Pacific Bonsai Museum Annual Report 2023

LIVING ART EVOLVES

2023 Annual Report

Cover photo: “Toppling Tradition,” Shore Pine (Pinus contorta var. Contorta) in training since 2016; bonsai by Michael Hagedorn; 3-D printed slabs by Kevin Bennett; steel stands by Erich Raudebaugh. Photo by Winifred Westergard.

Dear Friends,

Last year, Pacific Bonsai Museum proudly welcomed over 54,000 admission-free visitors: a new annual record! Thank you for embracing our grand outdoor setting. From our longtime friends to first-time visitors, new students in Bonsai Basics classes and all our fans, we welcomed you to enjoy our world-renowned art collection.

True to mission, we indeed connected more people from around the world through the living art of bonsai, giving us strength, peace, and solace in this noisy world. This was made possible because of our skilled volunteers and exceptional staff, with support from our local bonsai club community and leadership from our dedicated Board.

Our 2023 highlight was the groundbreaking exhibition, Avant-garden which pushed the boundaries of traditional bonsai aesthetics and captivated our visitors. We also gained international notoriety from our two-year exhibition, A Gallery of Trees: Living Art of Pacific Bonsai Museum which showcased our most iconic and historical bonsai.

And to our friends who couldn’t make it in person, did you see our bonsai online? We are so proud to have launched our first online showcase of our collection; if you have not seen it yet, you’re in for a treat. Head to our website to see archival photographs of bonsai in our collection, and check back, as we will continue to add more bonsai to the archive.

As we look back on our achievements of 2023, we also look forward to what will unfold in 2024 and extend an invitation to you and your friends to visit us in the coming months. Your enthusiasm fuels our passion for sharing the transformative power of bonsai. We hope we can count on you and your donations in support of our claim to being the gem museum of the Northwest.

Thank you for being a part of the rich legacy and future journey of the Pacific Bonsai Museum.

Grant Rauzi Chair, Board of Directors Pat Bako Executive Director

“Avant Disregard,” San Jose Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘San Jose’); In training since 1968; Bonsai by Rubin Guzman, restyled by Aarin Packard; Steel, aluminum and bronze sculpture by Benjamin Keating. Photo by Winifred Westergard.

PACIFIC BONSAI MUSEUM IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE.

54,000 VISITORS

IN 2023, WE WELCOMED OVER TO THE MUSEUM.

OUR CORE WORK

Admission by donation

EVOLVING THE ART

We push the boundaries of the art, design, craft and culture of bonsai: an ancient tradition that is evolving as a contemporary art practice as relevant to modern life as ever.

GROUNDBREAKING EXHIBITIONS

We present at least one major special exhibition, annually complete with interpretation, associated educational materials, public programming, and documentation. The commitment we make to high-quality exhibitions sets us apart as a leader among the world’s public bonsai collections.

ACCESS FOR ALL

Pacific Bonsai Museum believes that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the power and energy of our collection. We ensure that we welcome every member of our community by donation, turning away no one.

EXHIBITIONS

PHOTO BY WINIFRED WESTERGARD

‘Avant-garde’ is a term used to describe artists who are inventive, unorthodox, and ahead of their time. Our 2023 special exhibition, Avant-garden, presented works from such daring artists who have evolved their bonsai

practice through experimentation, innovation, and a willingness to take risks. The exhibition showcased the results of years of experimental techniques that pushed horticulture to its limits to achieve radical designs.

All the Avant-garden works challenged our expectations of what a bonsai should look like, and together, offered a glimpse into the future for an ancient art form.

PHOTO

Step inside the Avant-garden of bonsai where anything is possible, and be inspired.

PHOTO BY WINIFRED WESTERGARD

EXHIBITIONS

PHOTO BY WINIFRED WESTERGARD

A

Gallery of Trees: Living Art of Pacific Bonsai Museum

With A Gallery of Trees, Pacific Bonsai Museum reflected on our unique institution as we looked back over the last 30 years while looking toward the next three decades. From our origins as the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection established by the Weyerhaeuser

Company in 1989, to our transition to being an independent, non-profit art museum, bonsai in our collection have weathered every season and flourished under expert, loving care. Since then Pacific Bonsai Museum has grown into its position as an institution that

offers groundbreaking interpretative exhibitions and educational programs pushing the art of bonsai into innovative turns. A Gallery of Trees not only looked back but also forward. We honor the past by pushing for its evolution.

