About The National Bonsai Foundation

 

  

Founded in 1982, the National Bonsai Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that works in cooperation with the U.S. National Arboretum to supply financial, programmatic and curatorial support for the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. The Foundation offices and Museum are located on the grounds of the Arboretum in Northeast Washington, DC.  

Portrait of a White Pine by Stephen Voss. “This famous tree that survived the bombing of Hiroshima—a gift of the Yamaki family—speaks of the alternative realities that so often co-exist in our emotional experience. It conveys incredible strength and resolve. It is powerful and enduring, both because of its history of survival and because it also is symbolic of the monumentally healing power of human generosity and forgiveness.” 

-Michael Colins McIntyre

 

 

Schedule of Events

Thursday Oct. 8	All Day Vendor & Exhibit set up & Photographing of Bonsai   9 AM - 5 PM ABS/Joshua Roth New Talent Contest.   Come and watch ABS/BCI/NBF and other board meetings. (Times TBA)   Dinner on your own   7 PM Welcoming event. An evening of bonsai fun, demonstrations and   celebration at the Arboretum. Auctions and raffles
Friday Oct. 9 First Class Day	10 AM - 5 PM   Exhibit Open at the Arboretum   8 AM - 5 PM   Vendors Open at the Arboretum   9 AM - Noon   Morning Seminar Class Sessions   Noon - 2 PM   Lunch on your own   2 PM - 5 PM   Afternoon Seminar Class Sessions   5:30 PM   Dinner (included with registration) (cash bar) at hotel   7 PM - 10 PM   Challenge Demonstrations and raffles & auction
Saturday Oct. 10 Second Class Day	8 AM - 4 PM Exhibit Open at the Arboretum   8 AM - 5 PM Vendors Open at the Arboretum   9 AM - Noon Morning Seminar Class Sessions   Noon - 2 PM Lunch on your own   2 PM - 5 PM Afternoon Seminar Class Sessions   5:30 PM Dinner (included with registration) (cash bar) at hotel   7 PM - 10 PM Demonstrations and raffles/auctions
Sunday Oct. 11 National Arboretum Day	8 AM - 5 PM Vendors Open at the Arboretum   8 AM - 4 PM Exhibit Open at the Arboretum   9 AM - Noon Demonstrations and touring at the Arboretum   Noon - 2 PM Lunch on your own   2 PM - 5 PM Demonstrations at the Arboretum auditorium

 

THE CONCEPT

Our organizations show their commitment to teaching with a weekend of bonsai knowledge and fun. Come and join your bonsai friends and learn from some of the most experienced bonsai teachers at this seminar.

• Use this catalogue to select your 4 classes for the Friday & Saturday portions. Admission to these classes is by preregistration only.
• There are many classes and workshops of all levels to choose from. Your registration covers the cost of these four classes (unless an extra supply fee is noted for materials).
• Classes take place Friday and Saturday in the morning and the afternoon. A break will be given in the middle of each three-hour class.
• Note that the critique sessions may have unique times. Also some of the sessions are given in two parts and you need to register for both parts.
• Please indicate 1st & 2nd choices for each time-period on the registration form by putting your choice in the block indicated for each numbered class.
• Early registration helps to insure that you get the classes of your choice. Workshops are very limited in number of students.
• Classes will be filled in the order the registrations are received. PLEASE indicate 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices for each time period.
• The number listed before each course title is used on the registrations form. When a specific level of student is needed, it is listed in all capital letters after the course title. Those with no designated level are open to all students
• Note that workshops have an additional fee to cover materials. Be sure to note what supplies you need to bring to a class.

 

PLEASE THANK AND PATRONIZE OUR SPONSORS

Do you want to be a sponsor?
Contact us at ABS@pfmbonsai.com

 

THE CLASSES:

 

Friday Morning 9 AM to noon 

1. Julian Adams: Pines are Easy Lesson

All levels of students.

A thorough understanding of how to successfully grow pine bonsai will be given based on a clear explanation of the annual pine growth cycle. Pines are easy to grow but it is necessary to respect their inability to deviate from their normal growth cycle. The annual cycle will be examined in depth with emphasis on recognizing the transitions between phases of the cycle. Heavy use of photographs will be used to make the phases and the transitions easy to identify. All pines have similar cycles but black, red, and pitch pines are so vigorous that special techniques can be used to modify their cycle to produce bonsai with very small needles. Confusing schedules and rules for the vigorous pine group are clarified and rendered unnecessary by explaining the fundamental principals of needle size reduction. Knowledge of the annual cycle and energy management/control will allow participants to grow small needles and healthy plants without blindly following “rules”. Special emphasis will be given to energy distribution, back budding, and needle size reduction. You may take this as a stand-alone class but it will be enhance by participation in the afternoon black pine workshop. This class and the workshops are offered on both class days.

