30th Annual Bonsai-a-Thon
Schedule
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Extensive bazaar area with vendors selling top-quality tools, pots, and plants
- 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Demonstrations: Initial training and advanced styling by local bonsai artists
∘ Saturday: Kathy Benson, Marcus Juniel, Bill Ward, Tom Vuong
∘ Sunday: Jason Chan, Mitch Matsey, Bob Pressler, Jason Saito - 11 a.m. Guided tour
∘ Saturday: Japanese Heritage Shōya House
∘ Sunday: Bonsai Nursery - 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Lecture by bonsai artist Jonas Dupuich (auditorium on the lower level of Banta Hall)
∘ Saturday: Deciduous trees
∘ Sunday: Black pines - 2:30–4:30 p.m. Live auction followed by raffle of demonstration trees and donated trees, pots, tools, and more
Proceeds from this event support the Golden State Bonsai Federation Collection at The Huntington.
Kusamono workshop participants with their creations. Young Choe (center front) is a world-renowned kusamono artist and was the 2024 Golden State Bonsai Federation Bonsai-a-Thon visiting artist and workshop leader.
Each day, you can expect four to five demonstrators working in an inviting setting, allowing you to ask questions and get to know each expert.
Ted Matson, The Huntington’s curator of the bonsai collections, points to the winner of one of many auction prizes, including kusamonos made by Young Choe.
California juniper bonsai (Juniperus californica), styled from plant material approximately 500 years old. Photo by Andrew Mitchell. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
About the Organization
Golden State Bonsai Federation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization comprised of member and affiliate clubs in California and adjoining states. The federation promotes the art of bonsai.
About the Bonsai-a-Thon Visiting Artist
Jonas Dupuich got his start in bonsai over 20 years ago when he met Boon Manakitivipart while working at his family’s nursery. After seeing a tree Manakitivipart had styled—a neglected black pine—Dupuich was hooked. That experience kicked off more than two decades of study with Manakitivipart. During that time, Dupuich became a founding member of Bay Island Bonsai and started the Bonsai Tonight blog. In 2015, Dupuich’s hobby became his profession. He now teaches classes, works on trees, and runs a small bonsai business full time. His primary aim in bonsai is the same now as it was more than 20 years ago: to help as many people as possible appreciate beautiful bonsai.
The Bonsai-a-Thon visiting artist is sponsored by Joshua Roth Limited.