This workshop will feature the itoigawa shimpaku juniper (Juniperus chinensis Itoigawa). The itoigawa variety is a vase-shaped, slow-growing cultivar that is known for twisting movement and brighter, thinner foliage than the standard shimpaku. These trees are in 1-gallon pots. The primary focus of this workshop will be what to look for in creating bonsai; design and wiring will be covered. The goal of this class is to come away with a tree that has its first initial styling and is on its way to becoming a bonsai.
This program meets in person at the Arboretum.
Instructor: Mark Fields
Age: 16 and older
Course number: V111
Mark Fields
Mark Fields is the Prairie State Bonsai Society 2023 bonsai guest artist. His passion for bonsai began at about age 9 when he first encountered bonsai at the nursery down the street from where he lived. He joined the Indianapolis Bonsai Club in 1979 and has been a member and past president. From 1983 to 2006 he owned and operated a landscape business, Fields Landscape Concepts. As part of the landscape business, he sold bonsai, pre-bonsai, and supplies. In 2011, with a gentle push from friends such as bonsai artist and author Craig Cousins, and bonsai artist Warren Hill, he founded his own school of bonsai. He currently operates a new business, Bonsai by Fields, LLC, where he performs demonstrations, lectures, and workshops using a wide variety of trees. His Japanese white pine won first place in the professional category at the 2019 Midwest Bonsai Society’s August show.
What to Know
Supplies: Price includes materials.
Students are asked to bring in the tools they have on hand. Extra tools will be provided by Prairie State Bonsai Society.
Material selection is by lottery drawing.
Program Schedule
Saturday, August 5, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center