2. Bjorn Bjorholm: Hinoki Cypress cultivar ‘Wells Select’ Workshop

Intermediate to advance levels of students.

Limited to 8 students. Average height 36” with 1.5-2 inch diameter trunks. This cultivar is unique in that it retains its inner growth, making it optimal for use in bonsai culture. The trees are representative of the species in nature, possessing formal upright, tapered trunks. Trees are being provided by Bjorn. Fee is $475

3. Young Choe: Critique of Exhibition.

All levels of students. Limited to 20. At the Arboretum.

Explore the displays with Young and learn more about the art of shitakusa (accents) in bonsai as well as commentary about the bonsai on display.

4. Enrique Castaño: Understanding Deadwood Lesson.

All levels of students. Limited to 15 students.

The course will be focused on the understanding the texture and forms that dead wood can take over time, from simple lines to grotesque shapes. The deadwood tells a story of the tree that bears it. To complete this adventure in deadwood, take the corresponding deadwood workshop in the afternoon to try the techniques under the watchful eye of Enrique.

5. James F. Doyle: Something Wild

A two-part all day course. Intermediate and advanced students. Limited to 8.

This is an interactive course, both challenging & fun. This first part is to explore what is really wild and how to incorporate it into your tree’s design. This is followed by a hands-on workshop using either collected: Ponderosa Pine, Limber Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Engelmann Spruce, or Colorado Blue Spruce. All trees are established and were collected 2-8 years ago. Bring out “something wild” in yourself and your tree! Be sure to sign up for the afternoon workshop part of the course. Fee is $165

6. Mark Fields : Twisted Itoigawa Workshop

Intermediate and advanced students . Limited to 8.

Nice twisty Itoigawa in 3 gallon pots from Brussels. They have a 1.5 to 2 inch trunk with lots of movement. Develop yours into a show worthy bonsai with the advice of Mark. Fee is $300

7. Frank Mihalic: Exposed Root Pyracantha Shohin Workshop.

Intermediate and up. Limited to 12.

So much of the pre bonsai work has been done for you. The roots are exposed. Now it is time to style these little gems, Bring your tool kit. Fee is $200 including a specially selected pot.

8. Peter Macasieb: Shohin Itoigawa Juniper Workshop.

All levels of students. Limited to 6.

These junipers are about 12 years old grown from cuttings. They are well established pre bonsai with a very shallow root system. Twisted trunk is the main features and they have lots of twists suitable for yamadori styling. There are plenty of branches to choose from for live and dead wood work. All the hard work of shaping has been done over 12 years and with proper care and maintenance , they will be show ready in two years. They are 8 to 10 inches in height and have 1.5 to 3 inches trunks. Bring basic tools and tweezers. Fee $450.

9. Kathy Shaner: Displaying your tree

All day class. All levels of students. Limited to 15.

In this educational class we will be continuing and advancing our vision. Learn how the direction of the tree plays into display. We will consider the seasons of display and what a stand does for your display. The afternoon session will take display up another notch. Student are asked to bring a bonsai that is ready for show plus stands and accents to work with. Kathy will use the seminars exhibitions to illustrate her lessons. The class meets both Saturday Morning and Afternoon.

10. Mauro Stemberger: Wiring Masterclass

All levels of students. Limited to 10.

The wiring masterclass with Mauro will blow your mind, giving you all the tips and tricks to bring your wiring skill to the next level. Bring wire and tools. If possible bring some branches to practice on. This class is also offered on Saturday Morning.

11. Jo Myeong Ki: Pine Grafting

All levels of students.

This class will demonstrate grafting techniques on pines. Learn this horticultural techniques to take your trees to the next level and to correct branch placement on pines.

12. Ron Lang and Sharon Russell: Lang Bonsai Containers Illustrated Presentation.

All levels of students.

This will cover the application of their experience as practicing artists/sculptures to the design of their containers. They are known for their non-traditional approach tot ceramic design and concepts for the presentation of bonsai. This course is also offered on Saturday.

 

Friday Morning  2 PM to 5 PM 

13. Julian Adams: Learn Black Pines Workshop

All levels of students Limited to 12 students.

