BONSAI PERSON OF THE YEAR 2009

If you had to award an individual who has profoundly contributed to the bonsai community in 2009, who would that be and why? It does not have to be a prominent person, could be a clubmember or even your spouse..

-dorothy

Kath and Malcolm Hughes, for their passion,hard work and faith in bring British bonsai together at the
Best of British Bonsai show in April 2009.

Gobally, Mario Komsta.
Inpirational vision, fine trees and styling.

Locally, Gerwyn Renyolds.
Dragon bonsai Chairperson.
His common sense approach and fair play attitude has given the members of Dragon a feeling of well being and the freedom to explore the noble art of bonsai.

Thanks Jeremy. Good idea to classify it, so I'll follow your example:

Locally:

Martha Goff, Member of Bonsai Society of Southwest Florida , http://www.thebonsaisswfl.com/

She is the author of the Green Sheets Tropical Manual. Very generous supporter of sharing the knowledge of bonsai and a nice person!

Statewide:

Jim Smith, owner and operator of Durastone Nursery in Vero Beach, http://www.jimsmithbonsai.com/

Greatest person I have ever met in Bonsai!!

Worldwide:

That one was difficult since there are so many great artists and good teachers who would deserve to be mentioned. One person stood out in the last few days to me. And that was Lindsay Farr! I took the time and watched a good number of videos. Great interviews and spectecular views of some far places in the world. I really enjoy watching his "episodes" over and over. How nice it is of him to share it with us!!

-dorothy

dorothy7774,

Locally I would nominate JGeanangle for his positive attitude, his willingness to share his knowledge, his videos and his work in the display he and Ken Duncan (I aplogize if there were others involved) executed at the Carolinas Bonsai Expo (see IBC thread An Alternative to Traditional Bonsai Display).

Statewide I would nominate Arthur Joura for his work pulling off another Carolinas Bonsai Expo

Globally, Bill Valvanis for pulling of the US National Exhibit. I didn't go, I didn't buy the book, but I heard great things about it, and can't imagine anyone else being able to pull it off.

Regards,
Martin

MartinSweeney wrote:Globally, Bill Valvanis for pulling of the US National Exhibit. I didn't go, I didn't buy the book, but I heard great things about it, and can't imagine anyone else being able to pull it off.

I second.

Will Heath wrote:

MartinSweeney wrote:Globally, Bill Valvanis for pulling of the US National Exhibit. I didn't go, I didn't buy the book, but I heard great things about it, and can't imagine anyone else being able to pull it off.

I second.

I agree!

Locally in UK
I would go for Rob Atkinson from Seaham in NE England
Rob is an inspiration to us all with his vision of material and workshops in the local area

Nationally in UK
I second Jerry's nomination of Malcolm and Kath Hughes
Followed by Tony T for his cheeky montages!!!

Internationally
Difficult, but I will go for Mark Noelanders of Belgium

Graham

Nationally(UK) i'd give it to Sir Tony Tickle,for encouraging more new people into bonsai than any one else recently,a feat which should not be underestimated.

Globally,i'd give the big award to Lord KEVIN BAILEY for getting this fine forum up running and back to greatness,we will be forever in his debt

And also a special award to sheep all over the world,the greatest bonsai artists of all

I only have one nomination and it's quite personal to me, but I feel it reflects the spirit of the bonsai community - a community in which I have met many fabulous people this year (including more than a few IBCers!) - but for me this person stands out.

My nomination is for Tony Tickle.

I only met Tony in May of this year, which seems incredible considering the impact he has had on my life in such a short time.

In my experience, Tony's generosity and hospitality are boundless, he gives his time freely and is more than happy to pass on his wealth of experience and teaching - even to a beginner like me! I always look forward to our next meeting because I know I will grow as a person and my enjoyment and understanding of bonsai will deepen that little but further. Tony also puts on the Burrs weekend workshop where a bunch of fantastic people with fantastic trees can get together for a marathon bonsai weekend - what an experience for a first timer, I'm already signed up to go again next year! For all this and more, I'd like to say a public "Thanks" to Tony.

I'd also like to award a Certificate of Outstanding Merit to Malcolm and Kath Hughes and everyone else involoved in putting on the Best of British Bonsai exhibition this year - not only was it a jaw dropping, awe inspiring show but it was that event that started me on my current path in bonsai for which I am truly grateful.

Matt

p.s. Lee beat me to it as I typed this but my nomination still stands ... or my maybe I'm seconding Lee's nomination?

This is a great idea but terribly difficult to decide as I’ve been so lucky with the vast amount of Bonsai people that I have met this year but here goes:-

Local
Andy “Stone Monkey” Pearson.
His help and inspiration to me, along with being my personal chauffer, this year has been fantastic. Through him I’ve met some wonderful and inspirational members of the Bonsai community and taken the first serious steps within my hobby. Cheers bud!!

National
Tony Tickle, closely followed by Malcolm & Kath Hughes.
I think that Lee & Matt have just about covered it but I feel that Tony is really trying to champion our passion at all levels in the UK and this must be applauded.

Global
I’m with Lee, Kev Bailey. Producing a website of this scale is not a 5 minute job and I think that his work has been fantastic. Although at times we can all agree to disagree, this Forum has made the Bonsai world a smaller but no less exciting place.

Love, Peace & Bananas,
Simon

Hi Dorothy
I have never seen such a question posed and it certainly gets the grey matter working.

With respect to the global bonsai person of the year, I have seen quite a few European and North American Beyond gurus and I think they would all stand a chance in my opinion, What really surprised me about your post and moreso your vote was that you mentioned Lindsay Farr.

At the outset I should make it clear that I am an aussie (and its bleeding hot here at the moment , uncustomary for many in the northern hemisphere at this time of year)

With a population of only circa 24 million, we have insignificant number in proportion to many countries. From a bonsai perspective we are a young country and don’t have the same heritage of plants that some European or even North American countries. Having said that we have a powering bonsai community and I hope that one day we can contribute as equals around the world.

To see you nominate Lindsay Farr made me really proud for a couple of reasons:
1. I have only met Lindsay once, but quickly came to the realisation of how generous he is in terms of sharing knowledge and experience.
2. How much he unselfishly promotes bonsai. You have obviously seen his website and the free videos that he has produced. I cant even begin to imagine how much these have cost him to produce either directly or indirectly.
3. Thirdly that I am an aussie and am proud to know Lindsay and the fact that one of our Aussie “blokes” could be appreciated, I am sure your nominsation will be appreciated by all of us down-under


Good luck to all nominees and I hope that you all have a safe and happy festive season

Regards
Steve

I vote for Tony T, He is the only one that could teach me something this year.
Localy I dont know, maybe I vote for Morten Albek he is the most active I think.

Peter