NABF Newsletter #2
February 2003

The Bonsai Wonders of the
Southeast Region of North America

Welcome to the second issue of the NABF Newsletter, focusing on the Southeast region of North America. For creating this illuminating issue, we are indebted to Lee Vanderpool (Southeast Regional Editor), Joe Day (Southeast Regional Assistant Editor), Andy Rutledge (Webmaster), and all the state editors in the Southeast region who assisted so ably.

Lee Vanderpool lives in Florida, where winter is viewed throught the prism of the evening news. Close by are the buttonwoods and bald cypresses so sought after by bonsai lovers in these parts. Also near is the Morikami Museum - - where visitors will be delighted by the wonderful bonsai collection under the curatorship of Dick Miller and by the inspiring Japanese gardens created by Hoiche Kurisu.

This issue also highlights the very special bonsai collection at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC. There, Curator Arthur Joura is expanding our knowledge and use of native trees as bonsai and, through the Carolina Bonsai Expo held each October at the Arboretum, is making Asheville an important center for the art of bonsai.

The quality of the bonsai in the Southeast region is truly astonishing, and this point is emphasized image-by-image in the bonsai gallery in this issue. Most of these bonsai have been rarely, if ever, seen in exhibits or photo galleries, but the images shown in this issue attest to the artistry of the bonsai enthusiasts in this region. And this is only the tip of the iceberg; as Joe Day points out:

"There are many, many, bonsai that are as good as or much better than what is shown. Lots of silent, excellent artists in the region. Hope some day we can find a way to give all of them some credit."

The region, of course, has many outstanding bonsai teachers. One such teacher who is much beloved and respected -- Vaughn Banting -- was kind enough to share an unusual technique for creating taper on large collected trees, specifically bald cypresses.

We are hopeful that this Newsletter, as its focus in this and future issues moves from region to region, will reveal a surprising elevation of the art of bonsai throughout North America -- much as the 1989 book, Outstanding American Bonsai: A Photographic Essay on the Works of Fifty American Artists, by Randy Clark and Peter Voynovich confirmed that North American bonsaiists had learned a thing or two about this Asian art form. The Newsletter will also continue to pay homage to the great teachers of North America such as John Naka who have made it possible for us to enjoy our world of bonsai today.

The next issue of the Newsletter will focus on the Northeast region and be edited by Bill Valavanis ( Northeast Regional Editor) and Jerry Stowell (Northeast Regional Assistant Editor). Its expected release date is June 1, 2003.

NABF will extend until June 30, 2003 the deadline for bonsai clubs in North America to become Charter Members of NABF.

The NABF Editorial Team
February 2003