for immediate release

Calling All Bonsai Enthusiasts!

School of the Chicago Botanic Garden Offers Spring Workshops

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 6, 2008)—Acclaimed bonsai artist Ivan Watters, curator of bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden, will teach the following workshops in the spring of 2009 at the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden:

Bonsai: Beginner – Basics and Fundamentals – Six Sundays, April 5 through May 24 (no class Apr. 12 & 19), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This class acquaints students with the principles and techniques needed to appreciate and participate in the art of bonsai. Each offers a detailed lecture and assistance with design, styling and wiring. After the first session, participants are expected to bring their own plant material to create a bonsai. Tools and wire are supplied. Cost is $224. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $179.

Bonsai: Novice – Development Techniques – Six Wednesdays, April 8 through May 13, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Presents concepts that assume considerable familiarity and experience with fundamentals of bonsai. Each offers a brief lecture, supervised work on trees and a review/critique of work undertaken. Participants are expected to bring their own plant materials to work on, pots, soil components, KLN wire and tools. Cost is $262. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $209.

Bonsai: Intermediate – Refinement Techniques – Six Saturdays, April 11 through May 23 (no class Apr. 18), 9 a.m. to noon

This class assumes knowledge of bonsai concepts and experiences with the art beyond the novice level. The workshop offers a brief lecture, supervised work on trees and a review/critique of work undertaken. Participants are expected to bring their own plant materials to work on, pots, soil components, KLN wire and tools. Cost is $287. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $229.

Bonsai: Advanced – Presentation-Quality Efforts – Six Sundays, April 5 through May 24 (no class Apr. 12 & 19) , 9 a.m. to noon

This class is for students who have completed the first three levels and consists of supervised work on trees. Participants are expected to bring their own plant materials to work on, pots, soil components, KLN wire and tools. Cost is $312. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $249.

Watters has been a bonsai practitioner for 45 years, and has helped build the Garden’s bonsai collection into one of the top three in North America. He has studied with bonsai master Susumu Nakamura of the Shonan School of Bonsai in Yokohama, Japan, as well as with prominent bonsai teachers in the United States.

For more information, or to register, call the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden at (847) 835-8261, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.