Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition - Tree Registration - Thursday Aug 19, 3-7PM

August 18, 2021

Planning to show a tree in this weekend’s 43rd Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition? Pre-register your tree using our easy-to-use online form, and bring it to the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center tomorrow, August 19th, between 3-7PM.

There is no fee to enter a tree, nor any residency or membership requirements - the Exhibition is open to all!

More details on the registration process, including key information about watering and the ban on Boxwoods at the Chicago Botanic Garden, is available on our page dedicated to this year’s Exhibition.

We’re looking forward to seeing your trees this weekend!

News and Updates

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

about 2 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 2 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 4 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 5 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 5 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.

April General Meeting Program - Michael Hagedorn

about 6 months ago

This Monday, the Society is happy to welcome guest artist and author Michael Hagedorn for discussion on his works “Bonsai Heresy: 56 Myths Exposed Using Science & Tradition.” Members will have the opportunity to ask questions. Because of the Guest Speaker for General Program there will be no Bonsai 101.

As always, senior members will be available in person to help with any bonsai questions you have.

The meeting will be in person in the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden, or is available through WebEx.

2024 Society General Meeting Schedule Released!

about 8 months ago

The Midwest Bonsai Society board is happy to announce our General Society meeting schedule for 2024! As dates get closer, each meeting’s Bonsai 101 and ‘Main Program’ content is finalized, and our website updated. Check back here, or keep an eye out in our newsletters, for more details on our meetings, as they are available.

Hope to see you at a General Meeting soon!

March 4 - Burnstein Hall
April 1 - Burnstein Hall
May 6 - Pullman Room
June 3 - Burnstein Hall
July 1 - Burnstein Hall
August 5 - Burnstein Hall
September 2 - Burnstein Hall
October 7 - Burnstein Hall
November 4 - Burnstein Hall

(All meetings start at 7 PM - please see our Meetings page for more details)

The Midwest Bonsai Society Annual Holiday Potluck Party

about 10 months ago

The annual Midwest Bonsai Society Holiday Party is Tuesday, December 5, 2023. The setup is at 5:00 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm.

Where: Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL 60035

When: December 6, 2022 - 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Bring a pot luck disk if you can, and any item you would like to donate for the evening’s free raffle. The Society is providing drinks. The last party, 2022, was a great deal of fun with fine food, wine and drinks. This is a great opportunity to renew friendships and meet new Bonsai members.

A map and more information is available on our Holiday Party page.

October 2nd - General Society Meeting

about a year ago

The next society meeting is October 2nd!

7:00 PM: Bonsai 101 program; “Bonsai Preparation and Winter Storage” presented by Victor Zurczak. 7:30 PM, General Program: “White Elephant Sale”. All members are invited to bring supplies, pots plants or any other bonsai related item that you want to sell or give away. MBS will have leftover Children's Workshop trees available for sale at $10 each. Trees are Zelcova, Chinese Wisteria, Japanese Maple, Trident Maple, and maybe one Amur Maple.

As always, our meetings are held at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, as well as on-line for members. Please see your email for remote-participation details!

August 7th - General Society Meeting

about a year ago

August 7th is our next General Society Meeting, at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

7:00 PM, Bonsai 101 program; “Accent Plants” presented by Linda Camp.
7:30 PM, General Program: “Show Presentation for Bonsai” demonstration by Victor Zurczak.

Come with trees you want to prepare for our August Exhibition, get advice, and suggested improvements.

More information is available on our Meetings page.