One of things most people associate with Japanese culture, and Japanese gardens in particular, is the art of bonsai. The word literally means “tree in pot” or “planted in container”.
Bonsai is half art and half horticulture. The goal is to recreate nature in miniature, to show off a tree species’ natural beauty artistically, with as little evidence of human intervention as possible. There are many different styles, and bonsai come in many sizes: from very small (1-3” pieces) up to extremely large trees, from formal upright, to cascading, to a grove of diminutive trees.
In partnership with the Michiana Bonsai Study, Wellfield is celebrating this ancient art form on Saturday, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Wellfield’s inaugural Bonsai Show. Midwest Bonsai enthusiasts are invited to display their favorite bonsai pieces to our guests.
Want to take it up a notch and learn more about the art of Bonsai? Two national and internationally recognized bonsai artists, Pauline Muth and Bill Valavanis will conduct public critiques of trees on display, as well as offer workshops where beginners and more advanced alike can walk away with a new bonsai potensai tree. This is a rare opportunity to learn from two highly trained and well respected artists in the craft.
Our Schedule of Events for the day is as follows:
- 10:00 a.m. Show opens, tree exhibit & vendors open
- 10-11:30 a.m. Demonstration
- 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. *Beginning Bonsai 101 Workshop with Bill Valavanis – REGISTER HERE
- 10:30-10:50 a.m. Presentation: “What is Bonsai?” (Pauline Muth, Artist)
- 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Critique Session of Exhibitors (Pauline Muth, Artist)
- 12:30-12:50 p.m. Presentation: “What is Bonsai?”
- 1-2 p.m. Critique Session of Exhibitors
- 1-3 p.m. *Beginning Bonsai 101 Workshop with Pauline Muth – REGISTER HERE
- 1:30-1:50 p.m. Presentation: “What is Bonsai?” (Bill Valavanis, Artist)
- 3-4 p.m. Critique Session of Exhibitors (Bill Valavanis, Artist)
- 4:00 p.m. Show closes, Thanks for coming!
Bonsai is fascinating, and I am looking forward to meeting and learning from passionate devotees. Come join us! Make a day of it, learning about small trees planted in pots.
Josh Steffen, Horticulture and Facilities Manager