The Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition
The Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition co-sponsored by Joshua Roth and the American Bonsai Society is an annual competition to recognize and promote new bonsai talent in North America. First prize is an exclusive course of instruction with an approved bonsai teacher. The first stage of the competition will be judging of photographs of previously designed trees. The second stage will be the actual production of a bonsai during the Symposium.
Eligibility requirements
Any person who lives in North America, including Puerto Rico, is eligible. He or she must have been involved with the art of bonsai for less than ten (10) years. Any past winner or runner-up is ineligible to enter.
First stage submissions
Each contestant shall submit photographs of at least three bonsai that he or she has personally styled. More than one picture of each bonsai is preferred. The photographs do not have to be of publication quality; however they should show the talent of the artist to the best advantage.
All of the photographs submitted shall be enclosed in a single presentation folder with the photos enclosed in clear plastic sleeves. A brief description and history of each bonsai shall also be enclosed. Taped to the back inside cover of the folder shall be an envelope with the completed application form. There should be no identification on the photos or on the outside of the enclosed envelope.
Stage Two
Each contestant selected for the second stage of the competition will come to the Symposium. Each contestant must pay his or her own expenses to the Convention.
Each contestant shall:
1) Be provided with pre-bonsai material and wire by the Competition.
2) Furnish his or her personal tools. Power tools are acceptable.
3) Be given an eight (8) hour time period in which to style the material into a finished bonsai. Repotting of the finished bonsai will not be done during the competition.
Judging
Four of the major presenters at the Convention will judge the completed bonsai. In addition, all registrants at the Symposium will be able to vote for their personal choice. The "popular vote" is worth one vote. The artist whose bonsai receives the majority of the five votes will be awarded the title of "Best New Bonsai Talent of 2011" at the Saturday evening Banquet.
For more information and how to enter, please visit the American Bonsai Society website.