2015 Mid-America Bonsai Exhibit Review

September 13, 2015

Couldn't make it to the 2015 Mid-America Bonsai Exhibit? Attended, but pictures didn't come out well? Our review and highlights of this year's exhibit is now available.

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May Show, it's a Wrap! August Exhibition, Prep-work Beginning!

about a week ago

Thanks to all our vendors, volunteers, and visitors that came out this past weekend to the 19th Annual May Exhibit!

The society shifts focus now to prepare for our larger August Exhibition. Begin preparing your trees now, as the 47th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition will be here before you know it, being held August 15-17 at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Keep checking our website for updates as we confirm our vendors, schedule workshops, and provide details on how you can register your tree for the exhibition! Details are posted as they become available, to our dedicated page for the August Exhibition. Hope to see you at the Exhibition!

19th Annual May Bonsai Exhibit May 17-18 - Update

about a month ago

Our May Exhibit is quickly approaching, and Burnstein Hall as well as the hallway will be full with vendors. We have a great selection of tree, pot and scroll vendors at this year’s May Exhibit. If you'll be busy repotting tropical trees, you will not want to miss our Spring Show. Additionally, BC Bonsai will be doing Saturday and Sunday workshops, Kawa No Oka Bonsai will be doing Saturday and Sunday afternoon workshops, and Water's Edge Bonsai will be doing a Sunday morning workshop. Please see our May Exhibit page for more details!

Chicago Chapter Meeting Schedule for 2025

about 3 months ago

Due to Garfield Park Conservatory scheduling issues, the Chicago Bonsai Club, a chapter of the Midwest Bonsai Society, will be held on the 3rd Monday of every month, beginning March 17 at 6 p.m.

There will be senior members available to answer your questions and provide assistance, so bring a tree to work on.

More details are available on our Chicago Chapter page.

2025 General Meeting Agendas Released!

about 3 months ago

The MBS board is happy to announce the full agenda of all 2025 General Society Meetings. We’re excited to invite a number of talented bonsai artists to our meetings this year, interspersed with hands-on events where you can participate with other members to create bonsai.

Details on each meeting are available on our Meetings page - please keep an eye here for any last-minute changes as each meeting gets closer.

We hope to see you there!

February General Meeting -

about 3 months ago

Our first general meeting of 2025, we are excited to host Don Lindstom February 3rd at 7 PM at the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Don Lindstrom is a 30 year veteran of Bonsai art. After 6 yrs, he was able to spend time working at Brussels Bonsai Nursery in Mississippi as well as visiting artist at Nature's Way in Pennsylvania with Jim Doyle. After that he returned to his Chicago suburban home and achieved professional awards at The Midwest show and also BCI conferences along with two Joshua Roth New Talent competitions.

Annual Holiday Party - December 11th

about 6 months ago

Join us for our annual Holiday Party, to be held December 11th at the Heller Nature Center. Bring a dish to share, drinks will be provided by the society.

More details are available on our Holiday Party page.

The event always proves to be a hit - we look forward to seeing you there!

2025 General Meeting Dates Released

about 6 months ago

While the bonsai season has wound-down, we’re already busy planning next year’s activities - including our General Meeting dates.

Please see our Meetings page for more detail on all of our meeting dates and times. Our General Meetings run monthly from February through November at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Hope to see you there!

46th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition - Only 12 days Away!

about 10 months ago

Been at the Chicago Botanic Garden recently? You might have seen the signage in the entrance to the Visitor’s Center inviting guests to attend the 46th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, August 16-18th.

It’s not too late to prepare your trees for exhibition! Looking to build your skills, sign-up for one of our many vendor-led workshops across different styles and species of tree. And of course, your support in volunteering your time helps our exhibition run smoothly!

All details about the Exhibition are available on our August Exhibition page. We hope to see you there!

August General Meeting Program Announced

about 10 months ago

Join us August 5th at the Chicago Botanic Garden for our next General Meeting, focused on preparations for the upcoming August Exhibition. More details are available on our Meetings page. We hope to see you there!

Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM: Bonsai 101 Program: “Volunteer Roles for August Exhibit" presented by Robert Wright.
7:30 PM General Program: “Preparing Your Tree for Displaying at the August Exhibit” presented by Victor Zurczak.

July General Meeting Program Announced

about 11 months ago

The Society’s July General Meeting program has been announced - Join us on July 1st in the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden at 7:00 PM for our Bonsai 101 Program “Accent Plants and Pots” presented Judy Doll. At 7:30 PM our main General Program “Bonsai Tree Styles” will be presented by Linda Camp.

As always, feel free to bring trees to review with senior members for styling advice.

We hope to see you there!