Atlanta Bonsai Society – Big Dreams, Small Trees

Annual Exhibition at Atlanta Botanical Gardens in March

The club will host our annual bonsai exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens on the 18^th and 19^th of March, with set up on the afternoon of the 17^th. This is one of the club’s biggest events for the year, an excellent chance to see wonderful bonsai in Atlanta, and to visit the Botanical Gardens.

Once again we will be in Day Hall, at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, as we have been in past years.

We’re sticking with last year’s updates to the awards categories, and member-based judging. The awards encompass a variety of experience levels and different interests across the bonsai world, with the goal or rewarding a broad range of interests. Member-based judging creates far greater engagement with the exhibition while helping everyone to develop a critical framework for what makes a great bonsai. We will use our smartphone-based tool for judging once again.

One big addition to this year’s schedule is three member guided tours of the exhibition, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday. If you are interested in leading one of these tours, we will have a link for you to sign up available soon.

We want everyone; the novice, the intermediate practitioner, and the experienced hand, to attend, show your trees, spend time with our community and learn from our guest artist. If you haven’t spent much time at bonsai shows, they are less about the competition and much more about the social aspect of our shared hobby. It is a great chance to get to know folks!

This year’s guest artist is Tyler Sherrod, of Dogwood Studios, from Hickory North Carolina. Tyler was introduced to Bonsai when he worked at the Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Working at the Bonsai Learning Center he attended several workshops with Boon Manakitivipart of Bonsai Boon in the Bay area. Boon assisted Tyler in gaining an apprenticeship with Shinji Suzuki in Obuse, Japan. Tyler left North Carolina and began his apprenticeship with Mr. Suzuki in 2011. Tyler’s apprenticeship lasted for five years. In the Spring of 2016, Tyler received his professional certification from the Nippon Bonsai Association. Working under Mr. Suzuki, he was responsible for refining trees and preparing them to be entered in Japan’s top bonsai competitions which included Kokufu-ten, Taikan-ten, and Sakafu-Ten, where several of the trees won top prizes.

Tyler will serve as advisor for setting the exhibition, lead a discussion of how to judge the show, guide a tour, perform a critique, do a demonstration on Saturday afternoon and lead a workshop on Sunday. This will be Tyler’s third “turn at the wheel” for our show and we feel the club benefits from the consistency of having the same artist set, critique and help manage the show for the past several years.

This year’s show will be divided into three categories: Novices, Intermediate Practitioners and Experienced Exhibitors. Novices are encouraged to bring a tree in a bonsai pot and we will help you get prepared for the show on the afternoon of the 17^th, Intermediate and Experienced exhibitors are requested to bring a traditional bonsai display, consisting of bonsai, stand, and an accent. Only those who enter the exhibition as novices or intermediates are eligible for those awards, while all entrants are eligible for the “best of” categories.

Prizes will be awarded for:

Best In Show (the strongest overall tree in the exhibition)
People’s Choice (taken by popular vote, including casual visitors to the show)
Best Shohin Bonsai Display (the strongest, most detailed, properly presented, formal shohin display)
Best Conifer Bonsai (the best developed and most aged in appearance conifer, including broadleaf evergreens)
Best Deciduous Bonsai (the best developed and most aged in appearance deciduous tree)
Novice 1^st Place (the best developed novice tree with the most potential)
Novice Honorable Mention
Intermediate First Place (the best developed intermediate tree with the most potential)
Intermediate Honorable Mention
Best Suiseki Display (the most evocative and thoughtful suiseki display)

As always, we are seeking volunteers for set up, staffing the club table during the show, and breaking the show down. Please reach out to a board member if you wish to volunteer, as we need your help!