A Gallery of Trees: Living Art of Pacific Bonsai Museum Japanese Maple Forest (Acer palmatum); In training as a bonsai since 1970; Original artist: Warren Hill.

Amazon’s Seattle Spheres

BONSAI BASICS: 5

FUNDAMENTAL STYLES

SEATTLE SPHERES

JUL & AUG 2023

Our temporary exhibition in the Seattle Spheres presented five bonsai from our collection against the distinctive architecture of the space in the context of Amazon’s extensive botanic collection.

Our volunteer docents joined the Spheres staff for several public Saturdays. Staff at the Spheres reported:

“The exhibit has generated a ton of excitement from visitors so far. It has been wonderful to have your team join us; they are so knowledgeable, and the guests love talking to them!”

51 guests gathered with us in March 2023 to witness a live bonsai repotting performed by Curator Aarin Packard (pictured left, below) of this Gravenstein Apple ( Malus domestica ) in training as a bonsai since 1986. The original bonsai artist, Bob Laws (middle), joined us along with ceramicist Nao Tokutake (right) who donated a newlycommissioned container custom-made for the tree.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

A free, community event and celebrating World Bonsai Day, welcoming 5,000+ bonsai fans,

May 13 & 14.

BonsaiFEST!

Thank You to 4Culture and ArtsWA for making this event possible.

A free, community event and celebrating World Bonsai Day, welcoming 5,000+ bonsai fans,

May 13 & 14.

BonsaiFEST!

Thank You to 4Culture and ArtsWA for making this event possible.

Bonsai Demonstrations

SUMMER SOLSTICE OPEN HOUSE

On one of two nights in the year that we stay open late, we invited the public to breathe with us.

On Wednesday, June 21, visitors participated in free soundbath sessions led by breathing coach Mary Clymer. It was a relaxing, sensory healing experience for the mind, body, and soul serving to counter the stress and anxiety of everyday life.

Sound Bathing

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the former Weyerhaeuser Headquarters building to help make our annual signature fundraising event, Branch Out, a phenomenal success in 2023! Love of bonsai helped raise $162,494 for Pacific Bonsai Museum. These gifts not only support the care of our 150-tree collection, but they allow us to remain admission by donation, ensuring that EVERYONE has the opportunity to connect with nature through the living art of bonsai.

Branch Out

PHOTO BY WINIFRED WESTERGARD

Branch Out

Our popular Bonsai Basics classes continued in 2023 with monthly classes from March to October. Classes continued to sell out, thanks to instructor Tony Fajarillo. Thanks also to Kent East Hill Nursery for their sponsorship.

TOURS

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

In 2023, we offered 30 group tours to visitors, with both inperson and virtual experiences.

Bonsai Classes

A WINTER BONSAI SOLSTICE

Nearly 700 people came to Pacific Bonsai Museum to enjoy the beauty of bonsai by soft lights. One of only two nights a year the Museum is open to visitors, Winter Bonsai Solstice has been a community tradition since 2015. This year, Curator Aarin Packard out did himself with more bonsai lighting displays.

Lighting displays PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Judy Wagner

In Loving Memory of Judy Wagner

It is with great sadness that Pacific Bonsai Museum shares the news of the death of Judy Wagner, Vice President of our Board of Directors. Judy passed away unexpectedly on December 3rd, 2023 at her home. We mourn her loss and we honor the legacy she leaves behind in the arts, garden, and not-for-profit sectors. Our deepest sympathies go out to Judy’s family.

Since the day she accepted dual invitations from her brother-in-law, George Weyerhaeuser and Director, Kit Severson to join the Pacific Bonsai Museum Board, Judy delighted in her education in “the fascinating and beautiful art form of bonsai.” In addition to Pacific Bonsai Museum, Judy served on the Board of Lakewold Gardens. Her past Board participation included organizations such as the Charles Wright Academy, NW Trek Wildlife Park, and the YWCA, among others.

