Public Speaking

Ann’s cherry blossom and bonsai talks are fun and informative for all ages. She uses lots of illustrations ranging from fine art to photographs, and includes stories about the many people whose lives have touched these special trees.

She explains the meaning of the cherry blossoms to the Japanese, as well as sharing myths and tales related to them. She includes the history of how they came to be planted around Washington’s Tidal Basin, what the National Cherry Blossom Festival is like, and information about different varieties of trees today.

Her bonsai talks emphasize the trees as living works of art, their connection to Shinto beliefs and garden design in Japan, and their role as ambassadors. Bonsai can only exist if humans create and care for them, and Ann includes many stories of bonsai artists and admirers.

 

Due to COVID Ann’s public speaking engagements have been postponed, contact her about zoom possibilties.

May 6, 2021

Los Angeles

Postponed

Due to COVID Ann’s public speaking engagements have been postponed, contact her about zoom possibilties.

Contact Ann
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It really is splendid the way you have the whole story laid out with such good visuals for each step of the way. And your stories about the various individuals are refreshing and such good complement to the basic information which is already interesting . . . I look forward to reading through your book in my favorite chair with coffee on my next free morning.

Carol Campbell, The Army Distaff Foundation and Knollwood

Quotes from Road Scholar Cherry Blossom Tour participants

I enjoyed the cherry blossom lecture the most as that was why I went!!!! I bought her book, very informative, well presented & great!

Ms. McClellan is possibly THE authority on the festival and its background, and I noted she was acknowledged in another publication regarding her efforts on behalf of the festival.

Ann was very knowledgeable and gave good background history and slide presentation on Japan’s gift of the cherry blossom trees.

We did enjoy the presentations by Ann McClellan & Liana Pirades [Hillwood Museum curator] who both are thoroughly knowledgeable about the topics on which they spoke.