Page 60 - BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Q1 2025

Celebrating 60 Years
of Bonsai Artistry
and Community The Toronto Bonsai Society’s
Landmark Exhibit
By Joe Grande, Canada
Photography by Jay Madore,
courtesy of the Toronto Bonsai Society
cultural hub, provided a vibrant backdrop
Toronto, Canada’s largest city and a global
for the Toronto Bonsai Society’s (TBS)
60th-anniversary exhibit. A world-class
metropolis, Toronto blends natural beauty,
cultural diversity, and urban sophistication. For bonsai
enthusiasts, the city offers inspiration through serene
spaces like its numerous ravines, beaches along Lake
Ontario, the Toronto Botanical Garden, and High
Park’s Japanese-themed gardens, which reflect the
harmony and balance central to bonsai. Its culinary
scene, featuring everything from international street
food to newly-anointed Michelin-starred fine dining,
mirrors Toronto’s multicultural heritage and promises
unforgettable dining experiences. Art and history
lovers can explore the Royal Ontario Museum and the
Art Gallery of Ontario, while vibrant neighborhoods
like Kensington Market, Little Italy, the Danforth, and
the Distillery District offer a mix of local charm and
global influences. Together, these elements enriched
my experience as I attended the TBS exhibit as editor
of BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine.
Exhibit Venue
The exhibit was held at the Toronto Botanical Garden,
an idyllic venue that perfectly complements the artistry
of bonsai. Located on the site of the former Civic Centre
58 | BCI | January/February/March 2025