Judy was born in Wyoming and moved to Washington with her family before heading off to New York City as a college student to major in Chemistry. After college, she had her own practice as a dental hygienist. Then, in a career shift to the art world, Judy co-owned the Sandpiper Gallery which she ran for 30 years in downtown Tacoma.

We will all miss Judy deeply.

VOLUNTEERS

2023 DOCENTS

Docents interacted with visitors on 133 days in 2023.

Brock Arvesen

Shannon Carboy

Rebecca Connolly

Elsa Durham

Gary Gemar

Carol Grimes

Lisa Henry

Logan Hickle

Richard Kestenbaum

Suiling Lin

J. Overton

Victrinia Ridgeway

Joel Schwarz*

Iris Tio-Matos

Vern Van Houton

Randy Willett

Shirlee Yeager

2023 BONSAI CAREGIVERS

11 highly-skilled bonsai caregivers committed over 1,800 hours of their time to Pacific Bonsai Museum in 2023.

Brock Arvesen

Wayne Burns

Marie Hartford

Ann Hobson

John Mork

Pat Negron

Millie Russell

John Schmied

Joel Schwarz*

Tim Taylor

Ken Wassum

*SPECIAL THANKS TO JOEL SCHWARZ

(pictured left). In 2023, Joel officially retired after 15 years serving Pacific Bonsai Museum as an extraordinary volunteer. He not only cared for our bonsai with great attention, but also imparted his extensive knowledge to visitors as a Docent. He assisted in Bonsai Basics classes, co-organized annual Viewing Stones exhibits, helped at our events, and performed public bonsai demonstrations (as shown, left). Thank you, Joel, for all that you have given.

VOLUNTEERS

2023 EVENT VOLUNTEERS

37 volunteers committed their time to helping Pacific Bonsai Museum carry out public events in 2023.

Brock Arvesen

Richard Bernstein

Cia Bodin

Amy Bruhn

Wayne Burns

Iris Calpo

Shannon Carboy

Rebecca Connolly

Rich Day

Elsa Durham

Tony Fajarillo

Rebecca Gaimari

Gary Gemar

Caroline Gibb

Amie Guidry

Lisa Henry

Logan Hickle

Conner Hurlocker

Andra Kang-Moeller

Thamasgen Kirk

Nayoung Lee

Suiling Lin

Ryan Moy

Ying Moy

Blair Ostrem

Jacquelyn Page

Lesley Pickens

Lauren Prusia

Grant Rauzi

Joel Schwarz

Cory Sutton

Brooke Teegarden

Iris Tio-Matos

Vern Van Houten

Randy Willett

Bruce Williams

Jasmine Wilson

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS!

PHOTO

EVOLVING THE COLLECTION

148 bonsai in the permanent collection

One accession was made in 2023: “President Hoover,” American Larch (Larix laricina); Donated by David Crust. In training since 1972; bonsai and stand by David Crust; repurposed vintage vacuum cleaner. Photo below, Avant-garden display.

PHOTO BY WINIFRED WESTERGARD

OUR DONORS

PACIFIC BONSAI MUSEUM THANKS EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED LIVING ART IN 2023.

CHAMPIONS ($100,000+)

Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

VISIONARIES ($5,000 – $99,999)

Mary & Bill Gates

Dan Fulton

Elizabeth Lufkin

Sandy McDade

Millie & Craig Russell

Phyllis Griggs Weyerhaeuser

Puget Sound Bonsai Association

Royal Little Family Foundation

The Weyerhaeuser Family

Anonymous

PATRONS ($1,000 – $4,999)

