WELCOME TO THE YAMA KI BONSAI SOCIETY

The Yama Ki Bonsai Society was formed in 1973 by a group of individuals with a mutual interest in bonsai. Its purpose was to foster a forum for discussion and education on bonsai for people living in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT. Our name, Yama Ki, means "Mountain Tree."

Our programs throughout the year offer a variety of topics related to bonsai, including lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and other activities designed to help the novice as well as to appeal to the more experienced bonsai enthusiast. The group usually meets on the second Saturday of the month. For venue locations and directions, click here.

Feel free to attend any meeting or outing listed in our club newsletter. Reading our newsletters is the best way to learn about bonsai and to get to know the people of Yama Ki (and their plans for the year). The Meetings & Events section below shows up-to-date details for upcoming meetings.

MEETINGS & EVENTS

• February 2012 Newsletter

• Feb 11, 2012, Saturday, at the Garden Education Center
  Sean Smith Lecture and Hands-on Workshop Displaying Bonsai
  He would like us to bring items that we own so that he can share the best way to use those in our own displays. As he usually does, Sean will also have items to sell, from pre-bonsai material to suiseki, stands and other complements for displaying our trees. Sean is a dynamic presenter and has much to offer every member of Yama Ki. Don't miss this meeting!
  
  
• INTRODUCTION TO BONSAI CLASSES
  Rescheduled to Feb/Mar at the Garden Education Center
  See the February Newsletter for more details.
  For questions, contact Mike Pollock at mikepollock@me.com
  
  
  
  
• March 10, 2012, Saturday, at the Garden Education Center
  Workshop - Details coming soon!
  
  
• April 1, 2012 - Deadline for Entries in the John Y. Naka Design Award
  
  
• AMERICAN BONSAI SOCIETY/JOSHUA ROTH NEW TALENT CONTEST DETAILS
  
  
• MABS!
  Friday evening, April 20 to Sunday afternoon, April 22
  Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey hotel in PA
  Check out the details here: http://www.midatlanticbonsai.freeservers.com/fescurr.htm
  
  John Thompson, bonsai artist based in San Jose, California, will open this year’ MidAtlantic Spring Bonsai Festival. His bonsai eye has been influenced mainly by nature, John Naka, Kathy Shaner, Harunobu Tokita, and Boon Manakitivipart and many other renowned artists.
  
  John has demonstrated, taught, and led workshops at conventions and for numerous clubs. He writes a monthly care column for several Bay area clubs, has authored articles for ABS and other bonsai publications. In his workshops and demonstrations he tries to utilize the unique characteristics and/or flaws in a tree – the characteristics that will set it apart from others of the same species. He emphasizes transplanting, wound healing, grafting, and effective wiring in the process of developing bonsai. John's experience and bonsai collection encompass a wide range of species and styles. Perhaps he is best known for his driving passion for collected trees, notably Oak bonsai, Sierra junipers, Boxwood, Pine, and some other species. A must for everyday is being in touch with his trees, including touching them. In addition to the listed activities, John has served on the board of directors of both ABS and Golden State Bonsai Federation.
  
  At the 29th Spring Festival he will present a lecture/demonstration on Friday night, April 20th and another on Saturday the 21th. On Saturday, late afternoon he will conduct a critique of the Member’s Exhibit Trees. Then on Sunday afternoon, April 22nd, JT will lead a workshop using boxwood. The workshop, limited to 8 participants will cost $200.
  
  Participants will bring their own tools, wire, and miscellaneous items. If a tree of yours fills the “pride and joy” category of your collection, consider having our mavens select it for one of the three YAMA KI will exhibit at the MABS Spring Festival. There are no strictures about species, size, style, or container. You will be expected to have an appropriate mount for your specimen, and by April 1st send an email with the basic data of the tree. Meanwhile, please contact Mike Pollock or John Cotoggio to let them now you have a tree for consideration. If you have interim questions, call Rhoda Kleiman (212) 724 – 7840 YAMA KI’s delegate to the MABS Board.
  
  
• U. S. National Bonsai Exhibition!
  Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, 2012 9 AM to 5 PM
  Check out the details here: website, Event Info, Display Your Bonsai