创立历史与创始精神
大新奥尔良盆景协会（The Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society，简称GNOBS）是美国最活跃的盆景俱乐部之一，成立于1972年，由著名盆景权威沃恩·班廷（Vaughn Banting）创立。协会成员作品曾在美国国家植物园和韦豪伊瑟太平洋盆景收藏等知名场所展出，部分会员获国内外奖项并受邀到其他机构和大会演讲。沃恩·班廷9岁时在父亲影响下接触盆景艺术。他自学成才编写了盆景种植手册，成为精通植物生理学和美学的专家园艺师。他的教学理念包括”寻找那条线””少即是多””保持简单”等。他晚年培养了无数弟子，”通过盆景过上更好生活”的理念影响深远。协会成员盖伊·古德里回忆：”如果没有沃恩，就不会有今天的我。”
协会组织架构
协会由志愿者团队管理。会长丹尼斯·伯克（Dennis Burke）、副会长贾斯汀·乔莱特（Justin Jolet）、财务主管梅丽莎·勒布朗（Melissa Leblanc）。凯西·巴尔巴宗担任通讯编辑、网站编辑及拍卖会主席，大师项目总监为李·多明格。理事会每月第三周二举行会议，会员均可旁听。
年度活动与特色资源
每年8月的年度盆景拍卖是最受瞩目的盛会，2026年拍卖会定于8月8日在哈拉汉市VFW大厅举行。协会还不定期举办研讨和工作坊，如2026年7月将举办强尼·马丁内斯盆景竞赛（分新手、中级、高级三组），著名艺术家肖恩·史密斯将展示日本传统tokonoma盆景陈设并主持根架雕刻工作坊。协会网站提供丰富的盆景技术文章，涵盖落羽杉、日本黑松、中国榆树、紫薇等树种。
加入协会
协会欢迎新会员加入。您可填写俱乐部申请表入会，或作为客人参加定期会议。会议于每月第二周二晚7点在哈拉汉市美国退伍军人协会大厅（1225 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123）举行。协会通过每月通讯和邮寄明信片向会员通报活动安排。
The Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society
Founding History and Spirit
The Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society (GNOBS) was founded in 1972 by noted bonsai authority Vaughn Banting and has grown into one of the most active bonsai clubs in the United States. Members have had trees displayed at the National Arboretum and the Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, and several have received national and international awards. Banting discovered his love for trees at age nine, self-educated by writing his own bonsai manual, and became an expert combining plant physiology with aesthetics. His teaching philosophy—”Find the line,” “Less is better than more,” “Keep it simple”—remains influential, and his approach to bonsai as “a way to live a better life” continues to inspire. Member Guy Guidry reflected: “If it were not for Vaughn, I would not be me.”
Organization and Leadership
GNOBS is led by a dedicated volunteer board. President Dennis Burke and Vice President Justin Jolet guide the society alongside Treasurer Melissa Leblanc. Kathy Barbazon serves as newsletter editor, website editor, and auction chair, while Lee Domingue directs the Masters Program. Board meetings occur monthly on the third Tuesday, open to all members.
Annual Events and Resources
The society’s flagship event is the Annual Bonsai Auction held every August, with the 2026 auction scheduled for August 8 at VFW Hall in Harahan, LA. The society also hosts workshops including the Johnny Martinez Bonsai Competition in July 2026 (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions), and demonstrations by renowned artists such as Sean Smith presenting Japanese tokonoma display techniques. The society’s website offers extensive article resources covering Bald Cypress, Black Pine, Chinese Elm, Crepe Myrtle, and other species.
Membership
New members are always welcome at GNOBS. Interested individuals may apply through the club application or attend regular meetings as a guest. Regular meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at the American Legion Hall, 1225 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123. Members receive monthly newsletters and postcards with updated schedules and activities.
Official Website: https://www.gnobs.org
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