2019 2ndUS National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition

ATRIUM.JPG

OVERHEAD.jpg

The 2019 2ndUS National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition was held on June 28-30, 2019 at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The unique domed four story venue covered with marble was also home to the 2017 1stUS National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition and six Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expos held during the first weekend in December sponsored by Steve Zeisel. I’ve never seen such a beautiful refined display area for bonsai, and I’ve seen numerous exhibitions throughout the world. The light colored imported marble from Italy is bright and each bonsai could be easily studied. No need for additional lighting.

VIEW 2.JPG

VIEW.JPG

VIEW 3.JPG

 

2200.JPG

The compressed beauty of small size bonsai was featured in the three day event including eight workshops, eleven lecture/demonstrations, a critique, benefit auction and the exhibition featuring 140 individual bonsai. They were displayed by 29 people from Puerto Rico, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and New York. All of the beautiful shohin and small size bonsai were formally displayed alone, in three point, five point and seven point displays. In addition to a wide variety of species and cultivars it was amazing to see the high quality display tables as well. This type of display is not often seen, except for the US National Bonsai Exhibitions in Rochester, New York. Attention to detail and the love the artists put into presenting their small bonsai and displays is truly shines for the visitors. Additionally three rooms were filled to capacity with vendors offering everything from nursery stock, companion plants, pre-bonsai, established bonsai, soil, tools, supplies, books, suiseki, display tables and containers.

600.JPG

 

 

3200.JPG400.JPG2000.JPG

900.JPG

2500.JPG

4400.JPG

2700.JPG

300.JPG

1800.JPG

 

100.JPG

 

3800.JPG

 

1500.JPG

1300.JPG1400.JPG

 

3600.JPG

3900.JPG

 

3400.JPG

 

4100.JPG

4000.JPG

 

4200.JPG

1000.JPG

 

4300.JPG

3300.JPG

4800.JPG

4600.JPG

 

3100.JPG

700.JPG

3500.JPG

3700.JPG

2300.JPG

2900.JPG

4700.JPG

 

3000.JPG

MARC.JPG

1900.JPGEight workshops were conducted by skilled artists using Sargent juniper, Dwarf yaupon holly, Chinzan satsuki azalea, Dwarf black olive, Japanese red and black pine as well as a carving workshop creating root stands.

WOKSHIP 2.JPG

 

WORKSHOIP.JPG

Ten prominent award winning bonsai artists from Japan, England, Puerto Rico and the United States presented lecture/demonstrations, conducted eight workshops and a critique.

AKIYAMA PETER.JPG

AKIYAMA.JPG

DUO.JPG

Minoru Akiyama, Japan

 

 

PETER 2.JPG

PETER.JPG

Peter Warren, England

 

 

65462019_10220610508791417_6372397918573297664_n.jpg

Marc Arpag, New York

 

 

65439726_10220596098791176_8199762351033942016_n.jpg 

pots.JPG

Michael Ryan Bell, Mississippi

 

 

65590955_10220595360092709_1485049530310197248_n.jpg 

Mark Fields, Indiana

 

65439797_10220610445589837_7355710142458888192_n.jpg

65386156_10220610445229828_5966821532586999808_n.jpg

Michael Lebanik, Florida

 

 

65392306_10220594992923530_6997411326242848768_n.jpg

Carlos A. Morales, Puerto Rico

 

 

DAVE.JPG

David Paris, New York

 

 

65608368_10220597044934829_6747694651978809344_n.jpgSean Smith, Pennsylvania

 

65656266_10220610444189802_7363687786513170432_n.jpg

 

The judges, Minoru Akiyama from Japan, Peter Warren from England and Wm. N. Valavanis took considerable time to select the award winning bonsai and displays, it was a difficult job. They also conducted a 90 minute free educational critique open to the public.

Awards Presented

ADAIR.JPG

Best Overall Bonsai

Adair Martin

 

 

MEL.JPGBest Shohin Bonsai Under 8 Inches

Mel Goldstein

 

 

FIELDS.JPG

Best Small Bonsai Over 8 Inches

Mark Fields

 

 

LOUISE.JPG

Best Mame Bonsai Under 5 Inches

Louise Leister

 

LUNNETA.JPG

Best Tropical Bonsai

Michael & Lunetta Knowlton

 

SHANNON.JPG

Best Shohin Bonsai Composition

Shannon Salyer

 

 

TROY.JPGBest Narrow Leaf Evergreen Bonsai

Troy Schmidt

 

 

JUDY.JPG

Best Broadleaf Evergreen Bonsai

Judy Barto

 

 

ANDES.JPG

Best Deciduous Bonsai

Gary Andes

 

ROGERS.JPG

 

Best Bonsai Companion Combination

Mike Rogers

 

JOHNSON.JPG

Best North American Species

Johnson The

 

 

MARC.JPGMost Unique Bonsai Display

Marc Arpag

 

 

MARK & MARK.JPG

Additionally, the American Bonsai Society presented an award for the best native species to Marc Arpag.

200.JPG

2100.JPG

 

5000.JPG

1700.JPG

4900.JPG

1600.JPG

 

5100.JPG

All of the bonsai created during the educational lecture/demonstrations were in the Saturday Benefit Auction as well as unique items donated by generous vendors and friends. Proceeds were used to pay for the expenses. There was no admission fee and hundreds of local and long distance visitors enjoyed the exhibition and shopping in the vendor areas. There was a registration fee to learn from the bonsai artists. Generous sponsors and donors contributed to the great success of the event. One sponsor took the opportunity to officially introduce their new Mini Green-T Turntables designed specifically for shohin and small bonsai in the United States. Most of the demonstrators, when possible, used the new Mini Green-T Turntables during their programs.

VENDOR.JPG

VENDOR 2.JPG

The tremendous success of the 2019 2ndUS National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition is due to the North Carolina Research Campus staff hosting the event and the skilled speakers, non stop volunteers setting up and taking down the exhibition, vendors, sponsors and donors. Everyone enjoyed the well organized event and look forward to the 2021 3rdUS National Shohin Bonsai Exhibition at the same venue in June 2021.

Formal photos by Sam Ogranaja

Award photos by Judy Barto

WINTER SILHOUETTE.JPG