March 20, 2018 Monthly Meeting

THE MARCH MEETING is at the Wakeman Center.
The program begins at 1pm.

Program: From Japan to Chappaquiddick: Mytoi 
With Don Sibley, Artist and Former Head Gardener, Mytoi

ABOUT THE PROGRAM FOR MARCH:
   Don will present a film that shows the beauty and tranquility of Mytoi after it was restored following the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Bob. He will also bring some bonsai trees and relate a very personal story about discovering Japanese aesthetics.  As he gained insight into this, the problem of translating from one culture proved fascinating. Don will also discuss a 1,000 year-old Japanese garden manual. 

ABOUT DON SIBLEY:
   Don Sibley is something of a Renaissance man. In high school he was good at math and science and that got him into Harvard and a degree in the social sciences. He then studied Russian with the U.S. Army in California and was sent to Japan where he not only monitored Russian-language broadcasts, but became enchanted by Japanese gardens, particularly bonsai trees. Returning to the states, he studied art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and earned both a diploma and a Fifth Year Competition Certificate in four years. He then commenced a 42-year career teaching Art History, Painting and Drawing there and a separate career as an artist.
   But how did he get to the Vineyard and to be the Head Gardener at Mytoi on Chappaquiddick? Shortly after he started teaching at the SMFA, a neighbor in Cambridge offered him some land in West Tisbury at a very low price. His father bought it and then sold half of it to Don and his wife. They built a house and a studio and soon a Japanese garden and a greenhouse where he could pursue his love of bonsai while still commuting to his work in Boston. The Trustees of the Reservations, owners of Mytoi, learned of Don’s expertise as a Japanese gardener and asked him to help restore the garden after it was basically destroyed by Hurricane Bob in 1991. Don continued working at Mytoi as Head Gardener until 2012, but is still a consultant to the garden. And, he continues to create paintings that he shows and sells.  Don is a founding member of the Martha’s Vineyard Bonsai Club.
NOTE:  Although the address is 67 David Avenue, the best way to get to the Wakeman Center is via Helen Avenue.
IMPORTANT:  
From now until spring,  all meetings will be held at the WAKEMAN CONSERVATION CENTER in Vineyard Haven.  
Parking at the Wakeman Center is limited.  Please carpool.  
For more information about getting to the Wakeman Center, click HERE.
Upcoming Meetings:
The Program Committee have completed plans for monthly meetings our meetings for 2018.  Check HERE to see who else will be speaking in 2018.
 
* PLEASE NOTE:  
Our meetings are open to the public; there is a meeting fee of ten dollars for non-members. 
Any updates and weather-related scheduled changes will be noted here and messages sent via email to members.
2018 Program Committee:
Members:  Chair: Anda Woodward, with Karen Kolb, Kathy Kitsock, Tracie Clark, and Mary Lou DeLong.