Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition - August 19-21

July 03, 2016

The 39th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition returns to the Chicago Botanic Garden this August 19-21st. Our webpage is live, including the schedule of events, workshops, and the bio of our Guest Master, Colin Lewis.

We look forward to seeing you during the Exhibition!

News and Updates

Midwest Bonsai Society's News and Updates about the site.

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Chicago Chapter Meeting Schedule for 2025

about 2 days ago

Due to Garfield Park Conservatory scheduling issues, the Chicago Bonsai Club, a chapter of the Midwest Bonsai Society, will be held on the 3rd Monday of every month, beginning March 17 at 6 p.m.

There will be senior members available to answer your questions and provide assistance, so bring a tree to work on.

More details are available on our Chicago Chapter page.

2025 General Meeting Agendas Released!

about 5 days ago

The MBS board is happy to announce the full agenda of all 2025 General Society Meetings. We’re excited to invite a number of talented bonsai artists to our meetings this year, interspersed with hands-on events where you can participate with other members to create bonsai.

Details on each meeting are available on our Meetings page - please keep an eye here for any last-minute changes as each meeting gets closer.

We hope to see you there!

February General Meeting -

about 2 weeks ago

Our first general meeting of 2025, we are excited to host Don Lindstom February 3rd at 7 PM at the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Don Lindstrom is a 30 year veteran of Bonsai art. After 6 yrs, he was able to spend time working at Brussels Bonsai Nursery in Mississippi as well as visiting artist at Nature's Way in Pennsylvania with Jim Doyle. After that he returned to his Chicago suburban home and achieved professional awards at The Midwest show and also BCI conferences along with two Joshua Roth New Talent competitions.

Annual Holiday Party - December 11th

about 2 months ago

Join us for our annual Holiday Party, to be held December 11th at the Heller Nature Center. Bring a dish to share, drinks will be provided by the society.

More details are available on our Holiday Party page.

The event always proves to be a hit - we look forward to seeing you there!

2025 General Meeting Dates Released

about 2 months ago

While the bonsai season has wound-down, we’re already busy planning next year’s activities - including our General Meeting dates.

Please see our Meetings page for more detail on all of our meeting dates and times. Our General Meetings run monthly from February through November at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Hope to see you there!

46th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition - Only 12 days Away!

about 6 months ago

Been at the Chicago Botanic Garden recently? You might have seen the signage in the entrance to the Visitor’s Center inviting guests to attend the 46th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, August 16-18th.

It’s not too late to prepare your trees for exhibition! Looking to build your skills, sign-up for one of our many vendor-led workshops across different styles and species of tree. And of course, your support in volunteering your time helps our exhibition run smoothly!

All details about the Exhibition are available on our August Exhibition page. We hope to see you there!

August General Meeting Program Announced

about 7 months ago

Join us August 5th at the Chicago Botanic Garden for our next General Meeting, focused on preparations for the upcoming August Exhibition. More details are available on our Meetings page. We hope to see you there!

Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM: Bonsai 101 Program: “Volunteer Roles for August Exhibit" presented by Robert Wright.
7:30 PM General Program: “Preparing Your Tree for Displaying at the August Exhibit” presented by Victor Zurczak.

July General Meeting Program Announced

about 8 months ago

The Society’s July General Meeting program has been announced - Join us on July 1st in the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden at 7:00 PM for our Bonsai 101 Program “Accent Plants and Pots” presented Judy Doll. At 7:30 PM our main General Program “Bonsai Tree Styles” will be presented by Linda Camp.

As always, feel free to bring trees to review with senior members for styling advice.

We hope to see you there!

This Weekend - the 18th Annual Midwest Bonsai Society May Exhibit

about 9 months ago

This weekend marks the 18th Annual Midwest Bonsai Society May Exhibit! Open Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the exhibit as always takes place at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center. While the show is free, admission and parking fees for the Chicago Botanic Garden apply.

Our May Exhibit page provides more details about the extensive list of vendors selling bonsai tools, trees, soils, pottery and accessories, as well as our list of workshops available for different skill-levels.

Focusing on trees in training, this non-judged show is open to trees from all skill-levels, irrespective of membership in the Midwest Bonsai Society.

Thanks to our volunteers and board members who dedicate time and effort into making the show a success. We look forward to seeing you there!

May General Meeting Program

about 9 months ago

Our next general meeting will be at 7PM on May 6th at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Remote capabilities for those unavailable to join in person are available - members, please see your email for more details!

The meeting starts at 7:00 PM with our Bonsai 101 Program: "Bonsai from Cuttings" and at 7:30 PM turns to our main topic "Air Layering Demonstration." Both programs will be presented by Victor Zurczak.