Joanie

Yes, respect for the visiting artist is shown in what he is given to work with... either from the club or from the members. The club should have more access to good material and should always:

1. Make sure that the material is in good health and has not been compromised by repotting, collection, etc. recently. This includes making sure that the material is in a pot or container suitable for it to remain in until such time as it has fully regained its strength from the styling session.

2. If the visiting artist has a specialty (and isn't just there to demonstrate basic techniques) then the material should have all of the preliminary work done... cleaned out interior, and hopefully having been pinched back for good inner growth in the tree's recent past.... if in a nursery black can, then the can rim can be cut down to allow access to the trunk. For the audience to be able to see the trunk as well, cutting down the can would be useful.

Ooops, gotta go, and so much more to say.... well, there will be plenty said on this thread, no doubt...

Joanie

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