Welcome to PSBA
Puget Sound Bonsai Association
Photo by club member Anthony Fajarillo
The Officers and Board of Directors of Puget Sound Bonsai Association are proud to present the Club’s new logo. The creation of the logo, designed by club member Thaison Kawal in collaboration with past president Tony Fajarillo and current vice president David De Groot, has been a five year process which began with club member logo design submissions that led to the selection of Thaison as the designer of choice by the board.
Coming Up:
Our remaining events lineup for 2025 at a glance:
October 20th - 5:30PM at CUH, Technical Series program - Josef Leibfried will discuss bonsai pots and the process of selecting the right pot for your tree
October 20th - 7PM at CUH, General Meeting with guest artist Mauro Stemberger
November 8th - PSBA’s Annual Fall Sale - Saturday from Noon to 3PM, at CUH - It’ll be bigger and better!! See below.
November 24th - 5:30PM at CUH, Technical Series program - John Schmied will present on Azaleas
November 24th - 7PM at CUH, PSBA Business and General Meeting with guest artist Carmen Leskoviansky
THE PSBA BONSAI TECHNICAL SKILLS SERIES IS HERE!
By member request, PSBA is initiating a series of pre-program presentations dealing with bonsai technical skills and seasonal care.
All presentations will take place inside the CUH Merrill Commons (glassed-in room in CUH courtyard) from 5:30 – 6:30 prior to our general meetings when we have a guest artist.
The pre-program presentations are open to all members without cost or reservation, like our general meetings.
October 20th - 5:30PM at CUH, Technical Series program - Josef Leibfried on bonsai pots
October 20th - General Meeting with guest artist Mauro Stemberger at CUH, 7:00PM
Mauro Stemberger, October 20th, 2025
Please read our Guest Artist Workshop Suggestions before registering for any guest artist workshops. Register by contacting Lynn at psba.workshops@gmail.com
PSBA’s Fall Sale - Saturday November 8th, 2025 at Noon until 3:00PM
November 24th - 5:30PM at CUH, Technical Series program - John Schmied on Azaleas
November 24th - General Meeting with guest artist Carmen Leskoviansky at CUH, 7:00PM
Carmen Leskoviansky, November 2025
Please read our Guest Artist Workshop Suggestions before registering for any guest artist workshops. Register by contacting Lynn at psba.workshops@gmail.com
Happy Holidays!! We look forward to seeing you in January!
Puget Sound Bonsai Association Winter Silhouette Show 2026
WHEN: January 31 - February 1, 2026 10AM-4PM Open to the Public
WHERE: Bellevue Botanical Garden - Aaron Education Center
The Puget Sound Bonsai Association invites you to experience the wonder of bonsai in their winter form. Join us, as we explore the subtle beauty of bonsai trees in their winter silhouette form.
In the quiet beauty of winter, ancient bonsai trees reveal their purest form. Stripped of leaves, each branch and trunk stands in sharp relief, showcasing the artistry of structure, balance, and design.
This exhibition invites you to discover the intricate framework and branching of deciduous bonsai trees. In the winter, elegance is found not in the foliage, but in the graceful architecture beneath.
If you wish to exhibit your tree, what you need to know:
The submission window is October 15th – November 15th.
Now is the time think about your tree display at this beautiful venue.
PSBA members are encouraged to submit up to two bonsai displays (one as alternate)
Complete guidance on submitting a Bonsai display will be in a special announcement in early October and the next issue of Sound Bonsai
Preference will be given to displays that include at least one deciduous tree
July 26th - August 3rd - Stone Images XV
Many thanks to two PSBA presidents of the past!!
Guy J. with Pat N. and Joel S.
Pat N., Guy J., and Joel S.
Check out our new photo gallery “Spring Show 2024”,
photos by Aki Yamakawa
and … our new photo gallery “Spring Show 2025”, photos by the PSBA website group.
Volunteers at our 2025 Auction held at PBM.
