Guest Artist: John Romano.

A full day of activities! We are so pleased to welcome John back for this very special day.

Here’s the schedule for the day:

9:30 Early arrival; coffee; Say Hello!

10:00 Brief introductions / Presentation and Demo starts promptly

12:00 (Approximately) Lunch – On your own

1:00 Workshop (See below for details)

We will try to wrap up around 4:00 or so and could use help cleaning up.

ALL DAY: We will have lots of stuff for sale/raffle (and some surprises). We will have a sales table with pots, tools and trees. Bring items to sell or swap.

Morning session – 10 am – 12

John will do a presentation on literati as a bonsai style and form, and really a way of thinking (I know that sounds a bit out there but literati as a form stretches the conventional notions of bonsai). After the presentation he will do a demo on a really nice pitch pine that he has personally selected for this demonstration.

Afternoon session – Workshop 1 pm to 4 pm

The afternoon will be a workshop where you will be able to create your own bonsai using either Hinoki Cypress or Kingsville Boxwood. John handpicked these from the pre-bonsai stock at New England Bonsai where he teaches. The Hinoki are a fine species to work with and is an especially great choice for a beginner. The boxwood are a dwarf variety and are 15-year old pre bonsai with already nicely aged bark. Either of these would make exceptionally nice bonsai.

The cost of the workshop will be $95, which includes the tree and individual instruction. Space is limited (so plenty of time for one-on-one work with John) and is for paid members only. It will be first come first serve until we fill up. Bring your tools and wire if you have them.  I’m quite certain that we will fill all the seats so please e-mail me gmbs.vermont@gmail.com as soon as possible to indicate your interest. PLEASE TELL ME WHETHER YOU WOULD PREFER TO WORK WITH HINOKI CYPRESS OR KINGSWOOD BOXWOOD (OR EITHER). I will let you know if we can reserve a spot with that type of tree.

This workshop is open to folks with all levels of experience.

Everyone is encouraged to stay for the workshop as observers (no cost) or even as helping hands!

Sales Table(s)
(This was written by the late Jay Gettinger a valued club member who was the “master” of the sales table. I have kept it just as he wrote it and included it in the June newsletter each year since he passed in December of 2020.)

We can look forward to the Sale Table. This is a wonderful time to sell or purchase items from members. Bring your trees, pots, books, etc. Sunday morning. Mark them clearly. List the price and your name. You can accept offers…You make your own deals. What’s in it for the club? We suggest that at the end of the day you give a donation to the club only for the items you sell. 10% – 20% would be nice, but it’s up to you. Remember the members’ show gets lots of traffic from both new and old club members.

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John Romano Bio

John has been teaching bonsai classes and private students at New England Bonsai Gardens since 2000. He founded the Kaikou School of Bonsai New England Bonsai Gardens in 2009. He has studied under many teachers over the years and notably at Taisho en in Shizuoka, Japan with shohin bonsai master, Nobuichi Urushibata.
 
John has been published in various bonsai publications such as Bonsai Today, International Bonsai, ABS Bonsai, and BCI Bonsai Magazine. He wrote a regular column for International Bonsai Magazine on shohin bonsai called ‘A Little Magic with Shohin Bonsai’.

Note: Please enter through the retail store. At the rear of the store is a door that leads to a staircase to the second floor meeting space. There is an elevator at the rear of the building. There is plenty of parking. Gardener’s only asks that we do not park directly in front of the store. Generally there will be a member at the front entrance to guide people. Gardener’s Supply is a 100% smoke free property so please make sure you leave Gardener’s property (that includes the parking lot) for a smoke break.