Filtering by: August Exhibit Workshops
Description: Questions on pairing scrolls with bonsai? Join this presentation from Kristy Majeske of Asian Artique to discuss a series of questions to ask yourself when choosing a scroll for a particular tree. After the presentation, join Kristy as she leads the group through the Exhibition to work through ideas. Handouts of checklists and symbolism will be provided.
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Regenstein Center, Alsdorf Auditorium
No registration required!
Description: Bring your own collected or unstyled nursery conifer (no deciduous or tropical), or one that you want to refine further, to this workshop to start it on its path to bonsai. Students should bring their own wire and tools.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: None
Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert
Maximum Participants: 10
Location: Design Studio
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![Kusa-Farm Premna Japonica Bonsai Workshop]()
Description: Premna Japonica (Musk Maple) in 6” bulb pan. Movement has already been established in the trunks, the workshop will focus on branch placement and cut-back to continue styling the materials. Participants should bring tools and wire.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $95, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 6
Location: Regenstein Center, Linnaeus Room
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Description: Your child, with the help of our experienced Society members, will learn how to pot a bonsai, which they can take home at the end of the workshop. The registration fee covers the cost of the materials as well.
Registration Fee: $16
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: Children 5-17
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
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![Dasu Raft Dwarf Arborvitae Bonsai Workshop]()
Description: Raft dwarf Arborvite workshop - wire a tree into forest form from a single tree for you to plant next spring. Plant in your pot or rockscape - appropriate pot and rockscape options are available for purchase by contacting 515-769-2446 ahead of the workshop. Students should bring wire cutters, basic concave cutters, or powerful scissors, as well as 2.5 mm, 3 mm and 3.5 mm aluminum wire.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $38, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop. Pot and rockscape options available separately for purchase by calling 515-769-2446 ahead of time.
Skill Level: All
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Linnaeus Room
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![BC Bonsai Narrow Leaf Buttonwood Bonsai Workshop]()
Description: Narrow leaf Buttonwood produces lovey very narrow foliage, great wood for carving, and is a hardy Florida native. Tropical favorite! Buttonwood likes full sun, and moderate water and fertilizer. Tropical tree, keep away from freezing temperatures. Tools and wire will be provided.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $30, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: All
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
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Description: A unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jack Sustic. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $80
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: All Skills
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
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Description: Drinks, complementary wine and beer and soft drinks start at 5:00. The dinner is informal and will consist of ordered-in food. An amazing silent auction and raffle will be held during the dinner. The raffle will be for the tree styled by guest judge Jack Sustic in the Saturday afternoon demonstration. The silent auction will be for items donated by our fabulous vendors and club members. Note that the dinner is open to members and non-members alike!
Location: Heller Nature Center in Highland Park (just minutes from the Garden)
Cost: $18
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Description: Your child, with the help of our experienced Society members, will learn how to pot a bonsai, which they can take home at the end of the workshop. The registration fee covers the cost of the materials cost well.
Registration Fee: $16
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: Children 5-17
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
Register securely via EventBrite!
![Kawa No Oka Tiger Bark Ficus Bonsai Workshop]()
Description: A hands-on workshop designed for intermediate bonsai enthusiasts where we will focus on the Tiger Bark Ficus, a species renowned for its striking, well-developed trunk and resilient nature. Learn intermediate pruning, wiring, and styling methods tailored specifically to the Tiger Bark Ficus. Explore techniques to further develop and refine the impressive trunk structure of your Ficus. Gain information into the care routines required to maintain a healthy and thriving Ficus. From watering schedules to pest management. This workshop is ideal for intermediate participants who have basic bonsai experience. We will not be repotting, so you will receive one tree ready for styling. Participants will need to bring their own basic tools and wire of chice from 1mm/18 gauge through 4mm/10 gauge. Aluminum wire will be available for purchase.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $60, payable to instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
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Description: Guest Master Jack Sustic will perform a styling on a Colorado Blue Spruce. See a raw, un-styled tree, start its journey to become a bonsai.
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Regenstein Center, Alsdorf Auditiorium
No registration required!
Description: A unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jack Sustic. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $80
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: All Skills
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Visitor’s Center
Register securely via EventBrite!
![BC Bonsai Water Jasmine Bonsai Workshop]()
Description: Water Jasmine is a flowering tree that produces fragrant white flowers that hang down below the foliage. They bloom in spring and in fall. Jasmine likes full sun, and moderate water and fertilizer. Tropical tree, keep away from freezing temperatures. Tools and wire will be provided.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $30, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: All
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
Register securely via EventBrite!
Description: Questions on pairing scrolls with bonsai? Join this presentation from Kristy Majeske of Asian Artique to discuss a series of questions to ask yourself when choosing a scroll for a particular tree. After the presentation, join Kristy as she leads the group through the Exhibition to work through ideas. Handouts of checklists and symbolism will be provided.
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Regenstein Center, Alsdorf Auditorium
No registration required!
Description: Tour the Chicago Botanic Garden’s bonsai collection with Chris Baker, curator as he leads a walking tour around the two display courtyards and shares insights for the trees on display.
Registration Fee: Free
Maximum Participants: 12
Location: Regenstein Center Courtyards
No registration required!
