encounters is a Relaxed event. This means that we have a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, and you are free to enter and exit throughout.
We have guides available for those who may benefit from preparing for the event.
View the ‘What to expect’ guide
Read about ventilation and socially distanced tables
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our access information
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.