Site created and maintained by Steven Ittel
Workshops
The guest artists provide special workshops on
provided materials. These workshops are generally
before the main portion of the Festival. This year
the Workshops will be held Friday afternoon before
the main program starts.
To preview the workshop materials, please click here
Spring Festival Summary
Lecture/Demonstrations
The centerpiece of the festival is the
informative and entertaining series of
Lecture/Demonstrations by the guest artists.
These start Friday evening and conclude
Sunday morning. Styling that has been initiated
during one lecture might be completed during a
follow-up lecture. The guest artists are
available in side-rooms as they continue the
styling process and most will engage in
conversations or give explanations while they
are working on the trees. The trees that have
been styled during the Demonstrations are
made available for raffle .
Masterpiece Bonsai Exhibit
There is an exhibit of select trees from all
of the member clubs. There has been a good
representation of trees that are grown in the
Mid-Atlantic region. Trees range from
substantial specimen trees to displays of
multiple tiny shohin trees on a single stand.
The displays include the normal components
of companion plants and some scrolls. Some
years, there is also a special collection of trees
by professional artists. The public is invited to
visit the exhibit on Saturday from 9:00 am to
5:00 pm, and Sunday from 9:00 am until noon.
There is a modest $20.00 entrance fee for the
vendor and exhibit areas. This fee is waived
for festival registrants and children less than
12 years of age.
Bonsai Critiques (Saturday
evening)
Critiques provide a wonderful opportunity
for the Guest Artists to express their
opinions on the trees shown in the displays.
The comments include their thoughts on
the horticulture of the tree, the artistry of
the bonsai styling, and the quality of the
overall display. These thoughts can be
important learning moments for both The
critiques are limited to twenty individuals
who are full festival participants.
Bonsai Vendor Area (Friday -
Sunday)
The vendor area is one the the most
important reasons to attend the meeting.
Trees, pots, tools, wire, stands, books, soil,
scrolls, companion plants, and even bonsai
jewelry are all available. The public is
invited to visit the vendor area on Friday
from 1:00 to 5:00, Saturday from 9:00 to
5:00, and Sunday from 9:00 until noon.
There is a modest $25.00 “walk-in” entrance
fee for the vendor and exhibit areas. This
fee is waived for festival registrants and
children less than 12 years of age.
Raffles of Demo Material (Sat.
- Sun.)
Silent Auctions (Sat.)
Banquet & Bonsai Auction
(Sat.)
MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies
Pictures from demonstrations in previous years