Workshops

~ PSBA GUEST ARTIST WORKSHOP INFO ~

Overview: PSBA guest artist workshops are one of the most rewarding and educational benets of being a member. In these workshops, you’ll receive hands-on, practical instruction from regionally, nationally or internationally recognized bonsai professionals. These workshops take place on the Saturday and/or Sunday and/or Monday preceding the Monday evening general meeting. Typical duration is 4 hours with 4 to 8 participants. A limited number of silent observer slots are also available (see below). The location varies depending on a number of factors, but in recent years is typically the private residence of a trusted member or a community center, community college, etc. The cost may vary depending on the artist, but is usually around $60-$90. We strongly encourage members to take advantage of the opportunity to work with these professionals at an aordable rate, subsidized by the club. Many of these artists have their own private schools or study groups that are signicantly more expensive and/or have waiting lists, so a PSBA workshop with them is an opportunity to be seized!

Who can partake? Workshops with visiting artists are open to all paid-up PSBA members, regardless of their level of experience. You don’t need to be a seasoned veteran with superb trees to take part! In order to get the most out of the experience, however, we recommend you do the following before signing up:
• Complete our two-part New Member workshop/class.
• Attend as a silent observer on one or two occasions.
• Participate in your local peer-to-peer PSBA member study group on a few occasions.
• Become familiar with the fundamentals of wiring, pruning and styling.
• Build a reasonable level of condence in keeping your plants strong & healthy.

Silent observers: In addition to actual participant spaces, a limited number of silent observer slots are available for a nominal fee ($10-$15). These are ideal for newer members/practitioners who may not yet have the trees or fundamental skills to get the most out of the workshop.

Selecting appropriate plant material: All material should be as healthy, vigorous and well-established as possible. Trees exhibiting any signs of disease, pest infestation or stress are not acceptable for workshops. Please do not bring trees that have recently been repotted, collected, imported, styled or heavily pruned. Please do not bring very young seedlings or saplings with insignicant trunks and minimal branching. A good piece of workshop material will generally have a fairly substantial trunk, plenty of primary and secondarybranching to work with, and lots of “options.” Pre-bonsai material that’s had some bonsai-specic training rather than totally raw material from a general nursery or garden center is often advisable. Avoid examples that lack low branches and/or only have foliage near the ends of the branches and/or only have very thick, heavy branches that will be very challenging if not impossible to manipulate. Please take a look at the sample photos below of good vs poor workshop material. If you’re unsure about whether a tree’s okay for a guest artist workshop, please ask the workshop coordinator or any senior club member in advance. We recommend bringing more than one tree (2-4) so you’re sure not to run out of work. The artist may recommend working on one tree over another, or perhaps a tree mostly needs to be discussed and only requires a handful of decisive actions.

Species, Season and Specialty: While all our guest artists are procient with most species and all aspects of bonsai, it is often the case that they specialize in, or are best known for their work with, certain species, styles, sizes or techniques. We will highlight this in the artist prole and/or workshop announcements, and encourage you to select the tree(s) you’ll bring accordingly. Likewise, please consider whether the work you’re hoping to do on a given plant is appropriate for that species at the given time of year. You can reference the monthly work calendar on the website and/or inquire with guest artist workshop coordinator Lynn Paietta or any senior member to conrm.

Tools and supplies: You are responsible for bringing your own tools and supplies to a guest artist workshop. Generally speaking, it’s better to bring it and not need it than vise-versa. You should have a bonsai pruning scissors, concave branch cutter, pliers, wire cutter, small saw and cut paste. A turntable to allow for the plant to be examined and worked on from various positions can be very helpful. Blocks, wedges and small sandbags can be useful for adjusting the planting angle. We encourage participants to label or uniquely mark their tools and bring them in a roll or case of some sort to avoid any mixups or lost tools. Tools should be cleaned, sharpened and disinfected. Bring plenty of wire, in most or all gauges. Again, it’s better to have it and not need it than vise-versa, and you don’t want to run out of of suitable wire halfway through styling a tree! Please bring your own water and snacks. Workshop coordinator Lynn has been known to generously provide food for workshops during the lunch hour, but don’t assume it. If you’re wondering where to buy tools/supplies or which ones to buy, Lynn can also oer guidance.

Repotting: Repotting is not generally conducted at guest artist workshops unless stated otherwise in the workshop announcement or you’ve obtained permission from the workshop coordinator. If repotting is to be performed, please bring a root hook, root cutter, sickle, chopsticks, drainage mesh, multiple pot options, soil scoops, a tarp and plenty of prepared (i.e. sifted & graded) growing media, in addition to the standard tools mentioned above.

Etiquette: Please keep in mind that all participants deserve an equal amount of the instructor’s time. Please respect the start and end times as a matter of courtesy to the artist, hosting venue and your fellow participants. If you are a silent observer, please live up to the name and refrain from asking questions, making unsolicited comments or conducting private conversations that may disturb others.

Recap: PSBA guest artist workshops are a fantastic opportunity to learn bonsai from a master in a hands-on, fairly personalized format with a handful of your fellow members. This learning environment is dierent from the demos and lectures that constitute the vast majority of our general meeting programming, and from local study groups. While people of all skill and experience levels are welcome, you can maximize your benet by ensuring you come well-prepared with the trees, tools and knowledge described above. A great value for the money, these workshops are ideal for those who’ve found their feet in the basics of bonsai care and creation and are looking to take the next step in their bonsai education. Sign up for one today!

 Guest Artist Workshops  are generally offered the day before a general meeting by the bonsai artist who will be performing the demonstration that month. Workshops provide members in-depth exposure to techniques, design options and information that they can use to improve their trees. Workshop participants provide their own tree (with bonsai potential), container, tools and supplies. Guest artist workshops give bonsai enthusiasts a great opportunity to work with a visiting professional artist while working on their own trees.

Workshops may be held on Sunday and/or Monday prior to the general meeting. The number of workshop participants is limited and registration fees vary. Alternatively, members may silently observe a workshop for a small fee. New club members are encouraged to be an observer in a guest artist workshop before being a participant in one.

To enroll in a guest artist workshop or for more information, contact Lynn about the workshops.

New Member Workshops  are designed specifically for those with little bonsai experience. These workshops (three per year) cover basic bonsai design, wiring techniques, how to repot a tree and what to look for when shopping for bonsai material.  These workshops are offered for a $75 per member fee. The member receives a tree, pot, soil, and aluminum wire during the shaping workshop.

New member workshop schedules are not advertised. One must be a club member before they can take these workshops. For more information, contact us.