ABS Learning Seminars
Workshops
Workshops are small group working events with experienced artists. Generally the workshop registration includes a tree (there are some exceptions, so read the workshop descriptions carefully for details). You will need to bring your own tools, turntable (if desired), and wire.
BYOT Workshops are also small group working events with experienced artists. In these events, you may bring in a tree of your own to obtain styling advice and assistance from an expert. You will need to bring your own tools, turntable, and wire for styling your bonsai.
Unless otherwise noted you will be required to bring your own wire and tools!
Eastern White Cedar
Mark Arpag
Sporting tight sprays of scale foliage reminiscent of Hinoki and often exhibiting spectacular deadwood features, Eastern White Cedar are one of the truly great native species for bonsai. These fantastic yamadori collected by Kris Springer are specimens anyone would be proud to have in their collection and will only improve with age. Eastern White Cedar master Mark Arpag will guide you toward designing a tree which will not only look good now, but will have an excellent plan for the future.
Registration $375
- Tree included in the price
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring tools and wire
Shohin Buttonwoods
Ed Trout
Buttonwoods can surprisingly make wonderful shohin bonsai, as their leaves are easily reduced. Additionally, they can easily be manipulated into almost any style of bonsai. These Buttonwoods were collected from the Florida Keys around 2 years ago. They are being reduced in early spring by Ed in South Florida, and will be allowed to grow out all Summer to allow for more design choices.
Registration $190
- Tree included in the price
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring tools and wire
Specimen Itoigawa Junipers
Bjorn Bjorholm
Join Bjorn to create an incredible specimen Itoigawa to add to your collection. Branch selection, carving, jin and shari creation, and wiring can all be discussed and implemented on these wonderful trees. Having Bjorn’s expertise will ensure that you are able to make the best start on a tree that will undoubtedly rise to become one of your most interesting bonsai.
Registration $550
- Tree included in the price
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring tools and wire
Rose Shohin
Shannon Salyer
Shannon is an expert in Shohin bonsai, and his pre bonsai roses will make gorgeous small trees. These are a very unusual species and will certainly be an awesome addition to your collection. Shannon will also instruct on future care and maintenance of these beauties.
Registration $190
- Tree included in the price
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring tools and wire
Colorado Blue Spruce
Todd Schlafer
In this workshop you will be able to select and design a collected Colorado Blue Spruce with Todd Schlafer- one of the best collectors and stylists of spruces in the US. Todd has made available an absolutely amazing selection of quality yamadori at a wide range of price points for this workshop. Participants will purchase a tree directly from Todd (range $500- $3000, payable directly to him). Todd will then assist participants in bringing out the best possible future for their yamadori.
Registration $100
- Tree NOT included in price (payable to Todd directly at the WS)
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring tools and wire
Twisted Junipers
Sergio Cuan
Enjoy a workshop with Sergio, 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 $300
- Tree included in the price
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring tools and wire
Hinoki Cypress
Hugo Zamora
Prized for its glorious dark green tight foliage, Hinoki Cypress make outstanding bonsai. These trees are field grown ‘nana gracilis’ cultivars, meaning their foliage is smaller and tighter. These trees were field grown and have tons of branches to choose and manipulate. Hugo will guide you to getting the most out of these fabulous pre-bonsai.
Registration $300
- Tree included in the price
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring tools and wire
Basic Wiring
John Romano
Not really certain how to correctly wire? Feel no shame!! Wiring is a basic skill that is very often not well mastered certainly for beginners and many intermediate bonsai hobbyists alike. This workshop will be an excellent opportunity to practice with aluminum wire on tree branches (provided) OR a tree if you wish to being one. Aluminum wire provided.
Registration $25
- 30 spots available
- Practice branches and aluminum wire provided
- Participants must bring their own wiring tools (Can bring a tree to wire if preferred)
Advanced Wiring
John Kirby
Take your bonsai skills to the next level! While basic wiring is, of course, essential to everyday bonsai creation, there are many techniques that can surpass the limits of ordinary wiring for altering the shape and position of branches and trunks. We will discuss, demonstrate, and practice a number of useful techniques.
Registration $25
- 30 spots available
- Practice branches and aluminum wire provided
- Participants must bring their own wiring tools
Bring Your Own Tree
Bjorn Bjorholm / Boonyarat Manakitivipart / Hugo Zamora
This is an unparalleled opportunity to first purchase the tree of your dreams at the vendors at the National and then begin the styling process with one of our three headlining artists!
Registration $125
- 8 spots available
- Participants must bring their own tree, tools, wire and turntable (if desired)
Shohin Imported Japanese Black Pine Workshop
Frank Mihalic
 What is considered the proper tree for the top of a shohin display?? A Black Pine, of course. In this workshop, Frank Mihalic will guide you toward creating a stellar JBP for the pinnacle of your display with these incredible specimens. The trunk and nebari are already well developed, now you finish the silhouette design with Frank to create your masterpiece!Registration $290
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