PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
This month gives us a little normal feel for a club, we don’t have a major event to staff or plan, we can relax and enjoy bonsai. The weather has been nice and cool, not as much sun as the bonsai like, but it’s a nice change for a Los Angeles spring.
This is where I thank everyone for supporting the club, getting a show planned and executed is a long time consuming effort. Everyone came out to help setup and build our show on Saturday morning, thank you for all your effort and getting trees ready, donating time as an instructor, and supporting the club as a member! Lets give Rod a big hand for accepting a thankless job as show chair, so much work and so little fanfare, CJ giving us a steady hand as club treasurer and the backbone of our organization.
Thank you to all the people who helped breakdown the show, getting all the parts of a show cleaned up and ready to transport, getting the vendors help to cleanup, cleaning the kitchen, workshop area, sales area and all the parts of the show is a big venture. Staying to make sure all the trees are picked up and all the displays are accounted for. Thank you to everyone.
We will have some changes moving forward, CJ has asked to step away from her job with the club. CJ has been an active member of the club for over 14 years, she has been on the board since 2013. If you see CJ stop by and give her a hug and say thank you. I’ve asked Dan Sawada to step in fill in for CJ for the coming future and Mary Subbie to take over as Membership chair. We can vote on all these positions at a later date in the year. If you would like to be board member and lend a hand give me a call, text, email or just stop me and ask to help.
JUNE MEETING
Our June Presenter is DIBK’S very own Bill Ward. Bill is a highly respected American bonsai artist and teacher, famous for his skill in locating and developing inexpensive, everyday nursery stock into stunning, exhibition-quality bonsai. He often presents instructional workshops and demonstrations for bonsai societies across California.
Bill originally found solace in the art of bonsai—a practice he describes as a way to “even out your life”—to find serenity and balance. Beyond his own extensive collection, which includes venerable trees like a black pine pushing 700 years in age, Ward is highly regarded for his accessible teaching style. One of Bill’s long time teachers was Al Nelson. Bill is particularly well-known for his hands-on approach to teaching beginners, demystifying the art form by encouraging enthusiasts to experiment without fear of making mistakes. During the 2020 pandemic, he gained a wider following through his “Safer @ Home Bonsai Series” on YouTube, offering approachable tips and techniques for viewers cultivating trees in their own backyards.
A familiar face in the California bonsai community, he frequently tours and lectures for clubs like the Santa Anita Bonsai Society and the Baikoen Bonsai Club. He regularly leads sessions focusing on diverse species, such as styling native Californian Natal Plums, demonstrating how to clean, prune, and wire trees to create proper taper and negative space. We hope to see you at the next meeting!
GVJCI MATSURI
Once again, our club will be working the plant sales booth at the 76th Annual GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser on Saturday, June 27, from 10am to 7pm. We are looking for people to help us man the booth and assist with sales throughout the day. It’s a fun time giving back, and interacting with the public. Plus, the Spam Musubis are the bomb. If you are interested, contact Doyle to inquire about available shifts.
Welcome back bonsai friends and thank you for all your support!
Doyle
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 19 – Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai Meeting – Bill Ward
June 19-21 – Wild Things The Art of Kusamono – Young Choe – National Bonsai & Penjing Museum – Washington DC
June 27 – Gardena Valley JCI – Matsuri Fundraiser 10:00am-7:00pm
July 15 – CBS Visiting Artist Program – Mike Lane
July 17 – Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai Workshop – Mike Lane
July 17 – Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai Meeting – Mike Lane
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