We were so pleased to have Gordon Deeg, Curator of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland visit us recently.
Gordon Deeg, Curator of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt
Gordon Deeg’s interest in bonsai began in the mid 1960’s, while viewing a bonsai show at the California State Fair in Sacramento. He then joined the American Bonsai Club of Sacramento.
In 2002, Gordon went to Japan to study with Yasuo Mitsuya, one of the world’s renowned bonsai experts in contemporary bonsai. Gordon is active in Sei Boku Bonsai Kai, Kusamura Bonsai Club, Bay Area Satsuki Aikokai, Bay Area Bonsai Associates, Bay Area Shohin, and a bonsai club called the Electric Termites. He has also been a major orchestrator of the California Shohin Society, which hosts the biannual Shohin Seminar in Santa Nella, California.
As Curator of the Bonsai Garden his goals are to improve the garden landscape, acquire museum quality trees and ensure the health and artistic vision of the collection.
Gordon understands the importance of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt volunteers. He said “The real folks that run the garden are the volunteers. Without the volunteers this garden would not exist. The trees and the garden space and buildings are important, but the volunteers are the most important asset here.” We really enjoyed having Gordon Deeg present to us, feel free to comment below with your reflections on this month's topic, have you visited the Bonsai Garden yet? We'd love to hear what members thought of this presentation!
Comments