![Bonsai by Fields Itoigawa Juniper Bonsai Workshop]()
Description: Learn with Mark Fields to style an Itoigawa Juniper, grown in a one-gallon pot. Participants should bring their own copper wire and tools.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $125, payable to instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate and up
Maximum Participants: 7
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
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Description: Follow our guest master, Jack Sustic, through the exhibition as he provides commentary and critique of the entered trees. A popular and unique opportunity to understand the inner-thinking of the guest master as they judged and scored all the entries.
Registration Fee: $25
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: All levels
Location: Regenstein Center, Nichols Hall
Register securely via EventBrite!
Description: Questions on pairing scrolls with bonsai? Join this presentation from Kristy Majeske of Asian Artique to discuss a series of questions to ask yourself when choosing a scroll for a particular tree. After the presentation, join Kristy as she leads the group through the Exhibition to work through ideas. Handouts of checklists and symbolism will be provided.
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Regenstein Center, Alsdorf Auditorium
No registration required!
![Yume-En Bonsai Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Workshop]()
Description: Learn about care and styling of a Japanese Black Pine. Participants should bring their own tools and copper wire, as well as a notebook and pencil for taking notes.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $100, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 10
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
Register securely via EventBrite!
![BC Bonsai Chinese Elm Workshop]()
Description: Chinese Elm is a deciduous tree that is cold hardy. Nice fall interest and lovey serrated foliage, it likes full/partial sun and moderate water and fertilizer. Water as needed and don’t let the soil dry out. Choose either a twisted or straight trunk in this workshop.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $50, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: All levels
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
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Description: Workshop on creation of Accent Plants with Shannon Salyor. During the workshop you will put together mixed accents in three small nursery pots to grow together for a year. Plant materials, soil, and nursery pots are included in the materials cost.
Registration Fee: $40
Participant Limit: 8-12
Materials Cost: $50, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: All
Location: Plant Science Lab
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![Shohin Chinese Elm Forest Workshop with Kawa No Oka Bonsai]()
Description: Shohin Chinese Elm Forest workshop. The workshop will start with a repotting and then styling of the trees. Participants should bring tools and wire, but wire will be available for purchase
Registration Fee: $40
Participant Limit: 8
Materials Cost: $60, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Location: Design Studio
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Description: Your child, with the help of our experienced Society members, will learn how to pot a bonsai, which they can take home at the end of the workshop. The registration fee covers the cost of the materials cost as well.
Registration Fee: $15
Materials Cost: Included
Skill Level: Children, 5-15
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall (Please stop by the Bonsai Society sales table for a ticket before heading to the event space)
Register Securely via EventBrite!
![Powder Puff Workshop with BC Bonsai]()
Description: Powder Puff tropical tree workshop. Wire and tools will be provided, as needed. A care sheet will be discussed and provided. This is a tree that prefers to be outside in the summer, and live in a sunny window during the winter.
Registration Fee: $40
Participant Limit: 8
Materials Cost: $30, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Location: Design Studio
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![Chamaecyparis (False Cypress) Workshop with Dasu Bonsai]()
Description: Mixed Chamaecyparis (False Cypress) workshop obtusa graeillis for large formal upright, dwarf form, or contorted form. Availability is: one large formal upright, two contorted, six dwarf. If interested in the large formal upright or contorted options, in addition to registering, participants must call-ahead (515) 769-2446 to reserve the tree. Participants should bring tools, and 2mm, 3mm and 4mm copper or aluminum wire. No soil or pots are provided in this workshop.
Registration Fee: $40
Participant Limit: 9
Materials Cost: $69 (dwarf), $89 (large upright) or $99 (contorted), payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: All
Participant Limit: 9
Location: Linnaeus Room
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Description: Bring your own tree workshop with Guest Master Bjorn Bjorholm. Get Bjorn’s insights on your own tree as you look to refine and prepare for future shows, or restyle and re-invigorate an older tree.
Registration Fee: $90
Participant Limit: 10
Skill Level: All
Location: Plant Science Lab
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Description: Drinks, complementary wine and beer and soft drinks start at 5:30. The dinner is informal and will consist of ordered-in food. An amazing silent auction and raffle will be held during the dinner. The raffle will be for the tree styled by guest judge Bjorn Bjorholm in the Saturday afternoon demonstration. The silent auction will be for items donated by our fabulous vendors and club members. Note that the dinner is open to members and non-members alike!
Location: Heller Nature Center in Highland Park (just minutes from the Garden)
Cost: $17
Register Securely via EventBrite!
Description: Participants will get a choice of Japanese black pines. We will then wire and talk about styling. After the styling portion, we will talk about how to care for the trees and what a timeline looks like for their care. Participants should bring scissors, wire cutters, pliers and wire. A notebook will also be a very handy tool for note taking.
Registration Fee: $40
Participant Limit: 10
Materials Cost: $150, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: Intermediate
Location: Plant Science Lab
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![Shohin Chinese Elm Workshop with BC Bonsai]()
Description: Initial styling of shohin-sized Chinese Elms. Care instructions will be provided and discussed to keep the tree under 10” tall, in shape, and with minimal wiring. Students can bring their own tools if they have them. Wire will be provided.
Registration Fee: $40
Participant Limit: 8
Materials Cost: $50, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Location: Design Studio
Register Securely via EventBrite!
Description: Your child, with the help of our experienced Society members, will learn how to pot a bonsai, which they can take home at the end of the workshop. The registration fee covers the cost of the materials cost as well.
Registration Fee: $15
Materials Cost: Included
Skill Level: Children, 5-15
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall (Please stop by the Bonsai Society sales table for a ticket before heading to the event space)
Register Securely via EventBrite!
