• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Bonsai Tonight

An educational website about bonsai development

  • Blog
    • How-to Guides
  • Podcast
  • Shop
    • Bonsai
    • Books
    • Soil
    • Soil (wholesale)
    • Supplies
    • Tools
    • Video Consulting
    • Northern California Bonsai Resources
  • About
    • Workshops

An idea for a bonsai show

November 22, 2019 by Jonas Dupuich

I’d like to host a bonsai show in November, 2021. You’re all invited.

For the past few years, Eric Schrader and I have been thinking about how much fun it would be to attend an exhibit that shows off some of the best trees in Northern California. Earlier this month, we set a goal to host such an event. Here’s the idea.

The show will feature 75 displays – some traditional, some modern. Exhibitors will submit their display ideas to a panel of jurors who will determine which bonsai will be accepted for display.

This is the key step. The success of the exhibit relies on the quality of the submissions. Our aim in announcing the event two years in advance is to give potential exhibitors ample opportunity to determine which trees to submit, and enough time to prepare these trees for exhibit.

In other words, you will determine what the exhibit looks like, and this is the part that excites me the most about the event.

Accompanying the exhibit will be a large vendor area featuring the best selection of trees, containers, and supplies we can manage. We’re fortunate to have many great vendors in the region and we look forward to seeing as many of them as possible at the event.

While we have yet to set all of the details, here are some things we do know:

  • The event is open to everyone. Out of state submissions are welcome.
  • Jurors will not know the identity of the trees’ owners – submissions will be evaluated solely by the quality of the trees and the merit of the displays.
  • Traditional displays and novel displays will be considered equally.
  • We will curate a non-traditional display area that explores a selected theme in depth.
  • We’re open to hosting the event every other year going forward.

What we’re working on now:

  • The venue. We’re looking for a space of at least 10,000 square feet within the Bay Area.
  • The date. We’ll set the dates when we secure a venue. Our target date is November 12-14, 2021.

Additional features of the exhibit will depend on the support the event receives. This includes a panel of judges to award prizes and an exhibit catalog featuring photographs of exhibited entries.

What can you do to help?

  • Identify candidate venues
  • Identify bonsai to submit
  • Spread the news!

I decided to share these ideas before figuring out the details – or even a name! – for two reasons. Most importantly, I welcome your contributions and believe they will make the event a big success.

I also want to share the story of the event as it unfolds in hopes of providing guidance or inspiration to anyone interested in creating their own bonsai events.

Before leaving the topic for today, here are some bonsai I’ve enjoyed seeing in local exhibits over the years. Will share more news about this event as soon as it’s available.

Western juniper

Western juniper displayed at the 2018 Golden State Bonsai Federation convention

Shimpaku

Shimpaku juniper displayed at the 2016 Bay Island Bonsai exhibit

Gooseberry

Gooseberry displayed at the 2016 Bay Island Bonsai exhibit

Shohin display

Shohin display at the 2019 Suiseki and Shohin exhibit

Black pine

Japanese black pine displayed at the 2016 Bonsai Society of San Francisco exhibit

Have any ideas off the top of your head? Share them in the comments below.

Subscribe to Bonsai Tonight

New Posts Delivered Every Tuesday and Friday

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by Kit

Filed Under: Exhibits Tagged With: Pacific Bonsai Expo

Previous Post: « The benefits of thinning satsuki azaleas in fall
Next Post: Five patterns for pulling needles on black pine »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Richard Dorfman says

    November 22, 2019 at 4:17 am

    Wonderful idea Jonas…though you might want to consider moving it forward a few weeks. Might be difficult for those traveling from afar to contemplate 2 trips in 2 weeks if it’s too close to Thanksgiving.

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      November 22, 2019 at 7:31 am

      Thanks Richard, good point. Will see what we can do about the timing!

  2. Richard Sintchak says

    November 22, 2019 at 6:34 am

    Sounds terrific!

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      November 22, 2019 at 7:31 am

      Thanks Richard!

  3. Dave Hodgetts says

    November 22, 2019 at 8:33 am

    Hi Jonas,

    Great idea. The ophthalmic professional in me, however, has to point out that the politically correct term for your jury would be “masked” rather than blind.

    All the best,
    Dave

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      November 22, 2019 at 8:43 am

      Great catch – thanks Dave!

    • Bill Rice says

      November 22, 2019 at 11:28 pm

      Hi Jonas,
      Sounds great! I’m all in, willing to help out in any capacity I can!

      Cheers,
      Bill

      • Jonas Dupuich says

        November 23, 2019 at 7:52 pm

        Thanks Bill, will be happy for the help!

  4. VickiC says

    November 22, 2019 at 8:43 am

    It’s on the calendar! You’re the person to create something really special, Jonas.

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      November 22, 2019 at 10:33 am

      Thank you Vicki – will see what I can do to make this happen!

  5. Chris Cochrane says

    November 22, 2019 at 9:36 am

    Along with Eric Schrader as co-chair, you can touch the heart of bonsai yearning. Best wishes & good hunting!

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      November 22, 2019 at 10:32 am

      Thanks Chris – I appreciate it!

  6. Tony Fajarillo says

    November 22, 2019 at 6:05 pm

    Great idea Jonas! I’d love to see this happen. I was contemplating of a show in the west similar in magnitude as what Bill Vilavanis does on the east coast.

  7. Robert Potts says

    November 23, 2019 at 6:36 am

    This is awesome! I’m in!

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      November 23, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      Happy to hear it – thanks Bob!

  8. Adam Toth says

    December 2, 2019 at 5:26 am

    This is soo cool! I hope one day to be a part of it!

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      December 2, 2019 at 8:44 am

      Thanks – I hope so too!

Footer

Follow Bonsai Tonight

Subscribe

Instagram ● Facebook ● Twitter
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • About

P.O. Box 6560, Alameda, CA 94501 · 510-915-2025 · jonas (at) bonsaitonight (dot) com

© Copyright 2009-2025 Bonsai Tonight · All rights reserved · Privacy · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can opt-out if you wish. Accept Decline Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT