The Iowa Bonsai Association held one of their annual Bonsai shows Saturday and Sunday at Reiman Gardens. Since the non-profit organization was founded in 1979, its goal has been to “promote the appreciation and development of bonsai,” and one way they have been achieving their goal is through their three annual Bonsai shows. 

Although the organization is based in Des Moines, they occasionally host events and visit shows outside of the Des Moines area as well. The Iowa Bonsai Association meets once a month with the purpose of providing a “helpful and supportive atmosphere” to everyone interested in bonsai, as well as opportunities to participate in workshops, Bonsai shows, collecting trip and educational demonstrations sponsored by the association.  

At Reiman Gardens, the association displayed many unique and stunning bonsai trees, along with information about the species, age and owner of each tree. They presented antique and contemporary pots, stands and accent plants to go with the bonsai trees, as well as a two-hour informational Bonsai demonstration in the Reiman Gardens Auditorium. Members of the association were also available around the venue to help answer any questions about Bonsai from visitors. 

Ron Heinen, an Iowa Bonsai Association member and retired visual arts teacher, shared that his interest in Bonsai grew from his experience as an art teacher and jokingly mentioned that it sparked from the bonsai tree his girlfriend gifted him. Heinen has been honing his craft and studying bonsai for 32 years now, and he also designs and sells bonsai pots. 

Heinen, while thoughtfully trimming and wiring his bonsai tree for visitors to observe, explained that he appreciates the annual Reiman Gardens Bonsai show because he believes that it “helps bring exposure to the art form of bonsai.”

Outside of the showroom, tables full of Bonsai trees and locally crafted bonsai-related items were set up for visitors to purchase. Visitors could also find informational books about the techniques and design of Bonsai. 

According to a brochure from the association, “Bonsai” literally means “tree-in-a-pot” in both Chinese and Japanese, and the purpose of bonsai is to “create a work of art that reflects and amplifies the natural forms of trees.” The practice of bonsai has been around for almost 2000 years, providing “time for quiet relaxation, and release from tension resulting from high-stress environments” to many people, and members of the association recommend that everyone should try it.

The Iowa Bonsai Association encourages anyone with any level of experience interested in learning more about the art of bonsai or the association to visit their website, and to consider applying for a membership.