A very simple workshop using 2 year Japanese black pine seedlings. The purpose is to learn about the flexibility of black pine, use of copper wire, and provide the material to use in becoming familiar with how to create short needles on black pine material. Those who are successful will become confident in use of black pine material and will have a pleasing small literati black pine bonsai ready to pot in 2-3 years. Students are advised to take “Pines are Easy” class in the morning. This class and the workshops are offered on both class days. Fee is $10.

14. Bjorn Bjorholm: Exhibition Critique at the Arboretum

All levels of students Limited to 20 students.

Bjorn will critique the trees and display in the exhibition. This is perhaps one of the best ways to learn about the widest range of bonsai information. Everything from display set-up and individual bonsai design to pot selection and proper horticultural practices will be discussed in detail.

15. Young Choe: Shitakusa Presentation and Demonstration.

All levels of students.

The best bonsai practitioners and enthusiasts around the world are very deliberate in their use of accent plants, sometimes using small plantings of wild grasses and flowers known as kusamono. Shitakusa can be as single as a single species in a carefully selected small pot, or as complex as an artfully arranged collection of multiple species – perhaps in particularly notable container. In this session, Young Choe will give an expanded version of the presentation that she gives to bonsai clubs around the country. She will begin with a lecture on the history of kusamono and shitakusa, going to discuss characteristics, styles and display of them. She will then demonstrate how to build a both a kusamono and a moss ball on a tile. She will conclude with explaining how to care for them.

16. Enrique Castaño: Making Deadwood.

All levels of students. Limited to 15 students.

This is the practical part of course 4 from the morning. The morning course is a prerequisite to this course. This workshop focuses on hands on experiences on dead wood making and how to avoid certain mistakes. Bring safety glasses please.

17. James F. Doyle: Something Wild

A two-part all day course. Intermediate and advanced students. Limited to 8.

This is an interactive course, both challenging & fun. This first part is to explore what is really wild and how to incorporate it into your tree’s design. This is followed by a hands-on workshop using either collected: Ponderosa Pine, Limber Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Engelmann Spruce, or Colorado Blue Spruce. All trees are established and were collected 2-8 years ago. Bring out “something wild” in yourself and your tree! Be sure to sign up for the Morning Knowledge/discussion part of the course. Fee is $165.

18. Mark Fields: Designing a Shohin Display

All levels of students.

Learn to set up beautiful shohin displays with this award winning bonsai artist.

19. Frank Mihalic: Make your own Jewelry Workshop.

All levels. Limited to 12.

Create a unique bonsai pendant of your design by carving wax under the watchful guidance of jewelry master Frank Mihalic. The resulting piece will be cast in silver and polished by Frank and shipped to the participant in 2 to 3 weeks. Fee is $125.

20. Peter Macasieb: The Art of Twisting Black Pine Workshop.

Beginner and Intermediate students. Limited to 15.

You will learn to twist two Mikawa Black Pine whips the correct way and be able to apply more extremes bends. Learn to use Raffia to protect the cambium properly and how to use jin pliers to achieve more drastic bends. Peter will also teach after care and proper de-candling techniques. Bring basic tools including jin pliers and raffia. Fee is $60.

21. Mauro Stemberger: Pine Workshop

All levels of students. Limited to 8.

In this workshop you will create a beautiful Austrian or Black Pine for your collections Bring wire and tools. Care and development will also be discussed. The pines are well developed with excellent trunks. Fee is $200.

22. The Korean Dream Team: Bring your own workshop.

All levels of students. Limited to 10 students.

Kim Soek Ju, Jo Myeong Ki and Kim Sae Won represent the best artists of Korea. Bring a good pre bonsai ( or purchase one from one of the vendors to use) and create a future masterpiece. Bring pre bonsai and tools. Fee is $75.

 

Saturday Morning 9 AM to Noon

23. Julian Adams; Pines are Easy

All levels of students.

A thorough understanding of how to successfully grow pine bonsai will be given, based on a clear explanation of the annual pine growth cycle. Pines are easy to grow but it is necessary to respect their inability to deviate from their normal growth cycle. The annual cycle will be examined in depth with emphasis on recognizing the transitions between phases of the cycle. Heavy use of photographs will be used to make the phases and the transitions easy to identify. All pines have similar cycles but black, red, and pitch pines are so vigorous that special techniques can be used to modify their cycle to produce bonsai with very small needles. Confusing schedules and rules for the vigorous pine group are clarified and rendered unnecessary by explaining the fundamental principals of needle size reduction. Knowledge of the annual cycle and energy management/control will allow participants to grow small needles and healthy plants without blindly following “rules”. Special emphasis will be given to energy distribution, back budding, and needle size reduction. You may take this as a stand alone class but it will be enhance by participation in the afternoon black pine workshop. This class and the workshops are offered on both class days.

