ABS Learning Seminars in association with the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition, Rochester, NY, USA, September 12-13, 2025

[markyscott]

Save the date. What better way to celebrate the tremendously successful US National Bonsai Exhibition than to make it even MORE awesome! The 2025 ABS Learning Seminars will be in Rochester at the official hotel for the US National Bonsai Exhibition and will be held all day Friday and Saturday. Join us on Friday, then beat the crowds on Saturday, and enjoy the US National Show on Sunday for a perfect weekend of bonsai!

 

[markyscott]

THE 2025 ABS LEARNING SEMINARS AND THE 9th US NATIONAL BONSAI EXHIBITION

The AMERICAN BONSAI SOCIETY celebrates the 9th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. What an ambitious project undertaken by Bill Valavanis and the International Bonsai Arboretum! After nearly two decades of bonsai excellence, we can look back and understand the breadth of Bill’s achievement. During that time, we have seen tremendous growth in the interest and quality of bonsai in North America. The biennial US National Exhibition, along with the annual ABS Learning Seminars, have both played a major role in that. What better way to celebrate this than to hold an ABS seminar WITH the National Exhibition. We are so excited to welcome you to this very special event!

What’s different about this? There’s no bonsai exhibition for one - that’s at the US National Exhibition. And there are no vendors - they’re at the US National Exhibition as well. But we WILL have a great selection of workshops and seminars of the same high quality that you’ve come to expect of the ABS Learning Seminars. We have an amazing selection of artists who have traveled from all over the world to be your teachers, and we’re bringing in high-quality workshop material from across the country. We will use the occasion to launch the first ABS NORTH AMERICAN BONSAI POTTERY COMPETITION. This juried and judged event will feature the best work of the best bonsai potters in North America, and they’ll be competing head-to-head. Who will have bragging rights until the next competition? Come to the 2025 ABS Learning Seminars to find out. We will also have the JOSHUA ROTH NEW TALENT COMPETITION. For years ABS has partnered with Joshua Roth to highlight some of the best emerging talent in the country in a styling competition and this year is no exception. Encourage the bright new artists in your club to join in and cheer them on!

So if you plan on coming to the US National Bonsai Exhibition, here’s a way to make your trip even MORE rewarding. Come to the ABS Learning Seminars at the official hotel of the US National Bonsai Exhibition and take in some workshops and seminars on the Friday before the exhibition begins. Are you looking for something else to do instead of waiting in line on Saturday morning? We have some of the best artists in North America giving private styling demonstrations on amazing material. Beat the crowds, take in one of our great private demos, and then head to the national exhibition in the afternoon after the crowds have died down. Did you pick up a new tree for your collection on Saturday morning? Why not bring it to one of our Bring-Your-Own Tree workshops on Saturday afternoon to turn it into a masterpiece. Interested in pottery? Join us on Saturday for the ABS NORTH AMERICAN BONSAI POTTERY COMPETITION to see some wonderful work by the best potters in North America.

Registration opens in early March for this very special event. We have pushed ourselves to provide something for everyone - from beginners to experienced artists. We have diligently labored to keep our quality high and our costs low. We have striven to create something very special in recognition of the important role that the US NATIONAL BONSAI EXHIBITION and the ABS LEARNING SEMINARS have played in growing the art of bonsai in North America. Celebrate with us and make this collaboration a success!!

 

[Nybonsai12]

Some great names on that list of artists! Thanks for sharing.

 

[ForrestW]

Looking forward to it!!!

 

[Wendy Likly Welch]

Save the date. What better way to celebrate the tremendously successful US National Bonsai Exhibition than to make it even MORE awesome! The 2025 ABS Learning Seminars will be in Rochester at the official hotel for the US National Bonsai Exhibition and will be held all day Friday and Saturday. Join us on Friday, then beat the crowds on Saturday, and enjoy the US National Show on Sunday for a perfect weekend of bonsai!

View attachment 573069

My home town!!! My instructor is Bill V. ! I'm so excited to attend EVERYTHING lol!

 

[markyscott]

Join us at the 9th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition this September and, while your there, consider attending the ABS Learning Seminars. A unique opportunity to learn from some of the best bonsai artists and experts in the country! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these seminars offer hands-on learning, expert demonstrations, and invaluable insights to elevate your bonsai journey.

