Sessions
THURSDAY ALL DAY (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
WORKSHOP 1 - RYAN NEIL - ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIPER
This will be an in-depth all day workshop with Ryan Neil. Material for the workshop will be collected Rocky Mountain Junipers provided by Randy Knight, proprietor of Oregon Bonsai. Ryan will cover how to take the initial steps in styling a completely untouched piece of collected material. The main focus of the workshop will be in establishing a proper branch framework on which to build a tree that will only improve with time. Participants' trees will each be dealt with individually, from start to finish in front of the class, with everyone having multiple opportunities to help and experience hands on. This process will ensure that all participants are exposed to a variety of styling situations and can learn how to properly deal with them. The ultimate objective of the workshop is to provide everyone with a tree that can be developed into a show-worthy tree, hopefully enterable in the national exhibition at some point down the road.
Workshop Material Cost -$1000
Here are a few examples of the types of trees that will be offered:
WORKSHOP 2 - JONATHAN MAPLES - SCROLL MAKING
This all day scroll making workshop begins with a brief lecture on the various types, history, and use of scrolls. Students will construct a Hanshi-sized scroll (approximately 1.5 feet by 3 feet). All aspects of scroll making will be covered in this hands-on class, including the concepts of scroll design for bonsai, mixing the glue, cutting the paper and cloth, cropping the artwork, and putting the various pieces together. Due to the lengthy detail in constructing a scroll, the final finishing will have to be done as a take-home project (complete instructions will be furnished) or finishing can be done by Mr. Maples. All materials and equipment needed will be furnished. Workshop limited to 10.
Workshop Material Cost - $100
THURSDAY AM (8:00 - 11:00)
WORKSHOP 3 - DOUG PHILIPS - SHOHIN FLAT CUT OLIVE
These Olive Pre-Bonsai have been flat cut and are well on their way to becoming quality bonsai.
Workshop Material Cost - $65
THURSDAY PM (1:30 - 4:30)
WORKSHOP 4 - DOUG PHILIPS - ADVANCED FLAT CUT OLIVE
These Olive Pre-Bonsai have been flat cut, have had minor trimming, and are well on their way to becoming quality bonsai.
Workshop Material Cost - $75
FRIDAY AM (8:00 - 11:00)
SESSION 1 - CHIARA PADRINI - BASIC SUISEKI
History, most famous suiseki, the name Suiseki, classification, landscape stones, object stones, pattern stones, colored stones, material, collecting places, shape, evaluation criteria, making a daiza all will be covered in this session. Participants are encouraged to bring Suiseki to this class for evaluation and critique. In addition, wood slabs can be brought in for initial design of a daiza.
SESSION 2 - MIN HSUAN LO - BONSAI IN TAIWAN
History of bonsai in Taiwan, along with the various bonsai associations currently meeting in Taiwan, will be covered. How the bonsai art has improved so rapidly, the future of bonsai in Taiwan, and how the the bonsai world community is effected by the Taiwanese styles will be detailed.
SESSION 3 - BOON MANAKITIVIPART - REPOTTING FOR ALL LEVELS
This session covers the correct way to remove the tree from the pot, how to work on the root ball, how to tie the tree into the pot and other repotting tips.
SESSION 4 - MARTIN SCHMALENBERG - BONSAI ROCK PLANTING
Marty will cover the design considerations and characteristics of planting a shohin bonsai on a complimentary stone, to create a Shohin "Composition". He will discuss theory of aesthetic construction and the supplemental features that are used to complete the design. There will be in-depth examination and analysis of classic Japanese and Chinese examples via PowerPoint.
SESSION 5 - JIM DOYLE - ALL ABOUT MAPLES FOR BONSAI
Maples have long intrigued bonsai artists for their year-round beauty. Learn propagation, development techniques, culture, design and inspiration in this intensive, well illustrated study by Jim who has been growing maples for over 37 years. The concentration will be on Japanese and trident maples.
SESSION 6 - WILLIAM VALAVANIS - DECIDUOUS SHOHIN BONSAI
The history, care, and maintenance of one of the smaller sizes of bonsai will be presented during a PowerPoint presentation. Effective display of shohin bonsai will be introduced as well. A short demonstration will precede the workshop where each participant will create a deciduous shohin bonsai using either a non grafted 3 year old dwarf Japanese maple or a 4 year old single trunk Jacqueline Hiller elm.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 90
SESSION 7 - ROB KEMPINSKI - MAKE YOUR OWN EXHIBIT STAND WORKSHOP
An overview of various exhibit type stands, their design, construction and use will be discussed. Then each participant will assemble and finish a stand from a pre cut kit. No wood working experience needed. Rubber gloves are suggested to protect hands.