Suggested:
Recommended Read by Ladd Smith
The book is “The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsessions”, by Amy Stewart (who lives in Portland). I could not put it down. One of my people sent me this link below about a zoom presentation with Amy Stewart.
The really cool part is the book mentions the PBM and the chapter about bonsai is on Enrique Castaño, our PSBA guest artist in November!
Here’s a link to a Seattle Times story about Local Bonsai featuring club members Tony Fajarillo, Bruce Williams, and others.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattles-thriving-bonsai-community-tells-stories-through-tiny-trees/
Check out a New Yorker article on Portland area bonsai artist, Ryan Neil (link to New Yorker Magazine article)
Video coverage of the Puget Sound Bonsai Association 2021 Public Bonsai Auction (YouTube video by Ben Nguyen)
Fall Yamadori in the Pacific Northwest (YouTube video by Ben Nguyen)
Download:
PSBA 2024 Calendar of Events (printer friendly)
Sound Bonsai - The PSBA Newsletter
PSBA 2021 Margaret Holton Winter Silhouette Show
PSBA 2021 Margaret Holton Winter Silhouette Show
Margaret Holton Winter Silhouette Show
2021 Virtual Spring Show
The Puget Sound Bonsai Association was formed in 1973. We are a non-profit corporation dedicated to the education of its members and the general public in the art and culture of bonsai. Club members have bonsai experience that ranges from beginner to recognized experts in the art. PSBA holds regularly scheduled club meetings featuring demonstrations and educational programs by national and international bonsai artists. The club also stages public shows and participates in community events where members' trees are showcased.
Member Benefits
Enjoy learning about the techniques and traditions of the ancient art of bonsai in a social setting.
Immerse yourself in an ancient art form with international reach
Attend eight general meetings per year featuring demonstrations by local, regional or national guest artists.
We meet on the fourth Monday in the months of January, February, March, April, September, October, and November.Take or observe workshops by guest artists
Take two new-member workshops during your first two years ($75 per member to cover cost of materials):
1. Late winter (February - March)- Tree design and potting workshop. New members receive a tree, pot and other materials.
2. Fall (October - November)- Shaping and wiring workshop. A tree and pot are provided for members who have not yet attended the late winter workshop.Join a study group to improve skills, free of charge
Join an advanced or professionally-led study group (costs involved)
Submit trees for selection and exhibit at club events
Sell trees and other bonsai related materials at annual auction (typically the first Saturday in June) and club sales events
Attend annual potluck for fellowship and bonsai shopping
Sell trees or materials at potluck free of club commission
Join a committee or become a board member
Participate in club events as a docent or volunteer
As of September 1st, 2017, new member dues are $50 for an individual and $70 for a couple. Couples must reside at the same address. New members who join after September 1st are paid-up for the following year.
New in 2025, we are offering an “under 30” (years of age) individual membership dues renewal option. This option must be selected when renewing dues for the year.
Renewing member dues, which are due before the 1st of January, are $50 for an individual member renewal and $70 for a couple renewal (discounts are often given when renewing early).
We need club members to volunteer for the following events:
Spring Show
Spring Sale
PSBA Auction
Summer Potluck
Fall Sale
New Member Workshops
Board of Directors
Public Relations
and other club related committees
Annual Special Events
Sakura Con – PSBA organizes an exhibit as part of this anime convention’s presentation of Japanese arts, culture and traditions.
March/April: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle.
Spring Show – Annual exhibit. An opportunity for members to showcase their trees.
May (Mother's Day Weekend): Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way
Annual Auction – A professionally-conducted live auction featuring up to 70 trees at varying price points, plus a silent auction of trees, pots, books, and materials.
Normally in June, first Saturday but in 2021, it will be September 25th: Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way
Member Potluck – A summer tradition is moving to fall where members and their families enjoy informal fellowship, great food, and a member bazaar offering great bargains on trees, pots, and stones.
October: Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle
For more information, see the calendar or contact us.
Join the club!!
Existing membership renewal, select the appropriate link for your membership type: Family or Individual
