The 46th Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition was sponsored by the Midwest Bonsai Society. It was held at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois, on August 16-18, 2024 and is one of the largest regional bonsai shows in the nation. I have exhibited and sold bonsai in every one of the 46 shows, and in my opinion the tree quality has significantly improved throughout the decades, but took a giant leap forward this year with many refined developed bonsai displays.
Approximately 100 bonsai were beautifully displayed by bonsai practioners from many states, they all had including accessories. Jack Sustic was the guest artist and judge for the weekend. Thang Dinh was the top award winner in the open division with a refined Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine. During set up of the show a large prominent display table featured his bonsai.
After judging his award winning tree was moved into the center of the room in an alcove. He did not want to leave the table empty so he returned home to pick up about six fine-quality from his collection to fill the table. Tim Priest won the first place award in the professional division with a large impressive Rocky Mountain juniper bonsai.
Additionally, there were workshops, demonstrations as well as two courtyards filled with over 30 vendors. About 40 world class bonsai from the world-class permanent collection of the Chicago Botanic Garden were displayed in two outdoor courtyards. Curator of the bonsai collection, Chris Baker, has done an excellent job maintaining, refinement and promoting bonsai art in one of the largest prestigious botanical gardens in the United States.
