Bonsai Societies of Florida: Exhibitors
Bonsai Societies of Florida: Exhibitors
BSF Convention Exhibitors Information
Prepare for the 2026 Convention, where you’ll embark on a bonsai journey inspired by the playful theme, “It’s a small (bonsai) world!” This year’s event celebrates the smallest marvels of bonsai—Mame, Shohin, and Chuhin—demonstrating just how impressive these miniature trees can be. And if you have a larger tree, don’t worry; everyone is welcome!
Invitation to Submit (Feb 19 – Apr 13)
Dear Bonsai Friends,
We are pleased to invite you to take part in the bonsai exhibition at our upcoming BSF Bonsai Convention, ‘It’s a small world’.
This exhibition is an opportunity for artists to showcase their bonsai while celebrating the elevated aesthetics that represent the tradition of Florida bonsai display. We welcome thoughtful presentations where the bonsai tree is the focal point of the display.
While all styles and sizes are welcome, this year we have a special emphasis on displaying smaller bonsai to highlight their delicate charm.
Exhibitors are encouraged to present their trees in a manner that reflects personal artistic expression. Whether simple or formal, each display contributes to the shared learning and inspiration of our bonsai community.
We hope you will join us in making this exhibition a meaningful and visually inspiring part of the convention.
Warm regards, Jim & Dorothy Demarest, Exhibit Chairs
Steps
- Step 1 – Read Invitation to Submit (above) and Exhibit Overview (below)
- Step 2 – Read Selection Criteria (link below) to understand the specifics and awards for this year’s convention
- Step 3 – Create a design for submittal (contact the exhibit chair website@bonsai-bsf.com for questions)
(you will need description, size, weight, common species names, pics) - Step 4 – Enter your exhibit concept into the Submittal Form Link (below)
- Step 5 – Email pictures of your trees to the exhibit chair (MANDATORY) – website@bonsai-bsf.com
- Step 6 – Wait for Exhibit Chair responses
NOTE to Exhibitors: If you are selected as an exhibitor, you will enjoy a fully paid conference invitation (with no banquet). You will be required to volunteer at least 2 hours in support of exhibit setup, teardown, and/or docent services. You will work with the Exhibit Chair for assignments. As part of the exhibit team, you will have access to the BSF Convention volunteer room rate (saves taxes on rooms).
Exhibition Overview and Background:
To foster creativity year-over-year, BSF establishes a theme for the convention to guide bonsai content towards a distinctive vision, thereby strengthening the bonsai art form overall. The exhibition sometimes aligns with this theme to support these convention’s goals.
The Convention Chair, with input from the Convention Committee, appoints an Exhibit Chair to organize and oversee the main bonsai exhibition. The Exhibit Chair is responsible for establishing a process to select trees for the convention exhibit where it is generally recommended, but not required, to form an exhibit committee to fairly decide on the display content and trees. The Chair and/or committee reviews all submissions, selecting display materials (trees and shohin displays) based on quality, size, species, style, and movement.
The Exhibit Chair also organizes an impartial adjudication committee, usually (but not necessarily) consisting of the headliner(s) artist(s), to select trees for award.
Awards typically presented:
Each year, the Convention Committee and Exhibit Chair determine the awards to be presented during the exhibition. These awards may vary depending on the exhibit theme. Below is a list of awards typically given. Any changes to the specific awards for this year’s convention will be listed in the Selection Criteria.
Exhibition Submission Approach
If you’d like to submit trees for this year’s Convention Exhibit, now is your chance. Typically, there are approximately 35-40 spots available, depending on the size of the trees or shohin displays. Please read the guiding principles below, take pictures*, and complete your submission via the website form by the specified due date and time. You will be notified of the selection committee decision no later than April 30.
- To participate, you must be a BSF Member in good standing during the convention year. If you are not currently a member of a club, you can register as a member-at-large on the BSF At-Large Membership page.
- The Exhibit Chair may provide specific selection criteria to align material submissions with the convention theme. A link will be provided to specific criteria prior to the submission and selection process.
*Pictures
To capture the best perspective of a bonsai tree, photographs should be taken at pot level. A neutral background is ideal to ensure the tree’s features stand out without distraction. Photos should be recent, but if the tree is expected to flower later, you can use images from its last blooming period.
Guidelines for preparing Your Tree
This is a judged exhibition where many participants will receive awards. To enhance your chances of being selected and receiving an award, prepare your tree following these principles. Refer to this year’s Selection Criteria for the latest updates to these guidelines.
- Insects: Ensure your tree is pest-free before bringing it to the show. Trees with pests will not be displayed. To prevent the spread of insects to other trees, it is recommended you apply a pesticide (natural or otherwise) prior to the show.
- Clean Pot: The pot should be thoroughly cleaned to remove all water stains, iron stains, dirt, calcium deposits, and other residues. You may oil the pot to enhance its color, detail, and shine.
- Wire: You may wire your tree for the show, but ensure the wire is either all copper or all aluminum (not mixed) and that the wiring is done neatly. Please note that substantial wiring is discouraged for judged exhibits (so be judicious with your wiring).
- Accompaniments: Your display typically requires a display table, companion(s), possibly a scroll, etc., according to the Exhibit Chair’s requirements. You will be notified of all requirements if your tree is accepted.
Typical Exhibit Timeline and
This timeline offers a structured approach for Setup and Tear Down of the exhibition.
Setup
- Display Setup: Begins Wednesday evening and continues through Thursday.
- Tree Arrival: Trees can begin arriving on Thursday morning. You will have several time slots to choose from for scheduling your tree drop-off. All trees should ideally arrive by 2 PM on Thursday. Please coordinate with the Exhibit Chair for any trees arriving after 2pm. Trees arriving after 4 PM on Thursday will not be accepted.
- Final Display: The exhibit will be fully set up with all trees displayed by Thursday evening, typically by 5 PM.
- Exhibit Opening: Opens to the public on Friday morning at 9 AM.
Critiques, Judging and Awards
- Critiques: Visiting artists will critique the tree displays. These critiques typically occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings before the exhibition opens and have limited participation.
- Formal Judging: Awards (except People’s Choice) will usually be selected by the award committee by Thursday Evening. The Exhibit Chair will display the awards after award selection.
- People’s Choice: This award will be determined by public vote using a ballot box system. The ballot box will be available from Friday at 9 AM until Saturday at 4 PM. The Exhibit Chair will ensure the votes are tallied and will display the award Sunday morning.
Tear Down
- Display Teardown: Begins Sunday around 4 PM.
- Tree Removal: Trees can be removed by the tree owner from the display at 4 PM unless pre-arranged with the Exhibit Chair. All trees should be picked up by the tree owner by 9am Monday morning or will be moved to a storage area for later pickup.
- Final Teardown: Continues from Sunday 4 PM to Monday morning.