24. Bjorn Bjorholm: Chuuhin Itoigawa Shimpaku Juniper Workshop

All levels of students. Limited to 8 students.

In this workshop, students will design and style field-grown medium-sized Itoigawa Shimpaku Junipers from raw-material. Bjorn will guide participants through the process of branch selection, deadwood creation and wiring to create future exhibition quality Juniper bonsai. The raw material will range in size from 15-20 inches in height with 1.5-3 inch caliper trunks and are from Bjorn’s nursery. Fee is $475.

25. Young Choe: Shitakusa Creation Workshop.

All levels of students. Limited to 12 students.

Participants in this exclusive workshop will build their own shitakusa with the guidance of Young Choe. What really makes this workshop special is that participants will take time to think about and plan their compositions together with Young and each other, learning more about how she thinks about and plans her own shitakusa than attendees at her usual workshops. Those who have a particular tree in mind (for which they wish to create a suitable accent plant) should bring a picture of the tree (from the appropriate season) with them. Students should be willing to speak up to share their plans and thinking with each other in the workshop. Previous experience with Young Choe workshops or attendance at her presentation/demo is recommended, though not required. Students should bring their own chopstick(s), shears, bonsai tweezers, wire cutters. Fee $60

26. Enrique Castaño: Understanding the ins and outs of our trees.

All levels of students. Limited to 15 students.

This course focuses on the physiology of the trees from the time we start design to ancient bonsai trees. This course will assist you in developing the best in bonsai because you will learn the whys of how tree development works and what our work on the trees does to the tree. This course is also offered in the afternoon.

27. James F. Doyle: Liberal Literati

Intermediate and advanced students. Limited to 10.

Is literati easy to define? This course is befitting a person of free thinking. Join Jim in the exploration, art, and inspiration to understand why this simple tree design can be the most challenging. Plants collected from the “wilds” of Nature’s Way will be used to complete this study. One deciduous and one evergreen tree supplied along with wire. Fee is $60.

28. Mark Fields: Shohin Bonsai Japanese Black Pine Workshop.

Intermediate to advanced. Limited to 8 students.

These pre bonsai have been developing from seed for 6 years. They are ready to be make into masterpieces by you with the advice of Mark. Bring your tools. Fee is $125.

29. Peter Macasieb: Creating Shohin Bonsai Workshop.

Beginner and Intermediate students. Limited to 15

Learn the proper techniques to creating two Itoigawa Juniper shohin bonsai. Learn the use of raffia, proper anchoring and wiring using tools and your fingers, the use of the jin pliers. After care and development will also be discussed. Bring basic tools including jin pliers. Fee is $60.

30. Kathy Shaner: Advanced Styling Class and Workshop

All day class. All levels of students. Limited to 6.

Bring your tools to work on these Kathy hand selected and prepared Itoigawa Junipers. Kathy has spent 2 years preparing these trees and reducing the root ball into small containers. They have very nice movement and 1.75” to 2.25” diameter trunks. The resulting bonsai will finish off to 10” to 15”. Fee is $425. The class meets both Saturday Morning and Afternoon.

31. Mauro Stemberger: Wiring Masterclass

All levels of students. Limited to 10.

The wiring masterclass with Mauro will blow your mind, giving you all the tips and tricks to bring your wiring skill to the next level. Bring wire and tools. If possible bring some branches to practice on. This class is also offered on Friday Morning.

32. Kim Seok Ju: Conifer Demonstration

All levels of students.

Watch Korea’s best bonsai artist transform pre bonsai to the beginning of a masterpiece. The resulting bonsai will be raffled or auctioned Saturday evening. He will be assisted by the Korean Dream Team.

 

Saturday Afternoon 2 PM to 5 PM

33. Julian Adams: Learn Black Pines Workshop

All levels of students. Limited to 12 students.

A very simple workshop using 2 year Japanese black pine seedlings. The purpose is to learn about the flexibility of black pine, use of copper wire, and provide the material to use in becoming familiar with how to create short needles on black pine material. Those who are successful will become confident in use of black pine material and will have a pleasing small literati black pine bonsai ready to pot in 2-3 years. Students are advised to take “Pines are Easy” class in the morning. This class and the workshops are offered on both class days. Fee is $10.