As you can see, they are made from solid mahogany, with an inserted Japanese maple cut out. The sides feature a raised bead and there is a curved bead on the bottom of the legs to match the curved side. The front under the top has a raised cloud motif. This style and details require lots of hand work but the good news is the hard work has been done my me. The stands will be glued up and the rough carving done. All the workshop attendees will need to do is to fine tune the insert, final sand the stands and decide on a finish for the stand. The Japanese maple leaf inserts can be left a lighter color as they are made from birch plywood for strength across the grain, or they can be stained darker, or if one wants to get creative, they can be gold leafed, or to get really wild, paint them with acrylic paint to look a real leaf in the fall.
Workshop Material Cost - $75
Here are a few examples:
SESSION 8 - ANDREW SMITH - THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON TREE GROWTH
This is a slideshow & lecture with pictures of some great bonsai specimens, as well as full size trees, in their native environment. The discussion focuses on how environmental conditions affect tree growth and form and how this relates to bonsai care and design. Also shown are collecting techniques for pines and junipers in rock outcrop environments.
SESSION 9 - ENRIQUE CASTANO - WATER - THE MAIN INGREDIENT OF LIFE
Dr. Castano will discuss the problems that arise with improper watering and how to overcome them. He will also cover how to treat and prevent fungal infections, what important roles water plays, and what the bonsai artist can do to improve it.
SESSION 10 - ED TROUT - INTRODUCTION TO WEEPING STYLE BONSAI
Registrants will collectively style & design a Chinese Elm demo tree, using John Naka's theory on the weeping style.
SESSION 11 - JOHN THOMPSON - WIRING - TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICE
This session is devoted to exploring basic and intermediate techniques for wiring bonsai. This is a non-threatening, hands-on session that will emphasize principles that you will use over and over in your bonsai life. Neat and effective wiring is the mantra. Learning how to clean up, prune and prepare the tree for wiring will be covered. You will learn and practice efficient uses of aluminum and copper wire for both deciduous and coniferous material. Students should have their own bonsai tools including both bonsai wire cutters and wire pliers, as well as bonsai shears (all available in the vender area). Wire will be provided at both sessions. This course is in two parts to be followed with session 22.
FRIDAY PM (1:30 - 4:30)
SESSION 12 - CHIARA PADRINI - ADVANCED SUISEKI
How to display a stone in a Daiza, in a suiban and doban, how to put a stone in a tray (migikatte and hidarikatte), stands, multiple tables, jiita, kusamono and shitakusa, tempai, scrolls, tokonoma, the zen seven attributes, Wabisabi, Shibui Aware and yoin are all discussed. Participants are encouraged to bring Suiseki and wood slabs for initial design of a daiza and evaluation and critique of the combination.
SESSION 13 - MIN HSUAN LO - RAPID IMPROVEMENT IN BONSAI SIZE USING THE "LO STYLE" - PART 1
Lo has developed a method, called the Lo style, to rapidly improve the size of various trees. In this session, Lo presents a PowerPoint demonstration outlining the development of the Lo style. Lo has developed his skills using imaginations derived from nature and the philosophy of ancient Chinese artists. An extensive slide presentation will be presented showing the development of various trees in Lo’s extensive collection, as well as those of other Taiwanese artists.
SESSION 14 - BOON MANAKITIVIPART - JAPANESE BLACK PINES
Boon will cover the one year Japanese Black Pine cycle: when and how to repot Japanese black pine, when and how to decandle black pine, when and how to remove old needles and thinning in fall.
SESSION 15 - MARTIN SCHMALENBERG - SHOHIN BONSAI - ROOT OVER ROCK WORKSHOP
This workshop will provide aesthetic direction on creating a composition combining one or several shohin bonsai in conjunction with an artistic stone.
Trees and stones are provided.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 85
SESSION 16 - JIM DOYLE - COLLECTING TREES AND STONES
This fun course will fully equip you with what to bring and not to bring to enjoy collecting in the wild. Aftercare to keep the trees alive is equally important. The class will be voluminously illustrated with slides from Jim's many collecting trips in North America and Europe.