Registration opens this Friday at 9 PM EST! Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible experience.
Follow the link below to see all of the details, and get ready to secure your spot!

ABS Learning Seminars

ABS Learning Seminars ABS Learning Seminars Artist Bios Accommodations Venue Seminars Workshops Critiques Private Demonstrations New Talent Contest Pottery Competition Schedule ABS Learning Seminar…

www.americanbonsaisociety.org

 

[ForrestW]

Join us at the 9th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition this September and, while your there, consider attending the ABS Learning Seminars. A unique opportunity to learn from some of the best bonsai artists and experts in the country! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these seminars offer hands-on learning, expert demonstrations, and invaluable insights to elevate your bonsai journey.

Registration opens this Friday at 9 PM EST! Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible experience.
Follow the link below to see all of the details, and get ready to secure your spot!

ABS Learning Seminars

ABS Learning Seminars ABS Learning Seminars Artist Bios Accommodations Venue Seminars Workshops Critiques Private Demonstrations New Talent Contest Pottery Competition Schedule ABS Learning Seminar…

www.americanbonsaisociety.org

does anyone know if there is anywhere we can see the workshop material before signing up?

 

[markyscott]

does anyone know if there is anywhere we can see the workshop material before signing up?

That’s an oversight. I just spoke with our webmaster and he’ll get the pictures for the workshops posted today.

 

[markyscott]

does anyone know if there is anywhere we can see the workshop material before signing up?

Images of the workshop trees are posted!

- S

 

[ForrestW]

Images of the workshop trees are posted!

- S

Thank you very much

 

[OrenjiIroNoNeko]

Some great names on that list of artists! Thanks for sharing.

Including some active contributors here.

 

[markyscott]

Registration is live! We’re very excited to be holding a Learning Seminars Event in association the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition. I have to admit to a bit of hand-wringing when we initially conceptualized the event and approached @William N. Valavanis for his feedback and advice. We have never held an associated event like this before!! But Bill was so gracious and supportive and there were so many amazing artists and energetic volunteers that gave generously of their time, that we decided to roll up our shirt sleeves and make this happen. We couldn’t be more excited to see this finally come into fruition. In addition to the high quality workshops and seminars you’ve come to expect from the ABS Learning Seminars, we’ve innovated, introducing Private Demos - kind of a bonsai “theater in the round” and featuring an amazing bonsai artist in a small, limited seating venue. We’ve created special events, staging the first ABS North American Bonsai Pottery Contest showcasing some of the best bonsai potters in North America. We’ve tried to offer something for everyone, from the beginners learning the basics to the experienced hobbyist seeking to expand their skill set. And we’ve tried to make this as affordable as possible - we want everyone to have a chance to learn.

So come to the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition and enjoy some of the best bonsai and vendors in North America on Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th.

7th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

The world bonsai community will once again be enriched by the display of bonsai gathered from across the United States at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, September 11-12, 2021 in Rochester, NY.

www.usnationalbonsai.com

To make your visit even MORE special, join us at the ABS Learning Seminars held at the official hotel for the US National Exhibition (DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester) on Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th. See you there!!!

ABS Learning Seminars

ABS Learning Seminars ABS Learning Seminars Artist Bios Accommodations Venue Seminars Workshops Critiques Private Demonstrations New Talent Contest Pottery Competition Schedule ABS Learning Seminar…

www.americanbonsaisociety.org

Remember - registrations for these events are separate, so make sure you get your spot at BOTH the US National Exhibition and the ABS Learning Seminar using the links above. See you there!!!!

 

[Sansokuu]

Just an fyi, only ten rooms are left in the main hotel group rate block (International bonsai or bonsai international, bonsai something lol is the group code) at $139/night.

 

[markyscott]

We’re holding a special event for the bonsai potters at the 2025 ABS Learning Seminars in Rochester. The first ABS North American Bonsai Pottery Competition!! Some of the best potters in North America will be entering some of their best pots in the spirit of friendly competition this juried and judged event. If you’re a potter, consider participating. If you’re a pottery fan, this will be a ton of fun.

ABS Learning Seminars

ABS Learning Seminars ABS Learning Seminars Artist Bios Accommodations Venue Seminars Workshops Critiques Private Demonstrations New Talent Contest Pottery Competition Schedule ABS Learning Seminar…

www.americanbonsaisociety.org

Scott

 

[markyscott]

Just an fyi, only ten rooms are left in the main hotel group rate block (International bonsai or bonsai international, bonsai something lol is the group code) at $139/night.

