The Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) created its first Annual Bonsai Show at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa, California on October 21, 1984, featuring a then Club Sensei Mas Imazumi demonstration, raffle, door prizes, and no admission fee.
That first bonsai exhibition may have been displaying a small quantity of bonsai and lasting only six hours in duration. By the next year, the annual show was expanded to seven hours and featured a similar demonstration, general raffle, special raffle, plants for sale, and refreshments.
Ever since that very first bonsai show, there have been other features added, including the additional day, Sunday. A large vendors area is well stocked, where one can buy bonsai, pre-bonsai, pots, stands, suiseki, books, tools, and other bonsai related items, plus accent plants. The large members sale area offers a wide variety of bonsai, pre-bonsai, stands, pots, and more. There is the Bonsai Café that offers refreshments. There are quality bonsai, bonsai related items, wine, and other donated gifts for silent auction or “Buy It Now”.
As the club membership grew, so did the annual show. Now in its 34th year, the annual show has expanded to become the largest, single club sponsored bonsai exhibition in the US.
The 34th REBS Annual Show will take place on August 26 and 27, 2017 and features the renown, certified Master Bonsai Artist and Instructor Kathy Shaner, as Club Sensei and demonstrator. The Veterans Memorial Building main hall currently exhibits more than 200 bonsai. There are additional Shohin (bonsai less than eight inches tall) on display, as well as Suiseki (viewing stones).
Kathy Shaner will demonstrate bonsai advanced techniques on quality material, both days, from 1-3pm. Demonstration material will be raffled upon completion of each demonstration.