SESSION 17 - WILLIAM VALAVANIS - EVERGREEN SHOHIN BONSAI
The history, and care, and maintenance of one of the smaller sizes of bonsai will be presented during a PowerPoint presentation. Effective display of shohin bonsai will be introduced as well. A short demonstration will precede the workshop where each participant will create an evergreen shohin bonsai, using a 4 year single trunk Megs short needle miniature Mugho pine.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 65
SESSION 18 - ROB KEMPINSKI - HOW TO DIGITALLY PHOTOGRAPH A BONSAI TREE
Photography has always been important to bonsai, but digital photographs have revolutionized the process. This course will cover the basics of how to take good quality digital photographs of bonsai trees. Students will learn the basics of digital photography, how to arrange the photo shoot, how to use various lighting arrangements, and how to do post-processing of the image.
SESSION 19 - ANDREW SMITH - COLLECTED COMMON JUNIPER WORKSHOP
Common junipers are needle junipers with small, dark green needles and blue berries. Common juniper is the most widely distributed coniferous plant in the world and is adaptable to a wide variety of conditions. The berries are used to flavor gin and to make spices. The specimens used in this course are mainly shohin size, with some shari on the trunks, and many are in a naturally cascade or semi-cascade style. Most are about 50 years old. The course will focus on the pruning, wiring and aftercare required to make these into enjoyable bonsai specimens. These trees were collected in the South Dakota Black Hills and have been in growing pots for 1 and 2 years.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 100
Workshop Material Pictures
SESSION 20 - ENRIQUE CASTANO - MISHO THE ART AT THE BEGINNING
This session will detail the way to treat different seeds of various plant types to get optimum germination, the best way to treat cuttings, and how new varieties and cultivars can be created. The benefits and drawbacks of various types of potting media will be covered.
SESSION 21 - ED TROUT - WEEPING STYLE BONSAI WORKSHOP
Using John Naka's technique, registrants will each style a Chinese Elm in the weeping style. Each tree is at least 16 inches tall with approximately 2 inch diameter trunks, all with wonderful movement. They are already in plastic bonsai containers.
Workshop Material Cost - $85
SESSION 22 - JOHN THOMPSON - WIRING - APPLIED WORKSHOP
This is a continuation of Session 11 that will help the student practice what was learned in the Wiring Session 11 class. The student may bring his own tree or may purchase one from the venders’ area at the convention. Consistent application of the wiring principles on the student’s own tree will reinforce the morning lessons, provide the student with a wiring template to take home, and give the student an opportunity to solve unique wiring problems and set the branches on an actual tree.
Bonsai tools are required.
SATURDAY AM (8:00 - 11:00)
SESSION 23 - CHIARA PADRINI - ADVANCED SUISEKI
The Suseok History, searching areas, Suseok – gweseok – miseok, main classifications, most important shapes, landscape stones, rock stones, platform stones, lake stones, waterfall stones, island stones, abstract stones, pattern stones, colored stones, aesthetic and space dynamics, selection of the front, and Suseok examples all will be discussed. Participants are encouraged to bring Suiseki to this class for evaluation and critique.
SESSION 24 - MIN HSUAN LO - RAPID IMPROVEMENT IN BONSAI SIZE USING THE "LO STYLE" - PART 2
This seminar is a continuation of session 13. Lo continues his discussion accompanied by numerous examples of how the trees in nature can lead the bonsai artist to develop natural styles in bonsai. Lo describes it as simply developing a balance between man and nature. Using the Lo style in developing bonsai can rapidly turn an ordinary bonsai into a stunning specimen.
SESSION 25 - BOON MANAKITIVIPART - JAPANESE MAPLES
Topics for this session include how to develop Japanese maple in the pot for bonsai, the best way to acquire Japanese maple, how to develop structure, and how to refine your Japanese maple bonsai.
