Page 65 - BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Q1 2025

Landmark Exhibit
As I entered the venue, I was warmly greeted and
escorted through the workshop and vendor areas before
being guided into the heart of the bonsai displays. The
hospitality of the TBS volunteers was palpable, setting
the tone for the entire event.
A 60th anniversary is significant for bonsai in the
West, particularly in Canada. The TBS, the oldest bonsai
club in the country, is known for cultivating some of
Canada’s finest bonsai. To celebrate this milestone,
the club curated a remarkable collection of their best
trees for the exhibit—a departure from their usual
open format, which accepts all trees submitted. Many
trees showcased the maturity and refinement that only
decades of care can achieve.
Growing bonsai in Canada is particularly challeng-
ing due to the short growing season and harsh winters.
This context adds depth to the exhibit, highlighting
the dedication and skill required to cultivate bonsai
in such a demanding climate.
Among the highlights were the Legacy Trees—bonsai
nurtured by multiple generations of practitioners.
These trees embody the enduring philosophy of bonsai:
imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Their ongoing
care symbolizes a journey rather than a destination,
offering rewards and satisfaction along the way. It’s
comforting to know these trees will continue to thrive,
cared for by future generations.
The exhibit also featured contributions from the
Montreal Botanical Garden’s Bonsai and Penjing
Collection, most of which were created by TBS artists
including Arthur Skolnik and David Johnson, who
donated these pieces to the Garden’s permanent collec-
tions. These collaborations reflect a shared dedication
to promoting bonsai and its precursor, penjing.
A small but striking selection of viewing stones was
curated by Jeffrey Shortt, who captivated visitors with
stories about the stones’ provenance and collectors.
Some stones were displayed alongside bonsai, adding
drama and depth to the presentation. Jeffrey’s advocacy
for this evocative art form aims to inspire TBS
members to incorporate viewing stones into their
bonsai practice.
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