.

Angelo Ferlita was born in 1999 in Santo Stefano Quisquina (Sicily).

At 16 years old he started his true path with “Siculamente Bonsai Club Avola” where he met his teacher Salvatore Liporace and took a training course based on theory and practice. During his journey at the Studio Botanico of his teacher he had the occasion to work on many different masterpieces and to collaborate with other students of the school.

Most recently, Angelo graduated from the Scienze Forestali ed Ambientali on March 16, 2023.

In 2017, during the U.B.I. Congress in Jesi, Angelo took part at a demonstration on a Phoenician juniper with his “Siculamente Bonsai Club Avola”.

The same year he joined the XIX Bonsai Coordinamento Piemonte-Lombardia Congress) as an assistan. At the demo he worked on a phoenician juniper together with Nicola Sorressa.

From 2017 to 2018; on two occasions he worked with teacher Naoki Maeoka where he improved his theory, especially his eye on styling and on the finishing touch.

Since 2017, he permanently collaborates with the bonsai nursery “ L’Ulivo” owned by Francesco Giammona; Angelo considers Francesco Giammona his true bonsai master.

Angelo, with the help of his master, studies and learns the growing and the management of bonsai. Focusing on Mediterranean species (Olive, Thyme, Myrtus, Cork Oak).

During their several excursions with his bonsai master he learned the “Yamadori” art.

During the IV Bonsai Coordinamento Marche Exhibition, at Garden Europa of Adriano Quercetti, he took part in  a lecture, with his master Giammona, on the Mediterranean species (bonsai) and the phytopatology notions.

He has visited many major European exhibitions (Trophy in Belgium, U.B.I. – I.B.S. Congress in Italy, European Bonsai San Show Saulieu in France) to increase his knowledge.

Nowadays, Angelo helps and follows bonsai lovers of his area and tries to spread the bonsai art.

Since 2020 he manages the sales on the bonsai website: www.ferlitabonsai.com .

The purpose of the listing is to give Bonsai artists that are members of BCI the opportunity to list their achievements and skills to an audience of interested Bonsai enthusiast's.

The artist are listed in country order, those with a * after their name were listed in the prestigious " BCI International Bonsai Instructors"  book.

Produced by Mr I. C and Helen Su - Taiwan  and compiled by Glenis Bebb - Australia


It is a criteria of the listing that you are a member of BCI. Artists that were listed in the International Instructors book are automatically listed on this page until 31 December 2011. After that date any artist who is not a member will unfortunately will be removed from the listing.

If you would like to be listed on this page and you are an active BCI member click this link to register your details. Please specifiy that you are requesting an application for BCI Artists. We will then send a form to be completed and it will be evaluated by a committee of Bonsai professionals and the result of the application will be acknowledged. Naturally the committee verdict is final.

Good luck in your application and enjoy reading about the artists, their bonsai experiences and viewing their trees.

Web

BCI Excellence Award Design Contest

The limited edition medal designed by BCI Director Guillermo Castaño in 2011 have all been awarded, so it is time to create a brand new limited edition.

Rules Below

Enter!

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!

Visit our Facebook Auction Group. 

BCI Members and Friends,

Thank you to all of the donators and participants in our last BCI Auction in May. Each and every one of you was responsible for its great success!
We have decided to make the BCI Everything Auction an annual November fundraiser.
We do hope that everyone will help support BCI through their donations and their bids!
Like many organizations all over the world, we are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic and need to continue to fundraise, to be able to offer the high-quality magazine you expect every quarter.
So please donate and bid on these great items!

Frank Mihalic, BCI President

Last auction we had over 100 unique bonsai-related items from 40+ donors. 

Important Dates:

Our next auction starts on November 19 at 00:00 UTC and ends on November 26 at 23:00 UTC.
(To find out the time in your time zone, visit https://dayspedia.com/time/ 

Enter your location to find out when the auction starts in your area or use this guide.)

Contact BCI Office with questions about the Online Auction.