SESSION 26 - WILLIAM VALAVANIS - FLOWERING SHOHIN BONSAI WORKSHOP
The history, care, and maintenance of one of the smaller sizes of bonsai will be presented during a PowerPoint presentation. Effective display of shohin bonsai will be introduced as well. A short demonstration will precede the workshop. Each participant will design a flowering shohin bonsai from a 5+ year trimmed Chinzan Satsuki Azalea.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 65
SESSION 27 - JIM DOYLE - LITERATI STYLE PHILOSOPHY
What is your definition of literati? Join Jim in the discussion of literati through history, art and inspiration to understand why this simple tree design can be the most challenging. Jim has collected, in the wilds of Nature's Way, Sapphireberry Symplocos paniculata and either a Pitch pine or Scots pine for use in this course. One of each will be used in the design of a Literati bonsai. Tools are required.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 60
SESSION 28 - ROB KEMPINSKI - JAPANESE BLACK PINE DEMYSTIFIED
The Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii), known as the King of Bonsai, has one of the widest growth distributions in the US. A popular tree with great intrinsic value, it adds much beauty and value to a bonsai collection. Much information exists about how to grow Japanese Black Pine as a bonsai, yet a lot of it is contradictory and shrouded in arcane and mysterious terms. This class will review what Rob has learned about growing Japanese Black Pine and it will be presented in clear and simple process. It will cover the Art Cycle of Japanese Black Pine, the varied development techniques for each stage of growth from seed to finished specimen, and how timing and geographic locale affect the process.
SESSION 29 - ANDREW SMITH - COLLECTED PONDEROSA PINE WORKSHOP
Ponderosa is the legendary pine of the western mountains. These trees are prized as bonsai because of their rough bark, contorted trunks, fantastic deadwood and ease of care. For this workshop, we will use small to medium size ponderosa pine that were collected in the Black Hills in the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010. These trees average 50-100 years old. The course will focus on wiring and shaping the trees, and recommended aftercare will be discussed.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 145
Workshop Material Pictures
SESSION 30 - ENRIQUE CASTANO - MYTHS AND TRUTHS IN BOTANY FOR BONSAI
This seminar will cover many of the bonsai myths that have been propagated through the years, along with an explanation of why they are myths. Enrique will also explain some of the truths in botany and how to take advantage of this information in keeping your bonsai healthy.
SESSION 31 - ED TROUT - DISCUSSION OF SHOHIN STYLE TROPICAL BONSAI
Registrants will collectively style 3-4 different tropical specimens ( Ficus, Bucida, buttonwood, raintree )
SESSION 32 - JOHN THOMPSON - SOIL, FERTILIZING AND WATERING
This trio of elements will be the subject of the session. The composition (the what), as well as the interplay of these three bonsai components, will be explored and discussed. The when, how, and why will allow you to be more successful in the growth, development, and care of your trees. Components, schedules, and rationale of use will be covered.
SESSION 33 - MARTIN SCHMALENBERG - HOW TO DEVELOP A BONSAI DESIGN EYE - INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVELS
This course is designed to get the participant to see into the styling process of creating a bonsai. The participant will be analyzing the various options from raw material or semi-finished trees, and making decisions as the best way to project design direction or corrections for the future development of the tree. In addition to hands-on work with the student's tree, there will be a continuing "verbal workshop" to consider the chronological development (sometimes drastic) of the speaker's own personal bonsai collection.
The course is in two parts to be followed with a bring-your-own tree workshop where the principles taught in the class will be applied to development of a bonsai. Trees may be brought in or purchased from the vendors at the symposium.
Participants must register for both morning and afternoon sessions. (Session 33 & 44)
SATURDAY PM (1:30 - 4:30)
SESSION 34 - CHIARA PADRINI - STONES IN CHINA
This session covers the significance of rocks in Chinese culture, the alchemy influence and mineral colors, energy and structure, mountain forms, rocks and gardens, the connoisseurship of rocks, typology of Chinese stones, and aesthetic criteria. Participants are encouraged to bring Suiseki to this class for evaluation and critique. In addition, wood slabs can be brought in for initial design of a daiza.
SESSION 35 - MIN HSUAN LO - SHIMPAKU REFINEMENT
LO styling tools which are used to improve the appearance of raw Shimpaku will be discussed. These techniques will be utilized by each student to design his own Shimpaku bonsai.
