Potomac Bonsai Festival Programs

Potomac Bonsai Festival
Programs

New this year!

New Talent Competition
Friday, April 30, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Program Tent

Challenge yourself at this exciting new event! Participants will work on provided plant material from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm, when guest Judge Steven Tolley will choose the top three trees. The plant material will be junipers, field grown and pruned for use as bonsai by Jim Doyle. All trees will become property of the entrants.

The first place winner will have an automatic berth in the 2011 Joshua Roth New Talent Competition administered by the American Bonsai Society, should they choose to participate. Each of the three winners will receive a prize and be invited to attend the National Bonsai Foundation reception Friday evening at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. The winning trees will be on display for the duration of the festival. The awards are sponsored by Jim Doyle of Nature’s Way, Ron Lang and Sharon Edwards-Russell of Lang Bonsai, and Martha and Hugh Meehan of Meehan’s Miniatures.

Entry Guidelines: Any resident of the mid-Atlantic region who has been practicing the art of bonsai for less than ten years is eligible. He or she must not have been a winner or runner-up in the Joshua Roth New Talent Contest. Entrant provides tools, wire, and turn table. Fee: $85 ($68 FONA or NBF members) Registration required.

Annual Potomac Bonsai Association Regional Juried Show
April 30, May 1 & May 2, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Special Exhibits Wing

See some of the area’s finest bonsai at the Potomac Bonsai Festival’s second annual juried show. The trees on exhibit will be chosen by a selection committee composed of representatives of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, the National Bonsai Foundation, and the Potomac Bonsai Association. The selected trees will be judged by Steven Tolley, the festival’s visiting bonsai artist, and will be on display in the Special Exhibits Wing of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. For entry guidelines, see Juried Show. For biographical information on Mr. Tolley, see Steve Tolley bio.

Demonstration: Creating a Bonsai from a Collected Tree
Saturday, May 1, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Program Tent

The best way to learn about bonsai is to create one. But, how do you start? Watch, listen, and learn as Steven Tolley, a well-known bonsai artist from the U.K. starts from scratch with a large, mature, collected tree and transforms it into a bonsai. He will explain his vision and techniques as he works, demonstrating the early steps on the way to creating a future masterpiece. This is an excellent opportunity to see a master at work. See Steve Tolley bio for information on Mr. Tolley. Free.

Workshop: Beginners Bonsai Basics with Tropicals
Saturday, May 1, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture Demonstration Center

Create your own tropical bonsai in this workshop designed for the beginner. Thomas Kodiak, prominent bonsai artist and experienced instructor, will teach the horticultural, aesthetic, and cultural elements of bonsai and you will apply your new knowledge during the hands-on workshop. All necessary materials are provided, including plant material, which will be Brazilian Rain Trees or Ficus. Some tools will be available: please bring tools if you have them. Fee: $69 ($55 FONA or NBF members) Registration required. See Tool List for recommended tools.

Workshop: Beginners Bonsai Basics with Junipers
Saturday, May 1, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture Demonstration Center

Create a juniper bonsai in this workshop designed for the beginner. You will learn the horticultural, aesthetic, and cultural elements of bonsai and then apply your new knowledge during the hands-on workshop. All necessary materials, including the juniper, are provided. Some tools will be available: please bring tools if you have them. Your tree will need an outdoor location at home. Fee: $69 ($55 FONA or NBF members) Registration required. See Tool List for recommended tools.

Critique: Potomac Bonsai Association Regional Juried Show
Saturday, May 1, 5:00 – 6:00 pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Special Exhibits Wing

Walk through the Potomac Bonsai Association Juried Show with guest Judge Steven Tolley to get a behind-the-scenes look at how a judge assesses the merits of the entries. He will discuss the winners and other trees of special interest. This is an excellent way for all levels of bonsai artists to improve their understanding of design choices. See Steve Tolley bio for biographical information on Mr. Tolley. See Juried Show for more information on the show. Space is limited. Fee: $10 for all registrants. Registration required.

Workshop: Intermediate to Advanced Skill Level
Sunday, May 2, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture Demonstration Center

Work with exceptional plant material and internationally known bonsai artist Steve Tolley at this workshop designed for the individual with intermediate to advanced bonsai skills. Mr. Tolley, the festival’s visiting guest artist from the U.K., will guide you in the process of transforming your tree. Japanese yews were collected especially for this workshop and are field grown, 45-50 years old, with a trunk diameter of approximately four inches. Please bring tools and wire. See Steve Tolley bio for detailed information on Mr. Tolley. Fee: $149 ($119 FONA or NBF members) Registration required. This workshop is not for beginners.

Demonstration: Forest Style Bonsai
Sunday, May 2, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Program Tent

The striking beauty of the forest style is unique among bonsai as it transports the viewer into the depths of a remote forest. See how this vision is created as a member of the Potomac Bonsai Association creates a planting using the special techniques required for this style including planting intervals, trunk size, and tree placement, in order to create a sense of balance and harmony in the forest. Free.

Workshop: Intermediate to Advanced Skills, Bring Your Own Tree
Sunday, May 2, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture Demonstration Center

Do you have a good tree and want to make it a great one? Bring your established tree to this workshop and get guidance and inspiration from award-winning designer Steven Tolley. His expert guidance and perspective will help you improve your tree. The group size is limited to ensure that every participant and every tree gets individual attention. Bring one tree to work on, tools, and wire. (Optional: bring a second tree for critique if time allows). For more information, see Steve Tolley bio and Bonsai Tool List. Fee: $79 ($63 FONA or NBF members) Registration required. This workshop is not for beginners.

Demonstration: Ikebana
Sunday, May 2, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Program tent

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. See this process demonstrated as Sachiko Furlan, prominent local artist and teacher, uses seasonal materials to form color combinations, natural shapes, and graceful lines to create unique arrangements that are truly works of art. Free.

Quick Links:Bonsai Festival Programs, Bonsai Festival Guest Instructors, Juried Show, Daily Ongoing Events, Bonsai Tool List.

Interested in joining NBF or FONA? See the website for the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF) or the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) for complete information on memberships.

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Last Updated April 8, 2010 2:03 PM
URL = http://www.usna.usda.gov/Education/pbaevents.html