June 17, 2025

Everything you need to know for the 53rd Annual Columbus Bonsai Society Show! See you July 19-20, 2025

Last updated 6/17/2025

The outline for the weekend is included below. As we get more information, I will continue to update this page. Mark your calendars and see you there!

Sections:

  1. Event Overview
  2. Where & When!
  3. Vendors & Guest Artists in Attendance
  4. Workshop Schedule & Details
  5. Raffle and Sponsor Details
  6. Why & How to Exhibit Trees
  7. Award Categories (and Sponsors)
  8. Why & How to Volunteer
  9. Bonsai Time Podcast Interviews with CBS Show Vendors/Artists

I. Event Overview

            This year the Columbus Bonsai Society will be hosting our 53rd Annual Bonsai Show and we are once again making a big bash of it! While we have been spreading the news all around Ohio and beyond, we have also been at work behind the scenes to make this event special. For starters, we are at a new venue at . This collaboration allows us to be close to Columbus proper which will make it easier for people to get to the event and it is a highly transit-accessible location as well unlike in some years past. We also are proud to once again host many talented vendors and workshop instructors! These vendors and instructors include Rob Hoffman, Ken Huth, Mark Passerello, Ryan Huston, Jason Parrish, Kyle Boldy, Trey Gilmore, Joe Rotella, and Melissa, Sara, and Ellen from Green Witch Gardens. Visitors can also observe workshops silently at no charge. Please see all details below to register a tree to show, volunteer, donate to the raffle, join a workshop and to learn more.

II. Where & When!

            We hope to see you and your family at Contrast Church (960 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43212) on July 19-20th, 2025. Contrast Church will be a cozier venue than we had last year but we will still plan to use the space to its fullest (in progress, more details on layout to come). This location is in Grandview near both the famous Horeshoe Stadium and downtown Columbus. Limited parking is available on-site for free as well as in nearby sidestreets. If you get hungry during the show there are also many local restaurants in walking distance from this venue. As in previous years, admission to the show is totally free.

Event Schedule

Open to the Public (Exhibit, Vendors, Workshop Spectators, Raffles, and more!):

  • Saturday, 7/19/25, 10am-5pm
  • Sunday, 7/20/2025, 9am-5pm

Workshops:

  • SAT 7/19/2025
    • 10am-11am Joe Rotella / Central Ohio Ohara Ikebana - Create Your Own Japanese Flower Display
    • 11am-1pm Jason Parrish / Kawa No Oka Bonsai - Shohin Red Stem Sea Hibiscus
    • 1pm-3pm Trey Gilmore / Kota Bonsai - Hinoki Cypresses
    • 3pm-5pm Ryan Huston / In Vivo Bonsai - Wild Collected Boxwoods - Steps for Bonsai Transformation
  • SUN 7/20/2025
    • 9-11am Kyle Boldy / Pot Punching Potters - Conifer Styling - Shimpaku Juniper and Blue Atlas Cedar
    • 11am-1pm Rob Hoffman / Yume-en Bonsai - Shohin Japanese Black Pines
    • 1-3pm Ken Huth / Ken's World of Bonsai - Mugo Pines
    • 3-5pm Mark Passerrello - Beginner Dwarf Jade / Elephant Bush Repotting and Clip and Grow

Raffle Drawings:

  • 1 PM and 4PM each day.
  • Live Auction?? TBD

Setup, Tree Drop off, Tree pick up:

  • Friday, 7/18/2025, 12-6pm.
    • Initial setup only: 12-3pm
    • CBS Member Tree Dropoff: 3-6pm
    • Vendor setup available 3-6pm
    • (Please drop off all trees on Friday if possible. Tree carpooling with members in your area may be possible. If you must drop off on Saturday morning, you MUST be in contact with the tree curator so he knows what to set aside space for during Friday setup.)
  • Saturday, 7/19/2025, 8-10am.
    • Emergency tree dropoff (pre-coordinated with Bryan Six only)
    • Final setup and vendor setup.
  • Sunday, 7/20/2025, 5-7pm.
    • Tree pickup and teardown for the show.

