$1000 Ben Oki Bonsai Scholarship is Open for Applications!

California Bonsai Society is proud to announce The Ben Oki Bonsai Scholarship Fund. Ben was a man who was happiest when he was practicing or teaching bonsai.

To honor Ben’s spirit, CBS will be making two $1000 grants available to anyone in the bonsai community! This grant can to be used to attend classes, workshops, studying with a professional, or other bonsai-related educational activity. Grantees will be expected to to give back to the bonsai community in some way; such as a club demonstration or online video showing what they’ve learned as a result of receiving the scholarship, as well as providing photos and a short write-up of their experience. Applicants must describe how they plan to use the grant to improve their bonsai skills, and what they will commit to give back to the bonsai community. Be creative! There are many ways to grow as a practitioner and give back. Those who receive scholarships agree to provide the California Bonsai Society newsletter both photos and a short write-up of the experience within 15 days of completion to be published in the California Bonsai Society website newsletter.

The application period is open from May 1 through May 30, 2023. Winning applicants will be notified June 15.

Applications will be accepted from anyone in the bonsai community. Awarding of the scholarships will be by decision of a committee of California Bonsai Society Board members. All committee decisions are final. To apply, send an email to CaliforniaBonsaiSociety10@gmail.com.

Everyone in the bonsai community is encouraged to apply for this chance to expand your own bonsai knowledge and to help contribute to the bonsai community! Those interested in contributing to the scholarship fund as a way to honor Ben and to help promote bonsai is more than welcome to contact Robert Pressler, President of The California Bonsai Society, at the above email. CBS is a privately funded 501c3 corporation so any contributions may be tax deductible.