John Thompson of San Jose

This distinguished California bonsai artist - JT, as he is known to students and friends across North America - will be a special guest of the Vancouver Island Bonsai Club (VIBC) and Glendale Gardens and Woodland (GG&W) on the weekend of March 20th and 21st,2010.

Saturday March 20th

Though members of VIBC, GG&W, and designated visitors are welcome to drop in at any time to watch the process as “silent observers” , JT will be coaching bonsai members all that day on the design of their own trees. Some of the trees will be new material collected on Vancouver Island. This session has 8 openings for members of VIBC. The cost of the workshop is $100.00 plus bring your own tree. Sign-up sheet will be available at the next 2 meetings and fee is payable at sign-up. This workshop session will take place in the Glass House at Glendale Gardens, 505 Qualye Rd. beginning at 9:30 AM. There will be no charge for members of any Vancouver Island Bonsai Club.

Sunday March 21st

Starting at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, JT will give a demonstration on the creation of a bonsai. He will be working with a wild Mountain hemlock, Tsuga Mertensiana, collected several years ago from the 4000’ elevation on a Vancouver Island mountain. Members* of the VIBC look forward to joining with GG&W friends and others, many of whom may be attending a demonstration of this art form for the first time by a world class teacher.