III. Vendors & Guest Artists in Attendance

IV. Workshop Schedule & Details

        Sign up at columbusbonsai.org! - COMING SOON

Workshop registration & check-in info:

After reviewing the summary and schedule of workshops below, you can reserve your spots at the CBS web store (coming soon). Please reserve your workshop spots by Thursday 7/17/2025, as this will ensure you get the spots you want! We will be letting the vendors know how many people are registered for their workshop in advance so they can plan for the supplies they will bring as we know their space is limited. Also, If you register for a workshop after Thursday 7/17/25, your name may not make it onto the list of registered participants for check-in and you will have to bring a receipt or have one accessible in your email/phone on the day of the event for verification. If the vendor runs out of supplies, we will refund late check-ins but let's avoid that issue if possible. On the day of the event, remaining workshop spots may still be purchased online through the CBS online store or via cash/check on the day of the event, with a receipt at the workshop check-in station. Late availability is not guaranteed. Contact our treasurer/workshop coordinator with any questions – Ryan / invivobonsai @ gmail.com. Lastly, CBS Members receive a discount compared to non-members. You can join CBS here. Membership will be verified at workshop check-in.

Workshop Schedule and Info:

  1. Saturday 7/19/25
    1. 10:00 AM -11:00 AM - Create Your Own Japanese Flower Display (Ikebana) with Joe Rotella [All levels] Sign up here.
      1. CBS Members: $??/person, non-members: $??/person; limit 10 participants.
      2. Learn the art of Japanese Flower Arrangement and take home your own display and supplies.
      3. Students do not need to bring anything.
    2. 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM - Shohin Red Stem Sea Hibiscus with Jason Parrish / Kawa No Oka Bonsai [Indoor; All levels] Sign up here.
      1. CBS Members: $72/person, non-members: $78/person; limit 10 participants.
      2. We will be repotting from nursery pots into bonsai pots and doing an initial styling on a shohin-size red stem sea hibiscus. Beginners welcome. The trees can be kept indoors year-round if desired.
      3. Students should bring tools and wire. Some basic CBS pruning shears are available to loan if needed.
    3. 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM - "Sekka" Hinoki Cypress with Trey Gilmore / Kota Bonsai [Outdoor; All levels] Sign up here.
      1. CBS Members: $110, non-members: $120; limit 10 participants. Participants should bring tools and wire if you have them but not necessary.
      2.  Learn the general tips and tricks of Hinoki, while styling and pruning a sought-after cultivar - 'Sekka' hinoki cypress, as outdoor bonsai trees. 
      3. Students should bring tools and wire.  Trey will have aluminum wire to use, but copper would be an additional charge. Some basic CBS pruning shears are available to loan if needed.
    4. 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM - Wild Collected Boxwoods - Steps for Bonsai Transformation with Ryan Huston / In Vivo Bonsai [Outdoor; All levels] Sign up here.
      1. A variety of trees are available and priced according to trunk size (years in the ground) and development stage. See pictures of each tier below the descriptions. Limit of 10 total participants.
        1. Tier 1 (1-2 years post-dig, future shohin or slightly larger): $66/person. 5 available.
        2. Tier 2 (1 year post-dig, larger trunks so larger final designs): $127/person. 3 available.
        3. Tier 3 (3-years post-dig with annual pruning to get foliage closer to its XL trunk, styling now within reach): $385, 1 available.
        4. Tier 4 (4 years post-dig, styling and deadwood carving already started and potted in a tokonama pot. XL trunk. Now this tree needs continued pruning to develop foliage pads and select branch lines where desired): $660, 1 available.
        5. Bring Your Own Boxwood: $30. 3 available.
      2. Participants choose between various wild-collected yamadori boxwoods. These landscaping shrubs make for great bonsai due to their small leaves but it takes some careful pruning to get them reduced in size while surviving the operation. Using trees dug in the past 1-4 years, you will learn how to prune them with confidence to promote backbudding and airflow as well as how much foliage is okay to remove. We can also advance into wiring and deadwood techniques if time allows or discuss those ideas for future stylings.
      3. Students should bring bonsai tools and wire if available. Loaner pruning shears can be provided as well as wire, wire cutters, manual deadwood tools etc if needed.
  1. Sunday 7/20/25
    1. 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Conifer Styling - Shimpaku Juniper and Blue Atlas Cedars with Kyle Boldy / Pot Punching Potters [Outdoor; all levels] Sign up here.
      1. Juniper S $83, Juniper M - $165, Juniper L $248, Blue Atlas Cedar $100.
      2. Learn to wire and prune various types of conifer bonsai trees.
      3. Students should bring tools and wire. Some basic CBS pruning shears are available to loan if needed.






