Winter Bonsai 2024, Kannapolis, NC (outside of Charlotte) December 7 & 8, 2024

[WavyGaby]

It would of been best to announce the new juried policy before opening sign ups for 2024. I believe it filled in one day so they probably weren't anticipating as many applicants.
Transparency for those that were auto selected would go a long way, too.

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

I was originally waitlisted, then the new juried policy was announced, I was asked for a photo and my tree was accepted. so I was one that benefited from the policy.

 

[johng]

Though I agree that was probably the trigger to moving to a juried selection process, there were 68 trees submitted. So 29 people were turned down (at least this year) - not just one or two.

I wouldn't believe everything you read....................

 

[johng]

If this move gets me to see even a couple better trees, I'm all for it ...and I reserve the right to be excited if I want to be.

Sad.

It is very sad...and unfortunate

 

[johng]

It would of been best to announce the new juried policy before opening sign ups for 2024. I believe it filled in one day so they probably weren't anticipating as many applicants.
Transparency for those that were auto selected would go a long way, too.

This is exactly the issue in my eyes... The same rules and requirements need to apply to everyone...

 

[Pitoon]

@johng did your tree not get accepted?

 

[19Mateo83]

I was originally waitlisted, then the new juried policy was announced, I was asked for a photo and my tree was accepted. so I was one that benefited from the policy.

I’m happy to see you got in! Your JBP and maple is quite impressive.

 

[WavyGaby]

I was originally waitlisted, then the new juried policy was announced, I was asked for a photo and my tree was accepted. so I was one that benefited from the policy.

Congrats. Can you show a pic of your show tree?

I had the opposite experience. I registered early then was asked to send pics of the tree I was going to show. Then, news came out about the juried selection and I was not selected. It's ok assuming other better trees were selected.

I understand there could be several reasons people may have been auto selected including the volunteership or contributions to the shows they may have provided. I'm just happy that the show exists as it had a giant impact on my desire to learn more about bonsai when I first attended in 2018. The folks planning the show probably lose money rather than making money so I am grateful.

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

I’m happy to see you got in! Your JBP and maple is quite impressive.

Thank you! The JBP is a special tree. The maple is about 8 years out from being exhibition worthy

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

Congrats. Can you show a pic of your show tree?

I had the opposite experience. I registered early then was asked to send pics of the tree I was going to show. Then, news came out about the juried selection and I was not selected. It's ok assuming other better trees were selected.

I understand there could be several reasons people may have been auto selected including the volunteership or contributions to the shows they may have provided. I'm just happy that the show exists as it had a giant impact on my desire to learn more about bonsai when I first attended in 2018. The folks planning the show probably lose money rather than making money so I am grateful.

I would prefer to not show it here so people on the forum who attend the show won’t have it spoiled for them.
@19Mateo83 did see the tree when he visited my place, he told me you guys are friends

 

[johng]

@johng did your tree not get accepted?

haha....amazingly the jury process took all of 2 minutes from the time I sent the email until I received the affirmative email reply...

 

[WavyGaby]

I would prefer to not show it here so people on the forum who attend the show won’t have it spoiled for them.
@19Mateo83 did see the tree when he visited my place, he told me you guys are friends

Thanks for sending it to me. Great tree

 

[Millard B.]

I flew up from WPB for the 2023 Winter Show to see in person if it was worth the effort to try to get in the 2024 Show as a vendor.I was told that vendor applications were going to be emailed out in the first week or two of Jan 2024 on a first come first serve basis. About the middle of Dec I got a email stating the Vendor Application was full in One Day?!?!? My girlfriend and I have been Vendors selling my stoneware bonsai pottery at the Bonsai Societies of Florida Convention in Orlando at the Florida Hotel over the Memorial Holiday at the end of May for the last seven years, the Convention was cancelled one year during the Covid outbreak. The BSF Convention gives returning vendors priority over new vendors and a discounted Table and Room price. There is way more than ample room for the various workshops, Main Bonsai Tree display, Club Tree Display, Vendor Sales Room......It is indeed a World Class Act overall. The Kannopolis Show was also a class Act overall, the small Vendor Rooms were elbow to elbow at times, I got a couple really good deals Sunday when vendors were packing up, two nice JBPs and a Sonny Boggs pot! In the Bonsai Display area there were several World Class Trees, some mediocre. A Juried Submission Process might elevate the quality of Display Trees, can't hurt. At this moment I am firing a C10 kiln full of 22 pots, unload Monday morning, fire another 3 dozen C10 and Thursday a c5 firing of black pots getting ready for the Convention in 5 weeks! I'm selling for a friend about a dozen 1970 Tokoname pots some still in boxes from Jupiter Bonsai.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Steve Zeisel just sent out an update for the show:

