The Bonsai Collection At The Japanese Garden is a project in the latter planning stages to create a permanent public bonsai tree exhibit in Fort Worth. An agreement has been signed with the management of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden to place the new exhibit in the west half of the Japanese Garden Courtyard just behind the iconic entrance tower. The exhibit will have an educational format through QR coding presenting the horticulture and care of bonsai trees and the influence of Japanese culture on the art.
“Seek nature’s harmony in bonsai”
THE BONSAI ART
Bonsai (pronounced bone-sigh) means ‘tree in a tray’ in Japanese. The art form began in China over 3,000 years ago and was taken up by the Japanese who refined the art into what we know today. It takes many years to decades with patient application of bonsai techniques for a tree to develop into a specimen. Bonsai is not just one species of tree, contrary to the general perception of the public. The bonsai art can be applied to a wide variety of species including many Texas native trees which will be emphasized in this exhibit.
The Dream for a Permanent Bonsai Exhibit
The concept for The Bonsai Collection was conceived in 2014 by a few members of the Fort Worth Bonsai Society, established in 1985.
Bonsai trees have been exhibited by the Fort Worth Bonsai Society in the Japanese Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for more than 25 years during the City-sponsored Japanese Spring and Fall Festivals. These weekend long exhibits continue to be a big hit with the visiting public and we learned a lot about the public perception of the bonsai art.
The thinking of the members just naturally developed into establishing a permanent bonsai exhibit in the Japanese Garden. The management of the Botanic Garden was approached in 2016 and expressed interest in the concept.
Funds were dedicated by the Fort Worth Bonsai Society to purchase a few trees and display materials. A pilot exhibit of 3 trees was started in 2017 and continues today on the east deck of The Treasure Tree Gift Shop on the Japanese Garden grounds. The pilot program has been successful and now the time has come to move to larger quarters.
The Bonsai Collection is Gaining Momentum
A conceptual plan has been designed featuring a 7-tree formal display structure and additional pedestals for 15-18 more bonsai trees, including some large specimens.
In 2023, a 7-person Board of Directors of avid bonsai enthusiasts incorporated in the State of Texas as a non-profit organization. The new corporation is now a separate entity from the Fort Worth Bonsai Society. The Board has hired as Curators for the collection, Howard and Sylvia Smith, a multiple award-winning couple who have been studying and practicing the bonsai art for over 28 years. The Smiths are owners of BonsaiSmiths Bonsai Nursery in north Dallas.
The Bonsai Collection currently owns 29 trees under the development of the Curators and volunteers. The Curators are the only compensated people in the organization. The Board of Directors and Volunteer members donate their time and services.
This symbol is a unique feature of the Japanese culture known as a ‘kamon’, a crest used to indicate family lineage. In more modern times, the kamon has been used to identify a location engaged in traditional crafts such as the bonsai art.
This kamon was designed by Deanna Smith for this bonsai collection and draws inspiration from Japanese traditional art and symbolism. The outside border represents the Circle of Life, in our case symbolizing the harmonious relationship between living bonsai trees and people. Three Cedar Elm leaves with seeds make up the center. The Cedar Elm is a prominent North Texas tree representing long life and this collection’s connection with Texas native trees.
© Copyright 2023 by The Bonsai Collection At The Japanese Garden, Inc.
DONATIONS
The Bonsai Collection Board is in the midst of a Capital Campaign to raise funds for the construction of the Bonsai Exhibit. TBC will be entirely supported by donations. No City or Botanic Garden funds are available for this project. All funds raised over our Capital Campaign construction goal will go into an Endowment Fund for the acquisition of better trees and the continuing maintenance of The Bonsai Collection far into the future.
We are a recognized 501(c)(3) educational charitable organization with all donations being tax deductible. We will be happy to supply a letter of donation for your tax records. All donors will be recognized on our website.
We will also accept bonsai related material donations, such as bonsai trees, pots, magazines, books, and so forth. Please email info@thebonsaicollection.org for more information. A letter of value of donation can be supplied for your tax records. This type of donation will also be recognized on our website.
The Newsletter will not be produced on a regular basis, but rather when noteworthy events happen or when important upcoming events are scheduled. An added feature will be a report on one of the bonsai trees in the collection.