    2. 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM - Japanese Black Pine Workshop with Rob Hoffman / Yume-en Bonsai [Outdoor; All levels] Sign up here.
      1. CBS Members: $83/person, non-members: $90/person; limit 10 participants. Participants should bring tools and wire.
      2. Learn how to take care of and style Japanese Black Pines.
    3. 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM - Mugo Pines with Ken Huth / Kens World of Bonsai [Outdoor; All levels] Sign up here.
      1. CBS Members: $44/person, non-members: $48/person; limit 10 participants.
      2. We will trim some and wire as much as wanted.
      3. Steel wire and some aluminum wire will be provided but participants should bring their own tools and preferred wire. Some basic CBS pruning shears are available to loan if needed.
      5. 03:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Dwarf Jade / Elephant Bush Repotting and Clip and Grow with Mark Passerrello / Ancient Art Bonsai [Indoor; Beginners]. Sign up here.
        1. CBS Members: $72/person, non-members: $78/person; limit 10 participants.
        2. Participants will receive a plant, artisan pot, soil, and other supplies plus a set of shears to keep + "expert" instructions on creating and caring for Portulacaria bonsai especially emphasizing clip and grow maintenance.
        3. Students don't need to bring anything! Tools provided.

    V. Raffle Details

                Raffle tickets will be available for purchase throughout the weekend for a variety of
    items including pots, trees, and tools. The various raffle items were generously donated by CBS members, vendors, and local businesses. The CBS Fundraiser Raffle is sponsored by the following local businesses:

    Vendor sponsors
                Raffle drawings will take place at the CBS booth at 1 PM and 4:00 PM each day. The exact item list and schedule for drawings will be available at the raffle table at the show. We would prefer items be picked up on the same day or before the end of the show, but if necessary, winners may be able to pick up items at a future CBS meeting. Our raffle manager will contact the winners to arrange pickup. Lastly, contact us (columbusbonsai @ gmail.com) if you would like to join the sponsor/donor list!

    VI. How to Exhibit Trees

                Exhibiting your bonsai is a great exercise as it encourages you to think differently especially surrounding long-term preparations, display ideas, and short-term actions you can take to maximize your aesthetic goals. All CBS members are eligible to enter a tree into our show. If you are a paid-up member for 2024, please search in your inbox for the information from our tree curator regarding how to submit. You can also contact him directly at Bryansix52oh @gmail.com.
    • Tree drop-off to the visitor center will be 3pm-6pm Friday and 8am-10am (preferably on the earlier side!) Saturday. Saturday drop-offs must be communicated to Bryan in advance.
    • Tree pick-up will be 5pm-6:30pm Sunday.

    VII. Award Categories (and Sponsors)

    • TBA

    VIII. Why and How to Volunteer?

                Volunteering is a wonderful way to get involved in the local bonsai scene and to get to know the knowledgeable local artists who can help you on your bonsai journey. We need help with the raffle table, educational tree docents/security, and vendor/workshop assistants. Thanks to everyone who helps make the show happen! To get your name added on the volunteer list, sign up for your preferred shift (coming soon) or contact Josh, our new volunteer coordinator Tinyoja @gmail.com.

    • Volunteers will be needed for set up, Friday 12pm-6pm and Saturday 8am-10am.
    • Volunteers will be needed throughout the show 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday.
    • Lastly, volunteers are needed for tear-down on Sunday, 5pm-7pm.

    IX. Bonsai Time Podcast Interviews with CBS Show Guest Artists

                Kevin and Ryan have had the opportunity to interview a few of the upcoming 53rd CBS Show guest artists and we hope to add more each year! You can hear their stories below ahead of the show and find other recent episodes of the "Bonsai Time Podcast" on your preferred podcast app.
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