Last weekend four bonsai societies worked together to present their 2nd Annual Open Event “The Art of Bonsai” exhibition and sale at the Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. Members from the Bergen, Deep Cut, Great Swamp and Pennsylvania Bonsai Societies sponsored the exhibition which was a huge success!
Under the leadership of Bob Entrekin, the exhibition was superb and well done with class. Of course, the special black backgrounds with blue tablecloths were perfectly ironed with invisible seams. Members from all the societies made the several hundred visitors welcome and answered questions from the public as well as from bonsai hobbyists. All the labels and signs were professionally produced as well as unusual award plaques.
The stars of the exhibition were about 45 fine bonsai from the local members as well as others from Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut. Many of the distinctives bonsai were well refined and would be suitable for display in the National Bonsai Exhibition. This year the organizers emphasized the bonsai display compositions, as well as the individual beauty of each tree. All the bonsai were well spaced, sitting on display tables with accessory plantings. Several hanging scrolls were used to enhance the beauty of the trees and suggest seasonality.
There were 14 vendors offering pre-bonsai, containers, nursery stock, soil and supplies as well as several high-end masterpiece bonsai for sale. The vendors were arranged around the perimeter of the exhibition, so they felt an important part of the event, because they truly are. A great number of members as well as the public travel to exhibitions, just to purchase trees and supplies which are not readily available
A raffle of an aged Japanese black pine was held as well as a silent and live auction to help provide financial support. There was NO entry fee as the societies were more interested in introducing the public to the art as well as to showcase the many masterpiece bonsai. The Gold Sponsors, Silver Sponsors as well as donors added significantly to help pay for the rental of the room and display backgrounds, frames and tablecloths. Several members brought some of their own display tables to share with others to make a more beautiful exhibition.
Bonsai fanciers from around the northeast traveled, through hours of heavy traffic of visitors going to the New Jersey Coast. It took us nine hours to get to the exhibit on Friday afternoon, and five and a half to return home on Sunday evening. It was so nice to see and spend some time with long-time friends as well as making new friendships. Sharing the knowledge and techniques of bonsai is always freely given. The weather was beautiful, and many volunteers helped the vendors and exhibitors set up and take down.
On Saturday afternoon friends Marc Arpag and Brandon Herwick assisted me as we created the beginning design of a Trident maple forest, which might just become an excellent future bonsai with a few years.
On Sunday afternoon I conducted a constructive critique of each bonsai discussing the design, health, training, history and commented on their display compositions. Special effort was made to highlight the appreciation of each tree. There is more to the art of bonsai than growing and training a tree in a pot in your back yard, cleaning it and placing it on display tables. It was quite obvious that each exhibitor took pride in their artistry and took considerable effort and thought on how to best display their beautiful bonsai, both to the public as well as seasoned bonsai artists. One entire row was dedicated to novices just beginning their journey into the art.
Next year the sponsoring societies are thinking of moving the dates of the exhibition to October to avoid crowded roadways and peak accommodation costs. Personally, I have organized over 100 exhibitions, symposia and bonsai conventions. Additionally, I have been to many, many bonsai exhibitions around the world and truly was impressed with the New Jersey Bonsai Exhibition and Sale. Congratulations to all the organizers, society members, exhibitors and vendors who worked together to raise the level of bonsai. I look forward to what the next exhibition brings.
