On Dec. 2, 1975, a small group of people with a common interest in bonsai met and, as a result of that meeting, Sho Fu Bonsai Society was formed.
Sho Fu literally translates as “wind in the pines”, but to club members it has meant so much more. For 40 years, Sho Fu has meant sharing an interest in a centuries-old art form. It means an informative monthly meeting where people can learn more about bonsai, camaraderie with an interesting cross section of people, and it is a place where world-renowned bonsai masters teach their art to an ever growing audience.
In 2007 Sho Fu undertook collaboration with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and put together a world-class permanent bonsai exhibit through donations from club members, maintaining the trees of the exhibit with volunteers from the Sho Fu membership. This exhibit is visited by the more than 140,000 people who come to Selby Gardens each year. Many people, for the first time, can actually see bonsai trees on display, and enjoy the beauty of this ancient art form.
Sho Fu membership includes monthly meetings at Selby Gardens which includes guest bonsai artists and workshops to help members, both old and new, increase their knowledge of bonsai.