It may be hard to think about December when the heat index is reaching 3 digits, but the show will be here in just 5 months. Same magnificent building, hopefully same enthusiastic crowd.
On the website for the show, we now list the names of confirmed exhibitors and vendors, please let us know if something is misspelled or if vendors want a different name listed. If you are not listed on the website, you are likely on the long waiting list for a spot.
https://www.winterbonsai.net/

Additionally, it should be noted that there are still a few banquet seats open! If you were thinking of staying for the banquet, get your name in to Steve quickly. It is a great chance to mingle with the vendors and pros after the public has left the show!

Vendor	Selling
Adams, Julian	prebonsai, bonsai
Akins, Eli	bonsai containers
Barnett, Merritt	bonsai containers
Boggs, Sonny	bonsai containers
Buechele, Ken	prebonsai, bonsai
Bulluck, Dean	bonsai containers
Comstock, Mark	prebonsai, bonsai
Ekarintaragun, Pitoon	bonsai containers
Eliason, Rob	bonsai containers
Gross, Hank	prebonsai, bonsai
Hallatt, Ken	Supplies, pots, bonsai
Harrell, Dean	prebonsai, bonsai
Harrow, Jason	Supplies, pots, bonsai
Huth, Ken	prebonsai, bonsai
Kirby, James	prebonsai, bonsai
Mahler, Robert	prebonsai, bonsai
McDermott, Frank	prebonsai, bonsai containers
Mercer, Bryan	Supplies, pots, bonsai
Monetti, Gabriele	prebonsai, bonsai
Myrick, Byron	bonsai containers
Passerello, Mark	Kusamono
Rodriguez, Josue	prebonsai, bonsai
Salyer, Shannon	prebonsai, bonsai
Schmuck, Christopher
Sherrod, Tyler	Bonsai
Smith, Sean	Bonsai stands
Snow, Peggy	prebonsai, bonsai, pots
Steil, Gabriel	prebonsai, bonsai
Thomas, Brett	bonsai containers
Tolbert, Preston	bonsai containers
Tran, Dat	prebonsai, bonsai
Valavanis, William	Supplies, pots, bonsai
Veselenak, Ellen	prebonsai, bonsai
Waffa, Brad	,prebonsai, bonsai, pots
Wallace, Robert	bonsai containers
Zeisel, Susan	Quilts

 

[Sansokuu]

Is it next to impossible to vend at this show? I have inquired about vending before and only get ‘vendors are full’ emails

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Is it next to impossible to vend at this show? I have inquired about vending before and only get ‘vendors are full’ emails

It is very difficult. However, I would contact Steve Zeisel directly, explain who you are, and hope for the best.

There are a number of things going on with the show, First is the venue (amazing) but it also limits the space available for vendors. It is, after all, like having a bonsai show in a university hall versus an exhibition center. I have wondered in the past whether we could expand to tents in the parking lot, but the show is in December and even in NC December can be cold.

 

[penumbra]

Such a great show in every way. Thanks Greg.

 

[circledisk]

It is very difficult. However, I would contact Steve Zeisel directly, explain who you are, and hope for the best.

There are a number of things going on with the show, First is the venue (amazing) but it also limits the space available for vendors. It is, after all, like having a bonsai show in a university hall versus an exhibition center. I have wondered in the past whether we could expand to tents in the parking lot, but the show is in December and even in NC December can be cold.

I remember last years show was chilly and rainy, maybe we’ll get lucky this year and have warmer weather.

Could more trees be displayed upstairs on that rotunda?

 

[DogwoodApprentice]

Hi Fellow Nuts,
I'm going to be posting photos from past shows, and hopefully filming some new content with vendors and artists before the show. Starting with artists I know frequent BNut
If you'd like to follow along on Instagram as well, I'd appreciate the support @winterbonsaisilhouetteshow
Hope to see you there!
-Jacob

 

[DogwoodApprentice]

Up first is a batch of trees from John Geanangel. John's Bald Cypress were some of my favorite trees in the exhibition from last year and I'm excited to see what he'll have in store for us in 2024! @johng

Photos by Joe Noga, used with permission.