We are excited to have a number of vendors lined up for this year’s show. They include:

Dave Gutman, Pot4Fun: Pottery and Plants

Paul Joe: Bonsai Trees

Ryan Stoyer: Bonsai Pottery, Teaware and loose leaf teas

Mike Brawley: Bonsai Trees and Pots

Hubert Jones: Bonsai Trees and Pots

Shannon Salyer: Bonsai Trees and Pots

Show Schedule:

Friday March 17th Set Up:

1:00pm: Set up volunteers to arrive to arrange tables, backdrops and lights

4:30pm – 7:00pm: Trees and Stands to be dropped off by exhibiting members

7:00pm: Exhibition Room closes for the day

7:00 – 8:00pm: Final arrangement of the show by the guest artist

Saturday March the 18th:

9:00am: Gardens Open

10:00am – 11:00am: Discussion on Judging Criteria lead by Tyler Sherrod

11:00 – 12:00 Guest Artist Tyler Sherrod to lead a tour of the show

2:00 – 4:00pm: Demonstration by Tyler Sherrod

4:30pm Member Led Tour

6:00pm Show closes

7:00pm Informal Banquet at Dim Sum Heaven on Buford Highway (all are welcome)

Sunday March the 19th

9:00am: Gardens Opens

10:00 – 12:00pm “Coffee and Bonsai” Informative Critique and tour of the exhibition led Tyler Sherrod

1:30– 4:30 Bonsai Workshop with guest artist

3:00pm Member Led Tour

5:00pm: Raffle of Demonstration Tree

6:00pm Breakdown and Clean Up

Admission to the Gardens is free for club members during the weekend of the show only, although you will have to pay for your parking.

Link for show judging:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4KeT17ALOJZIJSL4nIIaDq43Wp_o2C6eIPqymVRvAQaRA6w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please register your tree for the show here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4fabab2ea4fc1-tree#/

If you would like to volenteer for the show please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4fabab2ea4fc1-atlanta#/

If you wish to register for the Sunday workshop, with our guest artist please do so here:

We look forward to seeing everyone at the show! We hope everyone will come out, enjoy some time looking at the show, enjoy the events and take pleasure in each other’s company.

Japan Arts Festival April 1st

Have a tree all dressed up with no where to go? Join your fellow club members at the Japan Arts Festival at the GSU Perimeter College on April 1st from 11:00am to 3:00pm sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Georgia. We’ll have an exhibit of fine bonsai and members on hand to discuss bonsai with the attendees. https://www.jasgeorgia.org/event-5127603

Beginner’s Event April 12th

The Club is thrilled to continue our “bonsai beginners” series in 2023. We will continue last year’s well received seminars, the only change being that we have added some additional dates in 2023. The seminars will be held on the second Wednesday night most months, from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the Callanwolde Conservatory.

The seminar will be taught by Rodney Clemons, of Allgood Bonsai. Rodney is one of Atlanta’s longest standing bonsai professionals, a nationally recognized speaker and lecturer and just a downright funny guy. Check out Rodney’s website here: https://www.allgoodbonsai.com/

There are two parts of each one of our beginner’s sessions: A discussion of the seasonal maintenance important to the time of year and a one by one, tree driven question an answer session. Each participant is encouraged to bring a tree or two from their collection and Rodney will coach the owner on the best course of action for that particular plant. This tends to result in a great back and forth as Rodney works on each tree with the owner and the group’s input.

Each Seminar will have a ten-person limit for those who wish to bring a tree and have Rodney, critique, comment and work that plant. If the seminar is sold out, you are welcome to attend without a ticket, but we cannot guarantee Rodney will be able to address your plant material during the seminar.

Shannon Salyer on Shohin April 22nd

On April 22nd, at 10:00am we welcome Shannon Salyer to Atlanta for a lecture on the proper development and construction of shohin bonsai, the rather different world of truly miniature trees. Shohin literally means “a small thing” and trees of this size are generally 8 inches tall or under. We will be meeting at the Retreat at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center once more. Shannon most recently won the best shohin award at the Winter Silhouette show in Kannapolis, NC in December of 2022.

Beginner’s Question and Answer Session from 9:00 – 10:00am

Club Meeting with Shannon from 10:00 – 12:00pm

Lunch around noontime

Workshop for up to eight persons from 1:00 – 4:30pm at a cost of $75.00 per person. Bring your own tree and get Shannon’s advice on what to do next.

