Bonsai For Beginners Workshop Coming To Farmingdale

FARMINGDALE, NY — Interested green thumbs can learn how to turn ordinary nursery stock into a living work of art at the Bonsai for Beginners Workshop, according to a news release. The workshop, presented by the Farmingdale Cultural Arts Committee, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 21 at Farmingdale Village Hall, at 361 Main Street.

The workshop will cover the five major styles of bonsai, as well as plant and container selection, branch and root pruning, wiring, potting, and more.

There will be a short lunch break after the first half of the workshop. Attendees can bring lunch or snacks or visit Main Street restaurants. During the second half attendees will create their own bonsai.

The workshop is taught by award-winning bonsai artist John Capobianco. Capobianco chairs the Farmingdale Village Cultural Arts Committee. He is a five-time recipient of the National Gold Medal for Chyrsanthemum Bonsai, past president of the National Chrysanthemum Society, immediate past president of the Bonsai Society of Greater New York and Long Island Chrysanthemum Society, and former bonsai instructor at the New York Botanical Garden.

The fee is $50 per person for the Bonsai workshop and materials. Most materials will be provided. Attendees were asked to bring chop sticks, scissors, notepad or paper, and a pen.

Pre-registration is required by June 7. To register, people may mail a $50 check payable to "Incorporated Village of Farmingdale" to Ann Rodenburg, at Farmingdale Village Hall, 361 Main St., Farmingdale, NY 11735. People should include their cell phone number, email address and indicate if they plan to keep the tree indoors in the winter or outside — an indoor tree, or an outdoor tree.

Those who send in payment and pre-register will receive an email confirmation. For more information, people may call 516-249-0093, ext. 204, or visit the Farmingdale Village website.

The Facebook page for the event is here.