Bonsai Societies of Florida: Convention
Bonsai Societies of Florida: Convention
2025 BSF Convention – May 23-25, in Orlando FL at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center
Florida’s Largest Bonsai Event
The BSF 2025 convention is bringing a fresh take on bonsai exhibitions. With the theme “Let’s Do Something Different,” this event from May 23 to 25 will showcase innovative bonsai displays that go beyond traditional presentations.
Join us in celebrating the imaginative side of bonsai art. Artists, enthusiasts, and collectors from Florida and the southern region will come together to highlight Florida’s creative spirit. Be part of this unique artistic event!
Convention Headliners and Visiting Artists
This year’s visiting bonsai artists will be sure to challenge this year’s convention theme, “Let’s do something different”. We have excellent headliners who will stretch your imagination and challenge your artistry.
Laurent Darrieux is a renowned bonsai artist who began his journey in 1987 alongside his father. He is best known for pioneering the Cosmic Bonsai or Kozumikku style, which diverges from traditional bonsai by creating forms that do not exist in nature. This style emphasizes imaginative and artistic expression, drawing inspiration from various modern media like films and comics. Darrieux’s unique approach blends classical bonsai techniques with innovative, otherworldly designs, offering a fresh and captivating perspective on this ancient art form.
Evan Pardue is the nursery manager at Underhill Bonsai in Folsom, Louisiana. His passion for bonsai began in his youth, inspired by the natural beauty and folklore of Southern Louisiana. Evan’s work is deeply influenced by the dramatic Louisiana ecosystems that around him, from pine forests to marshlands dominated by bald cypress trees. In contrast to Laurent, Even is a more traditional artist who combines his artistic background with classic bonsai principles, focusing on elements like the golden mean and horizon lines.
Young Choe is a distinguished kusamono artist who merges her traditional Korean art background with her horticultural expertise. She studied under the renowned kusamono master Keiko Yamane in Japan, honing her skills in this unique art form that involves creating elegant arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in various containers. Young’s work is celebrated for its delicate balance of aesthetics and botanical knowledge, which she refers to as “”articulture””. People would want to see her demonstrate her work because she brings a profound understanding of plant physiology and artistic design, creating living art pieces that are both visually stunning and deeply connected to nature.
We also bring back last year’s 2024 Mike Knowlton scholarship competition winners David Ruth (1st place) and Scott Lehman (2nd place) to bring their artistry in support of a wonderful convention weekend.
About Bonsai Societies of Florida Conventions
Bonsai Society of Florida hosts annual conventions and events that bring together bonsai enthusiasts and newcomers from across the state. These conventions provide a platform for individuals to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, and foster a sense of community within the bonsai world.
Every year on Memorial Day weekend, the Bonsai Societies of Florida hosts their annual BSF Convention. The event is held at The Florida Hotel & Conference Center conveniently located at The Florida Mall in Orlando, Florida. Bonsai enthusiasts from all over the southeast participate in a 3-day event full of workshops, demos, vendor area, raffle areas and exhibits. Bonsai artists from around the world teach bonsai arts through demos and workshops. A vendor area with over 80 tables gives participants the opportunity to purchase bonsai trees, tools, books, fertilizer and more. A world class exhibit showcases some of the best trees in the U.S.
Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in Florida’s biggest bonsai event!
BSF Conventions Overview
The convention spans multiple days and features a diverse range of activities including:
Workshops & Demonstrations:
Renowned bonsai artists and experts conduct workshops and demonstrations, offering participants hands-on learning experiences and insights into bonsai styling, wiring techniques, repotting, and more.
Lectures and Presentations:
Informative lectures and presentations are delivered by experts, covering a wide range of bonsai-related topics such as species-specific care, advanced styling techniques, bonsai history, and artistic concepts.
Critique Sessions:
Participants have the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on their bonsai trees from experienced bonsai artists and fellow enthusiasts. This helps in refining techniques and improving the overall quality of their bonsai creations.
Knowledge Exchange:
Meetings provide a platform for bonsai enthusiasts and newbies to share their experiences, exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from one another. It creates a supportive community where everyone can benefit from collective wisdom.
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