Our annual SF Garden Show display has come and gone. While the display itself was
masterfully assembled by Eric Schrader and the quality of trees, stands and accents was impressive with many members participating, the experience this year left many wanting more.
I think it is time for the Bonsai Society of San Francisco to return to its home in the County Fair Building with a larger annual exhibit that allows all members to participate fully. When I joined the club in 1994 we were putting on an annual show with no entry fees, a large exhibit, generous sales area and on going demos, raffles and workshops. This show was set up on a Friday night and open to the public during the day on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night the option exists to have a party for invited guests and friends and to have special demonstrators and raffles.

Our display at the SF Garden Show gives us unprecedented access to a great many people but its future is limited in terms of engaging the full membership of the club and our abilities. A show here, in the Hall of Flowers, would give us the opportunity to really show what we can do, not just for the public but also for us. I think we can do both. In the past couple of years we have mounted smaller displays for other events like the Friends of the Urban Forest auction and to compliment a Japanese painting exhibit at The Asian Art museum. Pursuing these other venues is good for our club and good for our trees and helps us develop our skills. And we should continue to pursue these smaller limited displays which the Garden Show has now become.

I challenge you all to work toward this goal of a large, inclusive bonsai show held annually in The Hall of Flowers. In the coming months the club must submit a schedule to the Park Service for 2008. In the next board meeting I will initiate a discussion on when that could take place. At the upcoming meetings we will be asking members to commit to helping with the planning and execution of all the elements that must go into this show.

This can only work if we all participate and get to work early. The rewards will be great both for our club and our growth as individuals and the public which will see what we can do given the freedom to run our own show.

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