Brian Ciskowski is the co-owner of Cass Bonsai Gardens LLC in Edwardsville, Illinois. He has been a consistent presence at the Mid-American Bonsai shows for many years. In addition to his work with bonsai, Brian is a third-generation nurseryman, specializing in the design of oriental gardens.

DaSu Bonsai Studios was started in 1981 when Dave Lowman decided to make use of a small greenhouse attached to his house. Dave majored in horticulture and agriculture in college, has a deep interest in art and the philosophies of the East, so Bonsai was a natural choice. The studio has grown through the years to include pottery hand built in our pottery studio, imported items, a full supply of books and tools, watergarden design along with Koi, fossil fish art, and water plants.

Andy Smith is a professional forester who discovered the beauty of bonsai through his travels among the trees in South Dakota. He is the proprietor of Golden Arrow Bonsai which deals in native bonsai material collected in the wild.

Literati Design is run by Lala Pasternak and Steve Selzer. They specialize in tropical and finished sized trees, bringing many specimens up from Florida for sale in our area every year.

Dave Knittle, past owner of Tansu, is a wood-worker who will be bringing high quality stands, display tables and other display accessories for sale at the show

Mike Hansen owns and operates MBP Bonsai Studio with his wife, Candy, in Pflugerville, Texas. Mike is very active conducting workshops and classes throughout the country. Mike and Candy have been show contributors for many years. They unfortunately have to cancel their appearance here this year, but look for them again in May, 2012.

Meehan's Miniatures is co owned by Martha Meehan and her husband Hugh. Martha has been teaching bonsai for 25 years and puts out an online newsletter for their website. Her first bonsai was a mame Nematanthus Wetstienii, for which she won a blue ribbon. She has been a master judge for the American Gesneriad Society.

Nature's Way Bonsai in Pennsylvania specializes in dwarf conifers, Japanese maples, perennials and a complete line of bonsai and Japanese garden accessories. Owned by Jim Doyle; Jim is an active teacher and lecturer and offers a wide selection of workshops, lectures, and demonstrations at his nursery.

Sara Rayner's Bonsai Pottery - Sara has been a full time contemporary potter in Red Wing, MN for over 32 years, but for the past 17 years has solely made bonsai containers. All pots are hand thrown and altered on a potters wheel, and are made of high quality stoneware clays.

The International Bonsai Arboretum was established by William N. Valavanis to promote the horticultural and artistic aspects of classical bonsai art. Bonsai artist, educator, and scholar, Mr. Valavanis has been studying bonsai for over 40 years and freely shares his knowledge, techniques, and art on an international scale. International BONSAI, the quarterly publication of Mr. Valavanis, has been published for 30 years and reaches bonsai enthusiasts around the world.

TREE-HAVEN, Warren Hill's School of Bonsai is located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains near the picturesque and historic town of Greeneville, Tennessee. Warren Hill is a past curator of bonsai at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington, D.C., and widely known guest lecturer. He will be bringing primarily finished trees for sale.

WIld Things Bonsai Studio, is the website and home of the Ohio-based potter and bonsai artist Dale Cochoy. Dale Cochoy specializes in power tools and custom dies for carving jin and shari, and he is an accomplished potter whose work is highly sought after.

Frank Mihalic and his father Tony have developed Wildwood Gardens in Ohio into a thriving bonsai business through their many years of teaching and growing outstanding stock, with an emphasis on variety. They have been teaching bonsai for many years and have been supporting the Mid-America Bonsai Exhibit since its beginning more than thirty years ago.