Page 61 - BSAM 2016 Q4

From August 26th to 28th 2016, the Société de bonsaï et de penjing de Montréal (SBPM) Annual Show was held at the Montreal Bo- tanical Garden. It was a small exquisite show with warm and friendly club members tak-
ing their time to make over 2200 visitors welcome. is juried show revealed 42 of the best bonsai from three groups, beginner, intermediate and expert trees. It also had 4 “guest bonsai” from previous shows that had been donated by the society to the Montreal Bo- tanical Garden years ago. ese particular trees are like old friends to the more long-time members as they are the result of visiting bonsai masters who have
given workshops to the Société.
e judging process is quite vigorous since there
are almost 400 members in this society from all over Quebec and nearby provinces.
Vice president, Isabelle Harvey, explained that the society works hard to maintain the interest of mem- bers who are at all levels of knowledge in the SBPM. Several things are done. At a typical meeting about 100 people attend, questions are encouraged. ere is a focus on one species; how to keep it healthy and with styling tips for that particular tree led by a presenter. Detailed presentations are recorded which are pro- jected onto the screen above the audience so that all are able to see. Interestingly, the presentation is then made available for sale. As follow up, a weekend work- shop is held where a Saturday morning is devoted to beginners, the a ernoon for the intermediates and the Sunday morning for the most experienced.
Facing page; Ulmus parvifolia
from the Montréal Botanical Garden, Penjing Collection.
This page:
Top ; Entrance to the Montréal Botanical Garden, Penjing Collection.
Middle left; Montréal Botanical Garden Conservatory, Penjing Collection.
Middle right; Outdoor exhibit space.
Bottom left; Club member Linda Chicoine is working on her Thuja occidentalis (Yamadori) for show visitors.
Bottom right; Club member Marie-Claude Tessier working on a Thuja occidentalis.
October/November/December 2016 | BCI | 59