Workshop Material Cost - $45
SESSION 36 - BOON MANAKITIIVIPART - SATSUKI AZALEA
Boon will discuss the yearly schedule of work, when and how to prune your azalea, and repotting the azalea
SESSION 37 - BILL VALAVANIS - FOREST STYLE SHOHIN BONSAI WORKSHOP
A short demonstration will precede the workshop where each participant will create a forest style shohin bonsai using Korean hornbeams. Effective display of shohin bonsai will be introduced as well. A short demonstration will precede the workshop.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 90
SESSION 38 - JIM DOYLE - ELEMENTS OF JAPANESE GARDENING
Discussion and slides will be used to present the plants, rocks, water and ornaments that go into the design of Japanese-inspired gardens. Bring your plot plans, photographs, questions and take advantage of Jim's 37 years of design and installation experience.
SESSION 39 - ROB KEMPINSKI - MINI STUDY GROUP
The study group is perhaps the most expeditious way to learn about bonsai and to improve your collection. In this class we will set up a mini-study group. Rob will introduce the concept of a study group and how it functions. Then we will form one for this session. Each study group member will bring his own tree(s) and participate in the critique and work on the trees. Tools are required.
SESSION 40 - ANDREW SMITH - PHOENIX GRAFT WORKSHOP
It's not quite an instant bonsai, but the phoenix grafting technique allows you to create an ancient looking tree in a pot in a matter of a couple hours. For this workshop, we will be using twisted juniper and pine driftwood and attaching Black Hills spruce whips to it. The driftwood will already have the grooves for the trees carved into it and anchors to hold it into the pot attached. The workshop will focus on attaching the whips to the driftwood, potting the new tree securely, and then shaping the branches with wire. Aftercare will be discussed.
Workshop Material Cost - $ 100
Workshop Material Pictures
SESSION 41 - ENRIQUE CASTANO - WOOD AND BARK
In this session, a demonstration on how to treat, carve and achieve a natural look on bark will be given. In the discussion, various aspects of wood and bark development will be covered, as well as the use of power and hand tools.
SESSION 42 - ED TROUT - SHOHIN TROPICAL BONSAI WORKSHOP
Tropical material makes wonderful shohin bonsai. Each registrant will receive a minimum of 3-4 different species of pre-bonsai tropical trees (Ficus nerifolia, Ficus retusa, Bucida spinosa, Chinese elm, Fukien tea, serissa, or Buttonwood) and style these as shohin bonsai. The trees are already in plastic bonsai containers.
Workshop Material Cost - $95
SESSION 43 - JOHN THOMPSON - CONFERS VERSUS DECIDUOUS STYLING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES
This session is a discussion of the different growth patterns, habits and features of various conifer and deciduous species. It will emphasize the differences and suggest styling methods and techniques for bringing out the essential elements of the specie for inclusion in our bonsai. Overall tree shape, branch construction and foliage arrangement will be discussed.
SESSION 44 - MARTIN SCHMALENBERG - HOW TO DEVELOP A BONSAI DESIGN EYE - WORKSHOP - INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVELS
Continuation of morning course.
Participants must register for both morning and afternoon sessions - Sessions 33 & 44
SUNDAY AM (8:00 - 11:00)
SESSION 45 - RYAN NEIL - FUTURE OF BONSAI IN THE US
This will be a moderated discussion on the future of bonsai in the United States. Based on Ryan's lengthy experience working within the Japanese bonsai world, he will hold an interactive seminar to discuss where the US bonsai hobby is headed. He will present his beliefs on both the wrong and right way to develop the US bonsai culture.
"I was encouraged to not only focus on hands-on work, but to also offer another form of learning. After thinking long and hard about what I consider to be the most important aspects of bonsai, it dawned on me that my experience for such a lengthy time within the Japanese bonsai world and the access to European bonsai world has granted me, a unique perspective. I thought would make a lot of sense to sit down with the participants and organizers of such a significant convention and really discuss where the U.S. is headed in terms of bonsai. I firmly believe there are a lot of wrong ways to develop a bonsai culture and a few right ways. Acting as the moderator for the discussion, I would like to pose a variety of different ideas and concepts, let people take the reins, and perhaps initiate some sort of groundwork (or at least spark some thought) as to how the upcoming development of the American bonsai world should be handled and dealt with to create a culture that is sustainable unlike Europe and Japan."
SESSION 46 - DOUG PHILIPS - TRIDENT WIRE FRAMES
Doug will show his unique wire frame method of developing large trident maple bonsai in just a few short years. Details of the basic wire frame design will be detailed, with examples and demonstrations.