To have a sustainable path for the John Naka Memorial Exhibit, we need support in 3 key areas:
Blog post on the last Naka Memorial Exhibit and current ambitions: Blog
1. Volunteers who can assist with exhibit logistics, set up, take down, and miscellaneous administrative work
- There is a lot that goes into planning and running a bonsai exhibit. From initial publicizing to generate interest, then actual submission and exhibit coordination, and work during the day of the event itself. I am looking to build small core team of individuals who can help with these various tasks. If this is of interest to you, please contact me directly at: [email protected]
2. Potential exhibitors who are willing to submit their trees to the jurying process.
- The Naka Memorial exhibit is a juried exhibition. This means that we source a small group of skilled, impartial jurors to help select the best quality trees from the available pool of submissions. This is done to drive up the quality of the show, so that we can best represent excellence of bonsai in Southern California and the greater community. It’s daunting to have your trees perceived and juried, but it’s done privately and anonymously. Without willing entries, we would not be able to showcase a high-quality exhibit to the public. Additionally, upon request we can provide input and advice on why a tree may not have been accepted. The process is impartial and done with the greatest respect and appreciation to all possible exhibitors.
- Submissions for the 2026 show will open at the start of next year! Please look for those announcements, otherwise we greatly appreciate your consideration
3. Sponsors or donors for the show who can provide financial support for reoccurring expenses
Official Donation Page: Naka Memorial Exhibit Donations
- The Naka Memorial Exhibit is not an entity or non-profit. It has always been a collection of volunteers expending their own time and money to organize this event and provide it for free to the public. We’ve been fortunate to have some sponsors in the past as well as JACCC to help subsidize the gallery rental expenses. Donations we receive during the event have been enough to cover miscellaneous expenses.
- Going into the future though, many private and federal grants that support the JACCC are not guaranteed. Additionally, the Naka Memorial Exhibit may not always receive sponsors from private donors. Without funding this exhibit will cease to exist
- There are 2 categories of donations we are trying to pool:
– The JACCC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has historically hosted the Naka Memorial Exhibit. We will allot a percentage of funds to cover the room rental fees + a donation to JACCC
– A miscellaneous use fund to cover rental cost of a storage unit, insurance, exhibit media/banner/display items, and various exhibit expenses incurred throughout the year.
- Currently donations can be made directly to the exhibit account, which I (Julian Tsai) is the current proprietor of. However, if there are any concerns regarding fund misuse and allocation, a donation can be made directly to the JACCC which is a tax-deductible donation as well. Funds sent to JACCC beyond our room target goal cannot be rolled back to us. So, if the room goal is met, I need to direct donations to the private exhibit account so that we can fund other expenses. **room goal met for 2026
Our target annual goal is to raise at least $8000. Room rental is approximately $3000, insurance $300-400, supplies $150-500, and storage unit rental $3500 annually. All funds raised go back to support the exhibit and is not leveraged for personal gain.
We are looking for sponsors which can be nurseries, professionals, and businesses who we can acknowledge and publicize on our media and/or during the exhibition as well. I am open to potential affiliation and collaboration.
If you are willing to help support the Naka Memorial Exhibit, please contact me at: [email protected]