Saturday, April 22nd from 4 – 6pm celebrate Earth Day with this unique workshop where you will learn the art of bonsai tree cultivation, discover the ancient art of bonsai at the Coral Gables Museum, learn about the history of the practice, and explore the cultural significance of these miniature trees. Learn from a bonsai tree artist about the process of shaping and caring for bonsai trees, and take home your very own to start or expand your collection. RSVP HERE.
The workshop fee includes a 10-12” inch bonsai tree between 4-6 years old to work on and take home. Soil, drainage mesh, wire, pot, & tools will be provided! A maximum of 4 participants may share each tree – families are welcome!
Alex Mendoza is a skilled bonsai artist who was born in Guatemala and raised in Miami, Florida, where he currently resides in Kendall. His interest in bonsai was piqued in the early 1990s when he saw “The Karate Kid,” and he began his practice in earnest after receiving a small juniper procumbens nana bonsai as a gift from his mother in 2012. Despite early setbacks, Mendoza’s passion for the art form only grew. He and his wife, Gina, expanded their collection, and Mendoza continued to develop his skills through books, YouTube videos, and local bonsai clubs.
In 2022, Mendoza put his self-taught skills to the test and entered the largest bonsai competition in Florida. Against the fierce competition, he earned second place and continued to hone his skills. Today, Mendoza sells and ships bonsai trees across the country, leads workshops and expos, and was even invited to give a demo at the South Florida Bonsai Society’s annual conference in Orlando. With over 105k followers on social media, Mendoza shares his expertise with bonsai enthusiasts around the world through engaging content and informative videos.