2009 Southern Spring Home and Garden Show
Photos below show general shots of the bonsai on exhibit at the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show held at "The Park." (formerly known as the Merchandise Mart) in Charlotte, North Carolina March 4 - 8, 2009. The exhibit is produced by the membership of the Bonsai Society of the Carolinas. Additional information about this show or future shows is available by contacting Spring Show Chairman, Randy Clark at 704-392-9244 or randybonsai@carolinal.rr.com
The five day event showcases some of the best bonsai from throughout the Carolinas.
One of the most popular aspects of the show are the continuous and impromptu demonstrations which the club holds throughout the day. In this photo, Bonsai Society President, Bob Wymer show two club members how to properly wire and shape a cascade style bonsai.
Visitors to the show are asked to pick their favorite display from among the 8 bonsai exhibited each year. After three days of voting the results are tabulated and and winner is presented with the "Peoples Choice Award." It has become one of the most popular aspects of the clubs display. This year's winner of the award was Randy Clark, owner and instructor at The Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte. Photos of his display are included below.
Eight outstanding bonsai artist from throughout the region are asked to display examples of their work each year. From left to right: these three exhibits were produced by John Dixon; Rusty Harris and Steve Pilacik.
Another shot of Mr. Pilacik's exhibit can be seen in this photo along with exhibits by Randy Clark and John Geanangel.
Bonsai by Mike Brawley, Arthur Joura and Ken Duncan can be seen in this photo.
One of the newer aspects of the club's display is this educational section entirely produced by Society vice-president, Rusty Harris. This is the second year for the educational display which takes viewers on a step by step journey through the creation of a simple bonsai.
A detail of one of the educational displays shows a wired shimpaku juniper and a finished kingsville boxwood ready for display along with tools and soils necessary for the repotting phase.
Vice president Harris also produced a 15 minute video program for show visitors which provided information about the Bonsai Society of the Carolinas as well as showing a step by step lesson in the creation of a juniper bonsai. The television set and video system were generously donated for use during the show by Aaron Video Rentals. The plant on display next to the television is a Japanese Quince owned by Randy Clark in Charlotte.
Exhibitor #1
John Dixon
Charlotte, NC
Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'kiyohime'
Age: 20 years
In Training As Bonsai: 9 years
Exhibitor #2
Rusty Harris
China Grove, NC
Dwarf Hinoki Cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'nana'
Age: 10 years
In Training As Bonsai: 6 years
Wood round, moss, lichen and a doe and her fawn make a charming and appropriate accent planting to this composition which suggest the atmosphere of the Great Smokey mountains.
Exhibitor #3
Steve Pilacik
Matsu Momiji Bonsai Nursery
Fuquay Varina, NC
Japanese Black Pine
Pinus thunbergii 'mikawa'
Age: 50 years
In Training As Bonsai: 50 years
Exhibitor #4
Randy Clark
Bonsai Learning Center
Charlotte, NC
Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
Age: 25 years
In Training As Bonsai: 20 years
The addition of a ceramic figurine of a horse to the planting as well as an accent planting of lichen which also includes a ceramic horse give this charming planting an ambience of a woodland meadow in the warm days of summer.
Exhibitor #5
John Geanangel
Columbia, SC
Shimpaku Juniper Rock Planting
Juniprus chinensi sargenti 'shimpaku'
Age: 45 years
In Training As Bonsai: 15 years.
Note: Background art is a photo of moon and clouds also taken by Mr. Geanangel. Accent planting is a small dwarf fern.
Exhibitor #6
Mike Brawley
Charlotte, NC
Japanese Garden Juniper
Juniperus procumbens 'nana'
Age: 30 years
In Training As Bonsai: 25 years
Note: Painting of koi in backgound is a watercolor by Joyce Buchelle
Exhibitor #7
Arthur Joura
Curator of Bonsai
North Carolina Arboretum
Asheville, NC
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra
Age: 25 years
In Training As Bonsai: 20 years
Exhibitor #8
Ken Duncan
Tall Pines Bonsai
Columbia, SC
Narrowleaf Ficus
Ficus nerifolia
Age: 35 years
In Training as Bonsai: 30 years
This group or clump style planting of Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) was one of two "exhibit only" bonsai included in the show. It was created by the show's co-chairman, Rusty Harris. It is ten years old and has been in training as bonsai for the past two years.