Beginners Event on May 10th

The Bonsai Yard Sale is BACK on May 13th

Our popular event, the “bonsai yard sale” returns on May 13th! Once again we will be in the parking lot of the Ormewood Church Fellow Ship hall at 1071 Delaware Ave SE, Atlanta GA 30316. This is a casual, fun event. Any member is welcome to sell their wares for a $25.00 donation to the club, and all are welcome to come, shop and socialize. We’ll bring the grill and cook lunch for everyone to boot!

Kusamono “into the woods” with Young Choe and John Godfrey in May

Join us on Saturday May 20th for a very, very special day in the woods at the home of John Godfrey. Young Choe will lead us into the woods, where for our morning meeting, she will collect wild plants that live together in the forest ecosystem and create a kusamono in the wild. This will be a very special morning! Wear your outdoor clothing and be prepared for a 1/3 mile walk up and downhill into the woods. As an added bonus, you will get a chance to shop John’s super collection of bonsai material, which he personally collects and nurtures.

Club Meeting 9:00am – 12:00pm

“Brown Bag It” Today is the day to bring your own lunch!

Afternoon workshop is for eight persons, at a cost of $100 per person. Plants will be collected on the spot in the wild, Young’s preferred Kusamono mix will be provided and she will help you build your creations in the wild. Please bring your own pottery. We will have a vehicle on site to help everyone “pack out” their creations.

This event is weather permitting, and may be pushed to Sunday if the Saturday that weekend is forecast for heavy rains.

Pine Tree Seasonal work with Tyler Sherrod in June

Join regular club guest artist Tyler Sherrod of Dogwood Studios for a course on seasonal work with pine trees, including decandling and needle pulling for multi-flush pine trees. This work is essential, especially with Japanese Black Pines, if you want to achieve the reduction in needle size and an increase in ramification. We will meet at 10:00am on June 24th at the Retreat at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center for our meeting and workshop.

9:00am – 10:00am Beginner’s Q&A

10:00 – 12:00pm Lecture and Club Meeting

12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch provided around noontime

1:00 – 4:30pm Bring your own tree workshop for eight persons at a cost of $75.00 per person. The club will provide aluminum wire and Tyler will be on hand to help you move your tree forward.

Beginner’s Event on July 12th

Tropicals in July with The Bonsai Supply

Jerome Kellerhaus with lead our club in a presentation on how to maintain and style your tropical bonsai on the 22nd of July, the perfect moment for working on your tropical trees. We will meet at the Retreat at Callanwolde at 9:00am for our beginner’s session and the regular club meeting at 10:00am that day. Bring your own tree workshop in the afternoon should you need a little extra help.

9:00am – 10:00am Beginner’s Q&A

10:00am – 12:00pm Tropicals Presentation and Club Meeting

12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch provided around noontime

1:00 – 4:30pm Bring your own tree workshop for up to eight persons at a cost of $75.00 per person.

Annual Auction in August!

Please join the club for our biggest fund raiser of the year in August, at Ahler’s Auction House on the West Side. The auction will be held on August the 19th, and we will post a full auction schedule and guidelines later on in 2023.

Beginner’s Event on September 13th

September JapanFest Exhibition at Gas South Convention Center

While the details are still all being finalized, the club is planning on a two day exhibition of fine bonsai at the Japanfest 2023, to be held at the Gas South Convention Center… More details to come as we work with the festival organizers.

October Club Meeting

October Club Meeting to be held at the Retreat at Callanwolde, on October 28st. 9:00am for the beginner’s Q&A, 10:00am for the club meeting and 12:00 for lunch! Featuring the one, the only Rodney Clemmons!

Beginner’s Event on November 8th

November Decidious Seasonal Work with Sergio Cuan

Join respected Bonsai Artist Sergio Cuan, to focus on the essential work of moving your decidious treess forward in the fall. We will meet at the Retreat at Callanwolde at 9:00am for our Beginner’s Q&A, 10:00am for our club meeting and presentation, and then have a workshop in the afternoon.

9:00 – 10:00 Beginner’s Q&A

10:00 – 12:00pm Presentation on Fall Decidious Work

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch will be provided around noontime

1:00 – 4:30pm Bring your own tree workshop for up to eight persons at a cost of $75.00 per person.

December 2023 Holiday Party

Details to be confirmed, but let’s all plan on having a holiday lunch together, elections should we need to have them, and our annual club meeting and send off to the year! December 16th, from 11:00 – 3:00pm.