34. Bjorn Bjorholm: Traditional vs. Contemporary Japanese Bonsai Display

All levels of students.

Learn about traditional and contemporary bonsai display, from display arrangements and table selection to theme development and tokonoma alcove set-up. Bjorn will guide you through the process of creating large, medium, and shohin-size bonsai displays in this lecture/ discussion series. Become better adept at creating your own bonsai display in a contemporary context.

35. Young Choe: Shitakusa/Kusamono Maintenance Workshop.

All levels of students. Limited to 10 students.

Kusamono and accent plants often look their best when they are first created, and deteriorate over time. However, like bonsai trees, the best kusamono and shitakusa are those that have developed age and character. For the first time ever, Young Choe is offering a workshop entirely focused on their care and rehabilitation, over time. She will address normal care for them through the four seasons. She also how to rehabilitate and/or replenish kusamono/shitakusa whose health or components have suffered, including how to think about what kind of addition/replacements may be most suitable for each kusamono. Previous experience with Young Choe workshops or attendance at her presentation/demo is recommended, though not required. Students should bring their own chopstick(s), shears, bonsai tweezers and wire cutters. Participants must bring in their own kusamono (or accent plants), up to three per participant. Fee $30.

36. Enrique Castaño: Understanding the ins and outs of our trees.

All levels of students. Limited to 15 students.

This course focuses on the physiology of the trees from the time we start design to ancient bonsai trees. This course will assist you in developing the best in bonsai because you will learn the whys of how tree development works and what our work on the trees does to the tree. This course is also offered in the morning.

37. James F. Doyle: Deciduous Decisions

Intermediate and advanced students. Limited to 8.

A great time to “see” your trees. This timely course allows styling opportunities. Pruning, styling, carving, propagation, root design, and development will be covered on one of Jim’s all-time favorite subjects... Maples. Trees for all seasons. These selected trees have had years of preparation just for this course. Begin your tree’s journey and enlighten the language of nature. Fee $150

38. Kristine Majeske: Selecting the right scroll for display and Japanese wood aging techniques.

A discussion of the Symbolism in Japanese Sumie and how to choose a scroll that accents your Bonsai design or tells a story. She will also demonstrate the Japanese wood finishing technique of Shou Suji Ban, to age and preserve wood. Participants are encouraged to bring a photo of your tree so we can discuss options of art to accompany it. The lecture will include a slide show and handouts.

39. Peter Macasieb: Twisted Shohin Black Pine Workshop.

Intermediate and up students Limited to 6.

Add a wonderful Black Pine to your collection with these 12 year old specimen pines. Bring tools. Fee is $350.

40. Mauro Stemberger: Critique of Exhibition at the Arboretum

All levels of students. Limited to 20.

Follow Mauro through the exhibition to learn from this Italian master of design.

41. The Korean Dream Team: Advance Bending Techniques Lesson and Demonstration.

All levels of students.

Kim Soek Ju, Jo Myeong Ki and Kim Sae Won represent the best artists of Korea. They are known for their ability to make major bends in strong branches. Learn their techniques in this class.

42. Ron Lang and Sharon Russell:

All levels of students.

Lang Bonsai Containers Illustrated Presentation. This will cover the application of their experience as practicing artists/sculptures to the design of their containers. They are known for their non-traditional approach tot ceramic design and concepts for the presentation of bonsai. This course is also offered on Friday.

 

Or sign up for a guest membership

Thank you for your order! 

The BCI Award of Excellence has become an important symbol recognizing talented bonsai and stone artists around the world.

Contest rules:

1.  Contest is open to all BCI Individual, Online and Club Members.
2.  Award must include the BCI Logo Tree. Download the image here.
3.  Design can be one-sided or two-sided.
4.  Can be any shape.
5.  Award must be under 5 inches by 5 inches.
6.  Enter as many designs as you like.
7.  All entries must be accompanied by the official entry form.

Recognition

The winning design will receive the first Award, and a one-year membership to BCI. The designer will be acknowledged in an article in BCI Magazine and on the BCI website, as well as promoted in social media.

Deadline for Entries: September 1st, 2019 Entries must be received by August 1st, 2019 in high resolution JPG or PDF format. The winning entry will become the property of Bonsai Clubs International. Enter Online, by E-mail or by Mail. Use the form below or E-Mail: office@bonsai-bci.com. Postal Address: BCI Office: PO Box 639, Prospect Heights, IL 60070-0639, USA.

 

Enter Now!