Budi Sulistyo

Budi Sulistyo was born in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia in 1952. He started doing bonsai in 1976. He is considered as one of the bonsai pioneers in his country. He conducted bonsai programs on National Television for almost ten years since 1986. His first international debut was as the headliner and workshops coordinator in ASPAC 1 in Bali, 1991. Since then, as the first person in Indonesia invited abroad to teach bonsai, he has travelled to many countries such as Asia, Australia, Africa and America and Europe for demonstrations, workshops, critiques and judging. He wrote three bonsai books in the Indonesian language and one, “Tropical Bonsai Gallery,” in English. His works received many awards from international bonsai bodies like Nippon Bonsai Association and WBFF. In 2007 he was the chief of operation in the 9th ASPAC in Bali. He is the Director of International Affairs of The Indonesian Bonsai Society. He is now active with the YouTube channel “ Budi Sulistyo” on Bonsai and Suiseki.

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David Nguy, USA

Personal Profile

David was born in Vietnam and currently resides in California, USA.

David has been referred to by the Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF) as “Mr. California Juniper II.” He is highly recognized for his signature California Juniper trees, Black Pine, and other species.

David has been under the tutelage of famed Bonsai Masters such as Harry Hirao, Ben Oki, Ernie Kuo, and Masahiko Kimura in Japan. He travels all over the United States frequently conducting demonstrations and workshops at various clubs.

For consecutive years, David has been featured as a headliner for numerous Bonsai conventions. David is the founder of Bonsai Jidai school located in Southern California. For more information, please visit at www.bonsaijidai.com.

Enrique Castaño de la Serna

Enrique Castano as a second-generation bonsai artist was introduced to Bonsai and the horticultural world at an early age. His love for nature led to his studies in biology, and he subsequently received a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Rochester (NY) in 1997. He has done post-doctoral in Harvard and MCRI in England. He currently is a professor at the plant research center in Merida with over 50 index research publications and uses his educational background to promote Bonsai in the world. Sharing his knowledge in bonsai from aesthetics, philosophy and science. He teaches and gives demonstrations in various locations around the world (China, Taiwan, UK, USA, Czech Republic, Mexico, Lithuania). Has written several articles for various magazines. BCI, Bonsai Today, Bonsai Focus, American Bonsai, International Bonsai. His trees were selected by The World Bonsai Friendship Federation and the BCI selected Bonsai on different years. He has also won various prizes including the John Naka award, Chase Rosade Award, Mexico best design award, Awards by FELAB, Gold and silver medals in bonsai olympics of WBFF, 3rd prize; the Isamel Saleh Bonsai Photo Contest, Gold Award Penjing in China, the WBFF Chairman Emeritus award. He was part of the editors of Art of Bonsai and Knowledge of Bonsai. In 2010 he was the chairman for FELAB and has organize several regional events since then. The last event was the first shohin bonsai exhibition in Merida 2017. His book “Botany for Bonsai: The Science Behind the Art,” serves as a building block for Bonsai horticulture. Recently has done demonstrations in the US National bonsai event 2016, ABS National 2019, Czech Rep. Botanical garden 2019, Lithuania bonsai exhibition 2019, BCI China 2019 and Golden State California 2019.

Has been director in BCI and ABS and he is currently President of FELAB and director of Latin American region for WBFF

He has done several demos and exhibitions and awards some include 1996 Exhibition in Rochester NY

2003-2015 Demonstrations in the annual exhibition of tropical bonsai Merida Yucatan

2002-2014 Demonstrations in Merida, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Veracruz, Tijuana, Czech Rep, UK, Lithuania, US.

2002- Present Teaching Bonsai In Mexico

2005 Selected in the international winner by WBF

2006 Selected award for the best bonsai in Mexico.

2006 Jan-March Publication by BCI for one of the 100 best in the world

2006 Gold award penjing award

2006 Selected trees by the Art of Bonsai Project international gallery

2006 Demonstrator at Czech Bonsai Association

2007 Book Publish “Botany for Bonsai: The Science Behind the Art”

2007 Started Blog at Knowledge of bonsai art

2007 Second runner up in ABFF INTERNATIONAL BONSAI PHOTO CONTEST - ISMAIL SALEH TROPHY

2008 Editor for Knowledge of Bonsai Art

2008 Editor for Art of Bonsai Project.

2005-2014 Several articles have been publish in different bonsai journals.

