Gualala Arts Workshop
Bonsai
Instructor: Bob Shimon

Wednesdays
January 31 - February 21, 2007
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tuition: $100 members; $110 non-members
Materials Fee: $25
Minimum 8 students; maximum 12 students
Tools needed: garden pruning shears and scissors

Many locals know Bob Shimon as the middle school teacher who retired two years ago after working at Point Arena Elementary for 34 years, but Bob is also a nationally-recognized bonsai hobbyist and teacher. His personal collection trained for over twenty years and was featured at the Japanese American Exhibit at Gualala Arts in 2006.

Bob will explain the ancient art of cultivating artificially dwarfed trees which will emphasize character and sense of age. You will learn how to cut the bases so that they can develop a proper root system in a special mixture. Then you will learn how to feed, groom and wire the branches to develop the ideal qualities for bonsai. You will learn about the variety of trees suitable for miniaturization, although Bob specializes in redwood trees.

These four workshops will give everyone an appreciation of the lifelong commitment needed for bonsai cultivation and the knowledge to start their own bonsai.

For more information, contact the instructor at shimon@mcn.org.