Christine Anderson

Janice Anderson

Jennifer Anderson

ArtsWA

Brock & Lindsey Arvesen

Pat Bako

Ellen Bartholomew

Donna & David Berger

Conor & Jacquie Boyd

Jeanne & Jim Burbidge

Wayne & Jody Burns

Bill Corbin

Kristy & Tim Canfield

Anthony & AJ Fajarillo

Anthony & Francena

Feilback

Meadowdale Foundation

Joe Graviss Graviss

Phyllis Griggs Weyerhaeuser

Susie Russell Hall

Marie Hartford & John

Schmied

Lisa Henry

Steven Hill

Mieke & Christopher Hoppin

Sybil & Sam Hunter

SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS

4Culture

Amazon

ArtsWA

Earthwares

Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

Issho-en Bonsai

Kent East Hill Nursery

Matt Lorch Auctioneer

Morton McGoldrick

National Endowment for the Arts

Pine Knoll Farm

Silent Knight Productions

SoCoCulture

Watson’s Greenhouse and Nursery

Wazakura Tools

Woodbridge Corporate Park

Karen Larkin Larkin

Charles Larson

Todd & Libbi Lovshin

Carl Markon

David & Christine Marshall

Kathy McGoldrick

Susan Messina

L.T. Murray

Watson’s Nursery

Neel Parikh

Morton McGoldrick PLLC

Grant & Kathy Rauzi

Kyle Reiter & Rohre Titcomb

Victrinia & Eric Ridgeway

Kit & Gary Severson

Karren Smith

Ladd & Andrea Smith

American Bonsai Society

Katy Stone

Sheri & Jeffrey Tonn

Stuart Grover & Pamela

Transue

Judy Wagner

Randy Willett

Carl & Connie Wooldridge

Anonymous

OUR DONORS

CONTRIBUTORS ($250 – $999)

4Culture

Adair Business Consulting

Timothy Cross

Jennifer Domoto

P. Domoto

Nicolette Ducommun

Deborah Elven

Gwil & William Evans

Natalie & Robert Findlay

Roland Folse

Renaissance Charitable Foundation

The June Foundation

Kevin Furuzawa

Richard Furuzawa

Sonia Doughty & Dewey

Gantz

Gary Gemar

Dorothy Graham

Howard Greisler

David & Pat DeGroot

Mark & Nancy Haley

Debra & Don Hansen

Ingrid Hansen

Alexander Hoffman

Karl & Catherine Holmes

Jay Horowitz

Maro Imirzian

SUPPORTERS ($100 – $249)

Krina & Greg Allison

Jyotsna Ambarukhana

Kim Arellano

Clare Batley

Michael Boedecker

Beth Boomgard-Zagrodnik

Courtney Branam

Linda Brant

Jenni Browning

Karen Brugato

June Bube

Emory Bundy

Iris Calpo

Glazer’s Camera

Bruce Castle

Brooklake Church

Anne Derieux

Robert Downey

Elsa Durham

The Tacoma Garden Club

Richard Gardner

Hallidie Haid

Percy Hampton

Elizabeth Hansford

Charlie Harris

Hanns Hasche-Kluender

Terry Hedger

Katie Highsmith

Ye Hoffman

Judy Hsu

Philip Jolly

Allison Kramer

Edd Kuehn

Jody Lasky

Rebecca Lyman

Julie Martin

Kathy McAuley

Kathy & Bob McCabe

Mary McCarthy

Margaret & Mike Mizumoto

Lisa Nash

Nenita Odesa

Aarin & Emily Packard

Carla & Bill Pelster

Laura Hudson

Stephen Hudson

Portland Japanese Garden

Arlene Joe

Howard Kantner

Liz Kelferer

Richard Kestenbaum

Lindsay Krutsinger

Raymond Larson

Martha Lloyd

Phyllis Lovendahl

Shana Mack

Rose Madden

Linda Mandanas

Mary Montgomery

Michael Pollock

Shirley Quan

Walt Riehl

Darcy Roennfeldt

Susie & John Saalwaechter

Peter Shelley

Joyce Tamaru

Cappy Thompson

Jill Wakefield

Susan Warner

Ken Wassum

Marilyn & Gene Webb

Elizabeth Weyerhaeuser

Dwight Williams

Corey Morrison

Margaret Nelson

Karl & Caitlin Olson

Margaret Orozco-Sakai

Evan Pardue

Francois Paul Briand

Cindy Pigott

Jennifer Pramuk

Joseph Quinn

Tiffany Randerson

Maria Rash

Robert Rittenhouse

Dean & Elizabeth Runyan

Eric Ryan

John Schmied

OUR DONORS

SUPPORTERS ($100 – $249 (continued))

