by Lee Squires

APRIL 9 & 10 2010

The Greater Louisville Bonsai Society is pleased to sponsor an exciting demonstration and workshop by Mr. Bjorn Bjorholm, owner of Bjorvala Bonsai Studio in Knoxville, Tennessee. Bjorn started an interest in bonsai at age 13. His goal for the past 10 years has been to "better myself and my fellow enthusiasts across the United States and throughout the western world in the art of bonsai." He majored in Japanese language, moved to Kyoto, Japan and became a bonsai apprentice in Osaka. According to his article in Issue Number 1, 2010 of the ABS Journal, Bjorn was introduced to Master Keiichi Fujikawa of Kouka-en Nursery in Osaka, Japan in 2002 at 16 years of age. He wasn’t sure about making bonsai his career choice, so he did not ask Mr. Fujikawa for an apprenticeship at that time and returned to the U.S. to finish school. Mr. Fujikawa did not think Bjorn’s Japanese was up to par but, after some letter writing and coaxing, Mr. Fujikawa agreed to give him a three-month trial period as an apprentice. The rest “is history” as they say.

Bjorn will be writing periodic articles for the ABS Journal, and his next article will be on spring maintenance tips for deciduous bonsai, in particular Japanese & Trident Maples. This comes at a great time since our March meeting will be creating forests using Japanese & Trident Maples.

If not a member of the American Bonsai Society, contact our George Buehler, future ABS President, about joining.

THE PARTICULARS

Demonstration, Friday, April 9th – Austin’s Restaurant, 4950 U.S. Hwy. 42 Louisville Telephone: 423-1990
5:30 – 6:30 Attitude Adjustment Hour – Cash Bar
6:30 – 7:30 Dinner – spouses, friends, horticulture enthusiasts invited
7:30 until ? Demonstration
COST : $30.00 per person (if you’re on a diet, skip lunch), tax & tip included.
Choice of: Bourbon Sirloin, Baked Salmon or Chicken Breast
ALL attendees are required to purchase a meal.

This is another GLBS "first" – a great sit down dinner and a demo by a bonsai master

Bring Your Own Tree Workshop, with Bjorn - Saturday, April 10th Bon Air Library 10:00 - 2:00 – bring your own lunch or eat out

COST : $50.00 per person …..$10.00 for observers
Pick up a good tree at a nursery, something with plenty of branches and potential for Bjorn to help you create a masterpiece bonsai – don’t bring a discount store reject.

Send check for all costs prior to the events BEFORE APRIL 1ST to
Lee Squires, 405 Springwood Ln.,Louisville, Ky. 40207.