Joshua Roth / ABS New Talent Contest
Thank you for your interest in the ABS Learning Seminars – Joshua Roth New Talent Competition!
- This annual competition showcases the talents and aspirations of newer Bonsai practitioners in North America.
- To participate, you must have practiced bonsai for 10 years or less, live in North America, have at least 3 different bonsai trees in your portfolio (each exclusively designed and styled by you), and be able to attend the ABS Learning Seminars, “Bonsai in the Blue Ridge” in Asheville, North Carolina.
- All costs for registration, travel, and accommodations are your responsibility.
To apply, complete the online application form and submit photos of your bonsai work.
- All portfolio work should show only your own designs. While not required, before-and-after images can better illustrate your work.
- In the application section, upload your bonsai photos. You may submit a PDF with pictures and descriptions or a ZIP file. Clearly label each tree in your files.
The JRNTC Selection Committee will review all applicant entries and will notify selected participants by email.
We confirm your participation only after you register for “Bonsai in the Blue Ridge”.
How does the competition work?
The competition will be held at the Education Center in the North Carolina Arboretum, in Asheville, NC, on Thursday, June 4th, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5 PM.
Contest Rules:
- Artists selected and registered will be randomly assigned a tree to design, with the full day to complete their work. No details about species or size are given in advance.
- Artists are asked to not request or receive advice about designing or performing your work on the tree during the competition.
- Bring your own tools, wire, and anything else you want to use in the competition.
We will announce the winner at the Saturday night banquet on June 6th.
Artists may buy their tree at cost after the event. The remaining trees will be auctioned on Saturday.
Trees will remain on display until the exhibition ends at noon on Sunday, June 7th.
Eligibility Requirements
Any person living in North America is eligible if they have been involved with bonsai for fewer than 10 years. Past winners are ineligible, and no individual may participate more than twice. If entering a second time, there is no need to resubmit the tree pictures.
Stage One
Each new contestant must complete the online application form and upload photographs of three bonsai they have personally styled with their application. More than one picture of each bonsai is preferred. The photographs do not need to be publication-quality, but should show the artist’s talent as well as possible. A brief description and history of each bonsai should be included.
Stage Two
Each contestant shall:
- Pay their own expenses to register for the Learning Seminar and attend the contest.
- Be provided with pre-bonsai material by the contest organizers. (Special effort will be made to ensure that all of the trees are of similar size and quality.)
- Furnish their own tools, wire, supplies, and turntable. Power tools are permitted.
- Have from 9 AM until 5 PM to work on their tree.
- Have the option to purchase their tree after it is displayed and judged. Trees not purchased will remain the property of ABS and will be sold at auction. Contestants may not receive advice about their work on trees. They will not repot their trees during the contest.
Judging
Three appointed bonsai artists will judge the completed bonsai. The contestant whose bonsai receives the most points will be the winner. The results will be announced at the banquet on Saturday night. The winner will receive a $1000 gift certificate, good for any Joshua Roth tools, with 2nd place receiving a $500 gift certificate and 3rd place receiving a $250 gift certificate.