Bonsai Societies of Florida: Exhibitors

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Bonsai Societies of Florida: Exhibitors

BSF Convention Exhibitors Information

Exhibition Overview:

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 to be presented:

We have made some changes to the Convention Exhibit in the form of new awards. The following is a list of all awards to be presented:

  • Best Large Tree – 24″ and higher
  • Best Medium Tree – 12″ to 24″
  • Best Small Tree – 8″ to 12″
  • Best Shohin – Below 8″
  • Best in Show – Chosen from the Best Large, Medium, Small, and Shohin
  • The Mary Madison Native Tree Award
  • People’s Choice
  • Best Display
  • Best Companion
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Exhibition Submission

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Preparing Your Tree

This is a judged exhibition where many participants will receive awards. Prepare your tree according to these principles to improve your chances of selection and award.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
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Exhibit Timeline

This timeline offers a structured approach for Setup and Tear Down of the exhibition.

Setup

  1. Display Setup: Begins Wednesday evening and continues through Thursday.
  2. 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.
  3. Final Display: The exhibit will be fully set up with all trees displayed by Thursday evening, typically by 5 PM.
  4. Exhibit Opening: Opens to the public on Friday morning at 9 AM.

Critiques, Judging and Awards

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

  1. Display Teardown: Begins Sunday around 4 PM.
  2. 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.
  3. Final Teardown: Continues from Sunday 4 PM to Monday morning.

Exhibit Display Submissions

Submissions for Exhibits Usually Start by January prior to the Convention

Selection Criteria Exhibitor Signup

Convention Club Exhibit

This year’s BSF Convention will hopefully have full representation from all BSF clubs and Study Groups through participation in the BSF Club/Study Group Tree Exhibit. Each club/study group should choose a tree that aligns with this year’s theme to represent your club/study group.

Your club will have until the first Sunday in May to submit the entry via email. We will not be using companion trees or scrolls. The tree will need to be at the banquet room for display by Friday morning (8 a.m.) on the convention weekend. The trees will be critiqued by the headliners at a time to be announced later.

If your club is interested in participating, please send an email president.kh@bonsai-bsf.com to provide information about the tree:

Species, Size (H x W x D), Stand or mat size (H x W x D) (not required, but please let us know if you need one), and a photograph of the tree.