Remember that @William N. Valavanis has rooms blocked at the same hotel as well. Visit Bill’s site to get the accommodation information and register to attend the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition. Remember that the Learning Seminars and the National Exhibition associated, but are separate events in terms of registration.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

For those of you who are planning to attend the ABS Learning Seminars in Rochester, we have a something new for you. At this event, we have a suite of “Private Demos”. These are a sort of a bonsai version of a “theater in the round”. Tired of those giant demonstration events where you’re miles away from the artist and can’t see or hear a thing? In a Private Demo, seating is limited to 20 people, so you’ll be sure to have an up-front seat as our talented artists apply their considerable skills toward work on complicated material. What’s more, after the demo, the tree will be auctioned to the audience and you’ll be one of a select few in on the bidding! Here’s a photograph of the first time we held one of these events at the ABS Learning Seminars in Houston in 2019.

 

[markyscott]

The demo trees themselves are really exciting:

#1: Bjorn restores an old, imported Japanese White Pine
When imported many years ago, this massive Japanese White Pine was a spectacular bonsai. Through its decades living in the US, it has graced the benches of several major North American collections. Due to an illness however, it’s maintenance has been neglected of late and it has lost some of its former luster, presenting an interesting challenge for Bjorn. Register early to grab an up front seat to see and hear how Bjorn plans to restore this spectacular tree to its glory days. After the demo, the tree will be auctioned to the audience and one lucky attendee will walk out with a spectacular specimen Japanese White Pine to add to their collection!


#2: Bonsai Boon performs the initial styling of a massive, field-grown Itoigawa shimpaku
Field grown Itoigawa thicken rapidly and this specimen has been in the ground under the care of a skilled grower for decades. This is a massive tree with a gnarly trunk with great movement and many design possibilities. Join Boon, one of the premier bonsai artists in the US, as he shares his impressions and the thinking behind his styling decisions as he carries out the initial design of this fantastic specimen tree. Spaces will go quickly for this important event, so grab your seat early! After the demo, the tree will be auctioned to the audience and one lucky attendee will walk out with a spectacular specimen Itoigawa for their collection!


#3: Hugo rebuilds an old, field-grown Scots Pine Bonsai
This tremendous Scots Pine has a 9” base and was field grown for bonsai many decades ago. Styled over 30 years ago, it has been in a major North American bonsai collection for decades. Although its maintenance has been somewhat neglected of late, it remains a beautiful bonsai with a fantastic structure and dense ramification. Watch the extremely talented Hugo Zamora make major styling decisions to this very old specimen bonsai as he restores its former luster. Be sure to grab an up front seat for this one, you won’t want to miss this amazing transformation! After the demo, the tree will be auctioned to the audience and one lucky attendee will walk out with a spectacular specimen Scots Pine to add to their collection!



Scott

 

[pandacular]

I plan to attend, but as I'm flying from Seattle, I wonder if all/most the workshops will be based on working on material for purchase. This may limit my options, and I'd honestly rather not work on my own material due to the travel.

 

[markyscott]

I plan to attend, but as I'm flying from Seattle, I wonder if all/most the workshops will be based on working on material for purchase. This may limit my options, and I'd honestly rather not work on my own material due to the travel.

Hey! I was just in Seattle last weekend! Honestly I don’t remember May being that nice - I mostly remember 40 degrees and raining until July. Maybe I was traumatized, lol.

There are lots of things other than working on trees going on at the Learning Seminar. There is a full slate of seminars and demos in addition to the workshops. There are also a few Shohin workshops that you might be interested in - those can come home as carry on. Have a look at the schedule and let me know if you have any questions.

- S

 

[pandacular]

Ah didn’t realize that the schedule was posted—thanks Scott!

I’ll definitely be attending, actually just booked my hotel. Probably will focus on demos and lectures, though as you mention a shohin workshop could be fun.

ABS Learning Seminars – Schedule

ABS Learning Seminars Events Schedule ABS Learning Seminars Artist Bios Accommodations Venue Seminars Workshops Critiques Private Demonstrations New Talent Contest Pottery Competition Schedule ABS …

www.americanbonsaisociety.org