ABS Learning Seminars
Workshops
Embark on a journey of artistic cultivation and horticultural mastery with our exclusive workshops designed for bonsai enthusiasts of all levels.
Our workshops are crafted to provide hands-on experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of bonsai techniques, design principles, and the delicate balance between nature and artistry. Whether you’re a seasoned bonsai practitioner or a curious beginner, our expert instructors are dedicated to guiding you through the intricacies of this ancient art form.
Visit our registrations site to reserve your seat today!
Unless otherwise noted you will be required to bring your own wire and tools!
Mother's Day Special
Scott Zomerieli, instructor
Beginners bonsai package for two: includes entry to Frederick Meijer Gardens for 2, a tram tour of the Meijer Gardens, 1 bonsai tree, pot, soil, wire, and instructions on how to create and care for your own bonsai (2nd tree optional).
Registration $125
10 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Creating a Dawn Redwood Forest
Kurt Smith, instructor
Create your own 7-tree dawn redwood forest. Each attendee gets 7 trees, a 17” plastic spring hollow pot, wire and soil. The class will cover layout and designs of forest plantings. We will also cover the care needed to grow a dawn redwood forest.
Registration $180
10 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
Shohin Junipers
Jack Sustic, instructor
Participate in a shohin juniper workshop with 6-year old Itoigawa Junipers.
Registration $175
10 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Kotohime Japanese Maple
Hugo Zamora, instructor
Work with master Hugo Zamora on one of these mature Kotohime maples. These trees are prized for their tiny leaves and will make a great deciduous specimen.
Registration $350
8 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Find the Tree in the Tree: Drawing the Plan
Mark Fields, instructor
Participants will receive a one-gallon Itoigawa Juniper. The trunk has already been curved.
Drawing paper and pencils will be provided. You will learn how to look at the stock tree, draw the trunk line, then add the branches in the appropriate position. Foliage pads will be added as well as future plans for the correct pot. After drawing the tree, you will wire the tree and position the branches as you drew it.
Registration $200
8 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Twisted Black Pines
Suthin Sukosolvisit, instructor
Enjoy a workshop with Suthin, where you will work on learning the techniques to take some amazing twisted Japanese Black Pines (Approx 5-7 years old) to their next steps of development. Determine the plan, learn how to see the tree’s future, and set it up for success when you learn the secret of understanding what is important to that plan and what is only contributing to fulfilling your vision.
Registration $350
8 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
"Bonsai with Soul” - Bring your own tree
Hugo Zamora, instructor
Hugo’s mix of styles, tree varieties, schools, techniques, philosophies and cultural combinations make his work very versatile with a unique viewpoint on bonsai. His experiences from around the world allow Hugo to travel the earth teaching “Bonsai with Soul”.
Registration $125
8 spots available. Bring your own tree.
Required Materials
• Bring your own tree
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Michigan Yamadori
Matt Spinniken, instructor
Don’t miss the opportunity to get your hands on rare Yamadori from right here in Michigan! In this workshop, you will work alongside Matt on one of 7 high quality Thuja occidentalis (White Cedar) Yamadori. You will learn the first steps and consideration when doing a first styling on collected material. Matt will also share his knowledge about important ongoing care practices after the first styling along with specific White Cedar pruning and care techniques.
Registration $100 + tree
Select your own tree at the workshop – tree prices range from $200-$800.
7 spots available.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Mother's Day Special
Steve Jetzer, instructor
Beginners bonsai package for two: includes entry to and a tram tour of Frederick Meijer Gardens for 2, 1 bonsai tree, pot, soil, wire, and instructions on how to create and care for your own bonsai (2nd tree optional).
Registration $125
10 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Bring Your Own Tree
Jack Sustic, instructor
Bring your own tree to this workshop and receive instruction from Jack Sustic on how to progress the tree’s aesthetic and identify a path for its future.
Registration $100
8 spots available. Bring your own tree.
Required Materials
• Bring your own tree
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Twisted Itoigawa
Suthin Sukosolvisit, instructor
Enjoy a workshop with Suthin, where you will work on learning the techniques to take some amazing twisted Itoigawa Juniper on their next steps of development. Determine the plan, learn how to see the tree’s future, and set it up for success when you learn the secret of understanding what is important to that plan and what best contributes to fulfilling your vision.
Registration $375
8 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Spruce Bonsai
Bill Valavanis, instructor
Discover the world and various cultivars of Spruce trained for bonsai. Care, maintenance and training Spruce bonsai will be discussed. Dense, bushy Little Gem Dwarf Spruce established in 1 gal. pots will be cleaned, pruned, wired and shaped. No transplanting during the workshop.
Registration $170
10 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
"Bonsai with Soul” - Bring your own tree
Hugo Zamora, instructor
Hugo’s mix of styles, tree varieties, schools, techniques, philosophies and cultural combinations make his work very versatile with a unique viewpoint on bonsai. His experiences from around the world allow Hugo to travel the earth teaching “Bonsai with Soul”.
Registration $125.
8 spots available. Bring your own tree.
Required Materials
• Bring your own tree
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Scroll Painting
Kristy Majeske, instructor
TAKE HOME your own finished, mounted scroll ready to hang! No artistic skill required!
This beginner class will teach you basic strokes for BAMBOO, the first lesson of the ” 4 Gentlemen” and variety of insects perfect for bonsai display. If time permits we will add ORCHID, the second lesson.
You will learn about traditional materials and preparation, learn/practice brush strokes to create muscle memory, use different qualities of paper, and create a composition of your own to paint directly on a pre-mounted scroll. Yes! You will go home with a finished piece ready to hang at home or with your bonsai display!
You will also go home with a beginner’s painting kit, all the supplies needed to continue to paint at home and handouts on Japanese symbolism. (Consider the Learning Path on Scroll Paintings- Choice and Display. These two courses will round out you’re understanding or Japanese scrolls and how they combine with bonsai, and you will design around your bonsai). The workshop fee covers in class materials, optionally purchase all your supplies to keep.
Registration $150
12 spots available.
Japanese Black Pines
Rob Hoffman, instructor
This workshop we will go over the care and maintenance of black pines. We encourage everyone to bring something to take notes with given the plethora of information from Rob! Bring your own tools and wire so we can transform the trees and begin with a well thought out structure.
Registration $250
10 spots available. Tree included in the registration price.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
Old Shimpaku Junipers
Ken Huth, instructor
Create a stunning bonsai with one of several old Shimpaku junipers. Approximately 19″ Tall & 1 & 3/4″ thick Trunks.
Registration $100 + tree
8 spots available.
Select your own tree – prices range from $125-$250.
Required Materials
• Bonsai tools
• Wire