The Northwest School

Dylan Schultz

Walter Scott

Carol Smith

Ramona Soule

Gail Stickney

Quinn Strange

Jack Sustic

Judith Thierry

Iris Tio-Matos

Bianca Trednennick

Joyce Tsuji

David Turcaso

David Vargas

FRIENDS ($25 – $99)

Mary Anne Aiello

Yoko Arakawa

Chantel Austin

Pamela Barber

Mara Barios

Kim Beamon

Heartwoods Bonsai & Good

Barbara Breskovich

Catherine Brown

Janie Bube

White River Buddhist Temple

Robin Calderon

Irma Castro

Deb Charles

Kory DeBuck

Dale Derricote

Sarah Doerner

Nicolas Fernandez

Aleena Wee

Kayla Weyerhaeuser

Merrill Weyerhaeuser

Sue Weyerhaeuser

Jim Wiggins

Katherine Wimble Fox

Greg Wright

Fredde Yockey Perry

David Young

Chong Yu

Shawn Zabecki

UBS

Thomas Finn

J Dianne Garcia

Port Ludlow Garden Club

James Gibson

Margaret Guthrie

Katie H

Ryan Hannig

Mette Harder

Marybeth Harms

Jen Hasson

Matt Hayes

Geraldine Herigstad

Ann Hobson

Barbara Hovde

Jeff Hurst

Meredith Jacobson

Carol Jeanne

Andrea Jones

Guy Jones

Carrington Kelly-Kanada

David Lally

Ian MacKay

Meagan McKinley

Kevin Meyers

Justin Michael

Microsoft

Bilal Mohammee

Page Monji

Phuoc Nguyen

Andy Nortrup

Joe Overton

Christina Parrott

Mason Patterson

Dennis Pool

Richard Rappuhn

Abby Rich

Karen Seinfeld

Jeanine Smith

Peter Snyder

R Scott Stephens

Hema Thakar

John Vance

Robert Walker

Stephanie Waters

Martin Wells

Amanda Wilkening

Joe Williams

Kendra Williams

Linda Wills

Kathleen Woodruff

Yvonne Yao

OUR DONORS

GIFTS IN HONOR

Pat Bako by Anne Derieux

Scarlet Gore by Wayne Burns

Gene Kidder by John Schmied

Ryan Lewis by Cindy Pigott

Sandra Mays Markon by Carl Markon

Victrinia Ridgeway by Julia Freeman

GIFTS IN MEMORY

Ace by Sarah Doerner

Domoto Brothers by Jennifer Domoto

Tim Depies by Richard Rappuhn

Jayne DePole-Begucki by Grant Rauzi

Toichi Domoto by Margaret Orozco-Sakai

Catharina Gips Annen by Judith Thierry

Anne Louise Hubbard by Mary Anne Aiello

Barbara Kidder by Marie Hartford

Connie Kobata by Margaret Mizumoto

Samuel Low by Arlene Joe

Fili Matua by Margaret Mizumoto

Martha Robbins by Krina & Greg Allison

Arthur T. & Josephine Scott by Walter Scott

Sandy Thomas by Sharon Cornish Martin

Judy Wagner by Elizabeth Lufkin

Judy Wagner by Kathy McCabe

Ruth Waltman by Margaret Mizumoto

George Weyerhaeuser by Phyllis Griggs Weyerhaeuser

PHOTO BY WINIFRED WESTERGARD

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

FINANCIALS

TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE

$841,745

44% Individual gifts

26% Endowment payout

7% Gifts in-kind, earned income & other

24% Foundation grants

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

$808,192

26% Exhibits & Public Programs

38% Collections, grounds & facilities

17% Development & Marketing

19% Administration

The Museum also recorded other income of $296,563 from donated land and other expense of $473,784 from land lease, depreciation, and asset disposal expenses.

MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 6108 Federal Way, WA 98063

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 2515 S 336th Street Federal Way, WA 98001