Eric Newton to lead Children’s workshop sponsored by the Jack Wikle Bonsai Legacy at the upcoming Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition
Jack Wikle was the presenter at Eric’s first bonsai club meeting
Bonsai Exhibition Workshop – Children’s Workshop. Price: $10.00. Description: Sunday, October 18 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Workshop Leader: Eric Newton Bring the little ones for this fun and family-friendly bonsai workshop! Participants will learn the basics of bonsai design, styling, and care in a hands-on environment. The workshop fee includes a bonsai tree to create and take home. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend and assist their young bonsai enthusiasts. Limit: 10 Participants
As with many people, Eric’s first exposure to bonsai was The Karate Kid movie. He was fascinated by the little trees. In 1998, he was gifted two bonsai trees: a ficus and procumbens juniper, then promptly killed them both! However, rather than quitting and declaring, “I can’t grow bonsai, I tried and killed them”, he instead dove in headfirst to learn what he did wrong. He began reading everything he could find on the subject, joined the Bonsai Society of Kalamazoo, and started taking workshops whenever possible. He was blessed as Ben Oki was the club sensei, and he visited the club each year for many years. Oki gave Eric a huge confidence boost when he said to the other club members, “He is going to be good, look at the beautiful jin he made!” Another key influencer on his development was Jack Wikle, who was the presenter at Eric’s first club meeting. Jack showed the club his beautiful tiny trees (mame size) and was amazed at the details and feelings evoked by such small bonsai. Eric started teaching in the early 2000’s at local clubs and the Michigan All-State Show. He says he was hooked, bitten by the bonsai bug and has enjoyed growing and caring for them ever since. He feels strongly that bonsai is a lifelong learning experience that never stops, and teaching is one of the best ways to learn. He loves to share his knowledge and learn from the insightful questions that come up while teaching.
Register Here: https://hidden-lake-gardens-tipton.cloveronline.com/bonsai-exhibition-workshop-childrens-workshop-1F5Z0GG1PNXV4