Chicago Botanic Garden’s new bonsai Curator.

I are pleased to announce that our former summer intern and volunteer Chris Baker, has been selected as the next Curator of the bonsai collection at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Chris is assuming the position after the retirement of longtime curator, Ivan Waters.

In addition to his time working at the National Collection, Chris spent 1 year apprenticing with Mr. Tohru Suzuki at  Daijuen in Okazaki, Japan.

Chris has been a huge asset to us, both he and his contributions to the Museum will be missed.  Chris assumes the position April 21st and will be returning to DC in May to take part in our annual PBA Bonsai Festival in his new role.

New year, new logo.

Happy New Year! 2012 marked a hugh year for the Capital Bonsai Blog with over 24,000 views in 2012. Capital Bonsai has also expanded into the realm of YouTube with more videos planned for 2013.

To further raise the profile of Capital Bonsai a new logo has been designed by my friend and Bonsai Museum volunteer Danny Coffey.

Danny, a graphic designer by trade, has recently decided to take his love of bonsai to the next level and as of Jan 1st is on his way to Japan to begin his trial apprentice with Mr. Junichiro Tanaka of Aichi-en. If accepted, Danny will begin his formal multi-year appreticeship following in the footsteps of current Aichien apprentice Peter Tea.

Fortunatly for Danny, he already has experienced some of the tasks of an apprentice, namely manual labor. All of us at the Bonsai Museum will miss him and are very excited for him to return with all the knowledge and expereice he will undoubtly aquire.