Past Events in 2021

January 16th, 2021
Sami Amdouni – Potter – Virtual 4-6pm

February 20th, 2021
Tyler Sherrod – Grafting and Potting – Virtual 10-noon

March 20th, 2021
Jonas Dupuich – Strategies for Long-term Development of Quality Bonsai – Virtual 1-3pm

April 17th, 2021
Eli Akins of Waldo Street Pottery & Russell Baggett Talk Yamadori – Virtual – 10am-Noon

May 15th, 2021
Rodney Clemons – Air Layering Demo – Virtual 10-noon

June 19th, 2021
Adair – Workshop on Pine Decandling
10am to Noon – Workshop On-Site – SIGN UP IS REQUIRED AND LIMITED!
1:00-3:00pm – Adair Garden Tour – On-Site & Virtual – free to all members

July 17th, 2021
Kusamono with Young Choe at Callenwolde Fine Arts Center Retreat House

980 Briarcliff Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
10:00am to Noon – Demonstration
1:00-4:30pm – Workshop – SIGN UP REQUIRED AND LIMITED

August 21st, 2021
Club Auction & Fundraiser
Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery
10:00am – 12 noon Check In for Sellers
1:00-4:00pm for Auction

Atlanta Bonsai Society Annual Exhibtion at the Atlanta Botanic Gardens located in Day Hall. Admission to the gardens is free with your ABS membership. This is a great opporuntiy to display a tree, view bonsai from collections around our area and enjoy the Botanic Gardens.

Thurday 10/7/2021 Set up and tree drop off from 4:30pm until 7:00pm. Please go to the “back gate” of the gardens off Piedmont Road, if you need to drive in with a tree.

Friday 10/8/2021 from 9:00am – 7:00pm

Judging 9:15 – 10:00am

Educational Walk Through and Critique 10:00am – 12:00pm

Bonsai Demonstration 2:00pm – 4:30pm

Informal Banquet 7:30pm at Dim Sum Heaven on Buford Highway

Saturday 10/9/2021 from 9:00 – 6:00pm

EducationalWalk Through and Critique 10:00am – 12:00pm

September 18th, 2021
Field trip to John Godfrey’s to talk about collecting local species. Address will be provided via email to members.

October 8th-9th – Club Exhibition
On October 8^th -9^th the club will host our annual Bonsai Exhibition in the Day Hall of the Atlanta Botanic Gardens. Set up will be the afternoon and evening of the 7^th. Our guest artist for this year’s exhibition will be Tyler Sherrod of Dogwood Studios.

Styling: Rodney Clemons Pot: Gary Allumbaugh also with The Bonsai Study Group at Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Annual Club Events

The club has planned calendar of events each year. Each Spring the club will sponsor an annual bonasi exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. In late Summer the club hosts an auction fundraiser each year. This is the club’s primary fundraiser. All proceeds go directly back into the club to support our monthly activities. For the remaining months of the year the club focuses each month on a seasonally appropriate topic, usually presented by a professioanl bonsai artist. Past Topics have included: Repotting techniques, how to judge a bonsai exhibition, how to care for tropical bonsai, accent plants and moss balls, seasonal work for pines, seasonal work for junipers and fall seasonal work for decidious trees.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens – Styling: Rodney Clemons Photo: Matt Defrain

Bonsai Workshops

We offer novice workshops led by a local bonsai professional and advanced workshops led by various guest artists. Since bonsai have needs based on the calendar our workshops are seasonal in nature.

Depending on artist demand, we may have more than one workshop session per weekend, so check the events page for times as the monthly meeting approaches. Please remain flexible with whether you can take morning or afternoon workshop. The cost of each workshop session is currently $75 for at least 3 hours, unless we are including tree or other materials, which may be extra. The club will provide wire to use at workshops and meetings; everything else you may need should be brought by workshop participant, including tree and tools.

Recent Guest Artists

Young Choe
Rodney Clemons
Adam Jones
Kenji Miyata
Kathy Shaner
Tyler Sherrod
Jerome Kellerhals
Sergio Cuan
Eli Akins

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