2008-2010 Judge for Certre

2008 Demonstrator at Czech Bonsai Association international event, Czech R.

2009-present ABS Board member

2009 FEMEXBO Board member

2009 Judge at Union Bonsai Italia (UBI), Italy

2009 Winner of Gold and Silver medals in Puerto Rico WBFF

2010 Winner of John Naka award

2010 Chairman of FELAB event in Mexico

2010 International selection by BCI

2010 Award by the WBFF

2010 Chase Rosade Award

2011 Teacher at ABS-BCI, USA.

2012 Winner of the international design by ofbonsai contest

2012 Demonstrator at Lithuania bonsai convention.

2013 Winner of broad leaf design by ofbonsai contest

2013 Winner of all round design by ofbonsai contest

2013 Teacher at ABS, NY, USA.

2013 Director of the Mexican Federation of Bonsai

2014 Headliners at BSF, Florida, USA

2014 Judge at Triennale Bonsai, Germany

2014 Selected bonsai for Gafuten

2014 Winner of the shohin design by Venezuela contest

2015 Headliners at CBA, Czech Rep.

2015 Selected bonsai for Gafuten

2016 Headliner at US National Bonsai, NY

2016 Winner of the shohin design by Cincobarracinco

2016 Second place in Venezuela photocontest overall.

2016 Demonstrator at FELAB, Puebla Mexico

2016 Headliner in Shangai, China

2017 Headliner in BCI, Taiwan

2018 Headliner in Texas

2018 Headliner in Lithuania

2018 Headliner in Poland

2019 Headliner in BCI, China

2019 Headliner in California, Riverside

2020 Headliner in Santa Cruz California

View photos from Bonsai & Stone events from around the world that masters and other organizations have shared with BCI!

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

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.

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Articles cover many subjects from important international and national conferences, tours and exhibits to showcasing the work and collections of noted artists and collectors.

We strive to inform and educate our readers with articles that expand and enrich our knowledge of bonsai, penjing, viewing stones, bonsai pottery, companion plants, formal presentation of trees and stones, and much more. Book reviews, News and Events help our readers stay in touch with the international world of bonsai and related arts.

Basics of Design

Informal Upright

by Lew Buller

There is only one formal upright in my collection, and that’s my bald cypress.

 A formal upright requires a perfectly straight trunk and they are hard to come by. Consequently, most of my upright trees are of the informal style.

Read more: Informal Upright test

The profile of Aldo Marchese

Suiseki Curriculum
INTRODUCTION: In 2007 I had the good fortune to meet in this world unknown to me, Mrs. Queirolo Luciana (who became my mentor) and since then I have started a course of studies and insights with her that have involved the following issues addressed in a training course in Suiseki, currently in progress:
a) The thematic and recognized classifications of the Viewing Stones translated by me and deepened in derivation organization charts;
b) Gong-Shi and Sui-Seki, derivations, differences and convergences;
c) Yo-Seki and cultivation of stones;
d) Evocative and suggestive aspects.
e) Exhibition and kazari (which in Suiseki I am deepening with the help of J. Quintas).

I have studied the above topics and others in the following literature:
- The art of Suiseki - Covello and Yoshimura (in-depth analysis on video call in 2020 with Mr Covello);
- Suiseki “The Japanese art of miniature landscapes stones “ – Felix G. Rivera;
- Contemporary viewing stones - Tom Elias;
- Kemin Hu- The spirits of Gongshi- chinese schoolar rocks;
- Aesthetics – A. Ricchiari;
- Crisanthemum Stones – Tom Elias;
- AIAS (Italian Association of Suiseki Amateurs) newsletters;
- Asiseki California News;
- Baozang Chinese magazine focused on Viewing stones;
- NSA (Nippon Suiseki Association Exhibition Catalog);
- Kazari (Edoardo Rossi)
- QSEki by Jesus Quintas, of which I am currently lucky enough to follow as a student.

