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The Rogue Gem & Geology Club presents its Annual Rogue Gem & Mineral Show at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Gemologist Danielle Rose will identify visitor’s “mystery” gems; Herb Bastuschek, Bonseki Master, demonstrates how he uses white sand and small rocks to create tiny landscapes; there will be wire wrapping and jewelry design, rock art painting, and faceting demonstrations; vendors will display and sell their wares; and, of course – more! Attached is a PR, and a show flier you may want to use, about this year’s show.
Annual Rogue Gem & Mineral Show! Herb Bastuscheck, Bonseki Master, is demonstrating “how he does what he does” at the Rogue Gem & Geology’s April Gem & Mineral Show. Bonseki, a dying art form, is an ancient Japanese art using white sand and small rocks to create tiny landscapes. During 16 years he was taking lessons in Japan, Herb “…only met two Japanese adults who had seen it before.” He added that he was the first foreigner to “…reach master…I’m still the only one, as far as I know.”
A graduate of Willamette University, Herb dreamed of teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in the Eastern Oregon desert country. He found his dream position, but in a most unlikely location! In 1985 he saw an ad for a teaching position in a small school located in Hachinohe, Japan, applied for it and was hired. He plans to stay for a couple of years became 22 years!
His love of Bonseki began when he saw the work of Masa Saito, a Bonseki Master, in the window of a Japanese art gallery. When he saw her work, he thought “I really want to do that!” Initially, Saito refused to teach Herb, but his wife, Sachiko Watanabe, was able to convince her. Fourteen years into his studies, Bastuscheck tested for and became the first non-Japanese Bonseki Master! In 2007, Herb and his wife retired from teaching and moved to Lyons, Oregon.
Rogue Gem & Geology Club: Annual Gem & Mineral Show. Fairground’s Pavilion, Josephine County Fairgrounds, 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass. Admission: Friday, April 28, FREE! Saturday & Sunday, $2/Adults; $1/Seniors & Students; Children 11 & younger/FREE! For information, contact Janet Fields at 541-415-1720.
