Jim Hayes
About five years ago I received a packet of suiseki images in the mail. Their owner wanted me to critique his stones. This was my first contact with Jim Hayes in what was to develop into a friendship and working relationship. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce his suiseki to the internet community. Jim, a native of Broomall, Pennsylvania was first introduced to suiseki in 1981.
Since that first encounter with suiseki, Jim has garnered international acclaim for his passionate work in advancing the awareness of the art. In 1995 he founded the North American Viewing Stone Society, dedicated to furthering the awareness of stone appreciation. In 1996 he was elected to the board of Directors of the National Bonsai Foundation at the Washington, D.C. National Arboretum. He has four suiseki from his personal collection on permanent display there.
In May, 1999, Jim was further honored by having a suiseki from his collection selected for presentation by President Clinton to Prime Minister Obuchi of Japan.