I have published several articles on the website www.aias-suiseki.eu.
- Tianmen - The Gate of Heaven.
- The dark dolomite of Calabria.
- Hokusai's teaching – Enoshima and Mount Fuji.
- The Pietà from Michelangelo to the Stone.
- The green stone of Calabria.
- The Granites of the Sila.
- Dialogues between a pupil and his Master by J. Quintas and A. Marchese
- Introduction to Suiseki; which was also published in the online journal Branch of the IBS;
- Classification of contemplation stones.

I have published two articles in BCI International:
-Introduction to Suiseki year 2022;
- Maternity (forthcoming publication) year 2023

Ordinary member since 1999 for the Bonsai and Suiseki Perla dello Jonio association in Catanzaro, suiseki school trainer;
Ordinary member of Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyookai Europe (NBSKE) since 2019;
Since 2020 I also have the honor of being:
- Instructor of the National College of Instructors for suiseki -IBS;
- Member of the Governing Council of AIAS with the mandate of head of educational activities; setting myself the goal of divulging this art, with the awareness that there are more truths about it and therefore enriching myself accordingly with this new experience.
My vision of suiseki is: Veneration, admiration and appreciation of nature through the stones it gives us and to experience the beauty of the universe in that microcosm that suiseki represents; at the same time strongly living the intense emotions it gives us for the creation of fantastic images through the mental detachment necessary for the evocation.
With this definition above, I hope to give an answer to the question of one of my teachers, in 2018, at the XXI° AIAS national congress in Florence, he asked all the suisekists present at his Conference "The exhibition of suiseki, between forms , discipline and indulgence of feeling:
if we consider suiseki and obviously its exposition a Japanese practice, or if it can now be considered something universal?”
On the other hand, as he often loves to repeat and remember a phrase of his Sudo Master, "the ideal set-up is the one that shows what is not there. A stone is perhaps the most interesting form of expression of the unsaid" and I add, as in Japan, emotions and feelings in the presence of Nature are Universal in the rest of the world.

PERIOD Exhibition Bonsai and Suiseki RECOGNIZED BY

• 2010 to 2018 Exhibition and curation in the various biennials - Club Perla dello Jonio Judge for Suiseki Madame Luciana Queirolo
• 2014 Founding member of Calabria coordination for Bonsai and Suiseki Trainer c/o coordination and club for suiseki
• 2018 Exhibition at the national exhibition of Cosenza (IT) 1st post for Suiseki judge: Mr Buccini and Galli
• 2019 AIAS Exhibition - La Sapienza Botanical Garden Congress - Rome Mention of merit - stone to contemplate Judge for suiseki Madame L. Queirolo
• 2019 Exhibition care and lesson on Suiseki Exhibition of Salice Salentino (LE Italy)
• 2020 Publication of the AIAS Catalog Stone to be contemplated Munharo' - evaluation Mr Martin Pauli
  2021 National Show XI edition Catanzaro Judge "out of competition" for IBS, AIAS - Conference "introduction to Suiseki"
• 2021 VSANA International Small Stones Contest World Apart Excellence Award Contemporary stone display Excellent award in contemporary kazari display
• 2021 Exhibition and Exhibition of the National College of Bonsai and Suiseki Instructors in Rivoli (TO) Judge "out of competition" for IBS in suiseki and Conference "introduction to Suiseki"
• 2022 National Exhibition XII edition Catanzaro Judge "out of competition" for IBS, AIAS and awards for suiseki - Conference "Stone to be contemplated and Meditation"
• 2022 XXV edition of the AIAS Exhibition Bondeno (MN) Judge "out of competition" for IBS and Conference "Stone to be contemplated and Meditation"
• 2022-2023 "Accademia del Suiseki" of Roccavaldina (ME) Instructor for Suiseki for the years 2022/2023
• 2023 National Show XIII edition Catanzaro Judge "out of competition" for IBS, AIAS and prizes for suiseki