Editor’s Notes
August 2024
(Marin) Bonsai is Back
Our 4 year Quest for a show
By Tung X. Dao
2024 is the year the Marin Bonsai Show returns to the Marin County Fair after a 4 year absence. I want thank all the club members that worked tirelessly behind the scenes and in front of the scenes at the show to make it happen—as well as the staff at the County Fair for their help as well. The show would not have been possible without it.
It is our first show after 3 attempts at making it happen. 3 years ago, we were not able to secure an indoors space due to the pandemic. Then in the following years, our classic venue—the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium—has been closed for construction. A small outdoors space was suggested, but we did not feel an outdoors show would allow us to put our best foot forward. In 2023, to keep our show skills sharp, we hosted a one night show that brought back memories for many and strengthened the desire to have a real show.
This year, while the Auditorium is still under construction, we were offered a spot in the Exhibit Hall alongside the Fine Arts—and Star Wars! We thought this would be a good opportunity to try something new. A new venue not too far from the old one. A new kind of show that encourages new members to include their trees in progress. A new kind of program that involves showing how a tree is made. A new vision that involves the redesigned club logo and a really cool tree anatomy poster. All the pieces came together just in time.
I wish we had counted how many, but probably thousands of fairgoers passed through our exhibit over the 5 day show. Every single person was impressed by the quality of the trees and the enthusiasm of our members. They also learned more than they bargained for about how bonsai are created from our docents and the small demo area in the back that several members—including myself—led. We invited the very curious to try bonsai out through our Beginners’ Workshops. Both workshops sold out within a week after the show and many of those participants joined the club afterward.
As the club’s president, I am proud of what we have done. Not just putting together a show, but inspiring so many people with the art of bonsai. Former club president Candace Key highlights in the Fall 2018 issue of GSBF’s Golden Statements that the Marin Bonsai Club’s show is “a different kind of show”. It is not geared towards existing bonsai enthusiasts, but for the general public. I hope that this year, our different kind of show continues to engage with the public and continue our rich tradition and history of bonsai for future generations to come. We hope to see you at next year’s show!🌳
Author’s Note: I wanted to share some perspectives from the Marin Bonsai Club’s show from this year. As a member of both the Midori and Marin clubs, I get to see how each club approaches various matters—in this case, putting on a show. Because each club has unique histories, traditions, challenges and needs, solutions will be different. Being a member of both clubs allows me to suggest new ideas that one club has tried, but the other club hasn’t heard of. Sometimes it’s a really good fit, other times we’ll decide that it needs a little modification to work well. Sometimes we might try a different idea altogether. In the end, I love that our many bonsai clubs throughout the Bay Area form a strong community together, yet each one has their own take and identity that makes them unique.
Work in Progress
A Canyon Live Oak that JT has been working on.
UPCOMING Club Events PROGRAMS
Mehrdad Chavosh: Carving
Thursday August 1, 2024, 7:30PM
Midori Bonsai Club
Come watch him do his wizardry with his motor tools and hand implements that transforms a normal-looking bonsai tree into a carved piece of aged artwork.
Open Workshop
Thursday August 15, 2024, 7:30PM
Midori Bonsai Club
Bring in those trees and we’ll work on them together. It’s time to get those show trees ready.
Juan Cruz: Show Prep
Thursday September 5, 2024, 7:30PM
Midori Bonsai Club
Juan will go over the show preparation details for our trees.
Midori 61st Annual Bonsai Show
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Quinlan Community Center
Our club’s 61st annual show has been scheduled. Get those trees ready. It will be here sooner than we think! 🌳
UPCOMING BONSAI EVENTS
For an up-to-date list, check out the Golden State Bonsai Federation events page.
Pacific Bonsai Expo
October 26-27, 2024, Oakland, California
pacificbonsaiexpo.org
The Pacific Bonsai Expo is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, formed in 2023. We aim to promote bonsai learning, and encourage bonsai practice and display at a high level. The organization runs a biannual bonsai show with entries from around the United States juried by a panel of accomplished artists. Accepted exhibitors for each show become the judging panel. PBE believes that by promoting bonsai excellence that more people will be inspired to learn and create bonsai. 🌳
