Events

Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday August 11, 2026
Time:
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM – Free BYOT (bring your own tree) Workshop guided by Jesus Brito
first 20 members to sign up will participate. All others may observe.  Contact shofubonsai@gmail.com to sign up.
 
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Evening Program
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Jesus Brito (award winning artist from the Miami area) will host the afternoon workshop and offer advice, then give a presentation on styling an old Green Island ficus, which will be raffled, during the evening program.
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday September 8, 2026
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Paul Pikel (recently retired Epcot Chair of 20 years) will show us how to create all-wire bonsai trees. First 30 members to sign up make and take home a wire tree!
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday October 6, 2026
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
David Ford (Sho Fu member) will teach us all about Kintsugi – fixing broken pots using gold & resin.
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday November 10, 2026
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Kamil Sykora (Sho Fu member) will conduct a Black Pine workshop. Kamil has astounding Junipers and Black Pines, nurtured initially in North Carolina and brought/maintained here successfully.
Annual Member Meeting and Holiday Party
Date:
Saturday December 12, 2026
Time:
4:30 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Turtle Rock Community Center
8500 Turtle Rock Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34238
Description:
FOR MEMBERS ONLY – Our annual member meeting and Holiday Party!
Bring a dish (appetizer, dessert, etc) to share, BYOB, and a gift if you want to participate in the “Dirty Santa” (aka White Elephant) Gift Exchange; suggested theme is anything bonsai related, and approximately $25 in value.
 
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday January 12, 2027
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Dorothy Schmitz-Demarest (from Ft. Myers area, is BSF Exhibit Chair) will give a program on possibly a juniper, or tree TBD. The following day, Sho Fu is hosting a “Field Trip” to the Florida Natives Nursery. Cost of $20 per participant is paid by Sho Fu, but to reserve your spot and assure attendance, we request a $20 deposit from those who wish to join. The family-owned nursery staff will offer information about Florida native species—which is perfect for the BSF 2027 Convention Theme: Florida NATIVES!
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday February 9, 2027
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Dual Program: Bonsai Tools and Propagation.
Bruce Riggins, tool-maker and restoration specialist (Ft. Myers area) will offer a program on tool care/maintenance.  For a small fee, he will take back any tools members bring for sharpening or other needs and return later if anyone wishes to bring tools in need of care.
Kathrin Harris will offer a Power-Point and show examples of tree propagation using cuttings – a simple, free, and satisfying way to grow your bonsai collection.
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Wednesday March 3, 2027 (not regular day!)
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Larry Naeder, VP Suncoast Bonsai Society, owner of Thunderstruck Bonsai Nursery (St. Petersburg), and creator of Bonsai & Brews education events, will show us how to create faux rock & slab formations.
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Wednesday April 20, 2027
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
TBD
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday May 11, 2027
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Hiram Macias from Miami is our guest artist. He will demonstrate the creation of a literati on a Buttonwood. The tree will be raffled at the end of the program.  
Monthly Meeting
Date:
Tuesday June 8, 2027
Time:
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 
Location:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Description:
Display, Part 2: Hands-on workshop: Members bring the actual tree they plan to use along with their display setups, allowing us to talk through what works or might want improvement for each display.  Sho Fu intends to provide a “dim sum” cart with stands, pitas, and shitakusa available for loan to help each display shine.
Annual Show & Exhibit
Date:
Saturday July 17, 2027
Time:
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM 
Location:
St Marks Episcopal Church
508 Riviera Street
Venice, FL 34285
Description:
Annual Show & Exhibit – FREE and open to ALL!