BCI Awards

For over thirty years, BCI has recognized outstanding achievers and contributors to the world of bonsai and stone appreciation. Annual worldwide awards given to individuals by Bonsai Clubs International include the Artist, Writer and Photographer Award, and the Distinguished Service Award. In 2011, BCI initiated a new level of awards, the BCI Excellence Award medal that is given by individual BCI board members. Presented primarily at local and regional meetings and exhibitions, they serve to recognize emerging talent, and excellent trees and stones.

2015 Certificates of Appreciation

Two certificates of appreciation were awarded at the 2015 BCI convention in Guangzhou. The first one was presented to Rosemarie Voelker of Gulf Breeze, Florida for her leadership in managing the social media BCI Face Book page. Rosemarie is an excellent photographer and frequently travels worldwide to bonsai events. Her many postings on the BCI Facebook page have resulted in greatly increasing the number of visitors and raising the awareness of BCI worldwide.
The second certificate of appreciation was awarded to Mr. Chen Chang of Guangzhou, China. Mr. Chang is President of the Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe Co., Ltd. and also President of the Guangzhou Penjing Association. Mr. Chang was a major supporter of the joint BCI/ASPAC convention in Guangzhou, a leader in the BCI-China program, and a major collector and artist of Chinese penjing.

2015 Meritorious Service Award

This award is given to an individual or club that has contributed significantly to BCI over many years. Thomas S. Elias, President of BCI was the recipient this year in recognition of his service as president during the last three years and for his long-term contributions to the BCI Bonsai Magazine and the Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine. As president, Tom implemented a board-approved annual budget along with realistic income projections. He also worked to increase income through auctions, donations, and sales of books. A surplus of income over expenses in BCI operations in the last three years has greatly improved BCI’s financial position. Tom worked with others to improve the BCI website and make better use of social media to promote BCI. He, along with several board members have succeeded in reversing the decline in membership and is growing BCI individual and club memberships in several areas of the world, especially in Asia where the largest number of bonsai hobbyists are located. Tom was also the recipient of BCI’s Writer, Photographer and Artist Award in 2001. He has been a regular contributor since 1999 of over 25 articles plus several books reviews and news items to Bonsai Magazine and its successor Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine.

2015 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award

The recipient of this award is Canadian bonsai enthusiast Dr. Michael Collins McIntyre for his many excellent articles in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine over the last three years.

2016 Meritorious Service Award

This award is given to an individual or club that has contributed significantly to BCI over many years. Nikunj Parekh, BCI 2nd Vice President, received this award in 2016. Glenis Bebb, BCI President, presented the award at the BCI Regional Convention in Mysore, India.

2016 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award

The recipient of this award is South African bonsai enthusiast and pioneer Dr. Tobie Kleynhans for his well-documented articles about bonsai in south Africa in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine over the last few years.

2017 Meritorious Service Award

Glenis Bebb also presented Mr. Chen, Tsang Shing, chairman of the BCI international Convention in Taiwan in 2017, the prestigious BCI Meritorious Service Award for his generosity and support in promoting the art of bonsai, both in Taiwan and abroad. 

2017 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award

The recipient of this award is bonsai enthusiast Dr. Sujata Bhat for her excellent photographs that she has contributed for articles in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine over the last few years.

2018 Certificates of Appreciation

Three certificates of appreciation were awarded at the 2018 BCI convention in Mulhouse, France. Retiring Board Members Gudrun Benz and Nikunj Parekh were presented with certificates of appreciation for their long-term service to BCI. François Jeker, France, was awarded a certificate of appreciation for the work he did towards organizing the BCI 2018 Convention in Mulhouse, France.

2018 Meritorious Service Award

At the BCI Convention in Mulhouse, France, BCI President Glenis Bebb presented BCI Director Gudrun Benz the 2018 BCI Meritorious Service Award for her significant contributions to BCI over many years. Gudrun has promoted the appreciation of viewing stones through articles on the BCI website, the BCI Magazine and at many conventions, where she has awarded excellence in viewing stone and bonsai art, and has organized viewing stone exhibits.

2018 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award

The recipient of this award is bonsai enthusiast and pot collector Bradley Barlow, Australia, for his article in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine, A New View on Old Pots in the Q2, 2018 issue.

2019 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award

The recipient of this award is contributing editor José Luis Rodríguez Macías, Puerto Rico, for his many excellent articles in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine.

2020 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award

The recipient of this award is contributing editor Danilo Scursatone, Italy, for his many excellent articles in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine.

2023 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award

The prestigious award goes to Min Hsuan Lo, contributing editor, and his son Andrew Lo of Taiwan, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine. Through their exceptional articles, they have been instrumental in enlightening, inspiring, and unraveling the intricate art of bonsai cultivation, offering invaluable insights accumulated over decades of dedication.

BCI Excellence Awards

In an on-going effort to recognize excellence in bonsai and stone art around the world, BCI Directors can award a beautiful medal and certificate to deserving trees and stones at major exhibits. The medal, designed by BCI Director, Guillermo Ramirez Castaño, of Mexico, is awarded at the discretion of the BCI Directors in attendance. Below is a link to the BCI  Excellence Awards given out since their inception in 2011.

A Newsletter Especially for Clubs

The BCI Club Newsletter is a special publication distributed by email to BCI Member Clubs and its content is all about clubs and their activities. This is where clubs can share news, special accomplishments and achievements, ideas and activities for meetings, and tell stories about their outstanding members, collecting trips and more. Each club appoints a BCI Ambassador to be the official contact with BCI. Ambassadors keep BCI and the local club up to date on activities, programs and other news.

Bonsai and viewing stone clubs everywhere are challenged to promote their art form or hobby, attract and retain members, and improve their collections, knowledge and skill. Let's learn from each other so that more bonsai and stone enthusiasts all over the world can find new ways of expanding their experiences and enjoying these unique art forms.  

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