Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Dave Kreutz will lead a program on azaleas
Dave specializes in design, care and feeding of azaleas. He will bring some trees for sale, and we will auction off the azalea from his demonstration. If there are any questions on azaleas, Dave is the man!
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Phil Maliot presentation on wiring specimen trees!
Phil, a well-known local bonsai artist, will present on wiring, raffia, and the use of guy wires on a specimen tree. The proper use of wires and the bending of your plant is essential for the health and development of a bonsai. This tree will be auctioned at a later general meeting.
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Prepare your tress for our August Exhibition!
Due to the proximity to the August Show, we encourage members to bring in their trees for a complete evaluation by Victor Zurzcak, Matt Mazza, Larry Magee, and Elle Nieto-Brodnick. This will be a working session, so please bring your trees, tools, and wire to work on your trees as the others are being evaluated. There will be carts and members to help transfer your trees from the parking lot to and from the meeting.
Note: This meeting is occurring the second, not the first, Monday of the month due to the holiday
Location: Learning Campus - Classroom TBD
7:00 PM - Chris Baker returns for a demo on rock plantings!
Don’t miss this presentation; this incorporates all phases of rock planting from selection, carving, muck preparation, mounting and dressing. Proper rock planting techniques are crucial in supporting the health and vigor of your trees.
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Back by popular demand “Iron Bonsai” returns to the MBS!
Victor, Matt, and Larry will meet again in the Thunder Dome (Burnstein Hall) to face off to make a bonsai from nursery stock right in front of your eyes! Who will be the new owner of the title Iron Bonsai for 2026? The three trees will be purchased from Brussels Nursery in Mississippi, transformed before your eyes, and auctioned at the end of the allotted time. Last year was classic and we’re looking forward to another great presentation. Please, no wagering!
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Winter care with Jason Davis
Jason David, representing Prairie State Bonsai, will present ‘Winter Care.” If you want to keep your trees happy and healthy during their long winter nap, don’t miss this meeting.
Note: Meeting date is moved due to visiting artist and program
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Guest Artist Mauro Stemberger performs an initial styling on a tree!
We are excited to bring Mauro in for a demonstration on a tree from initial approach, design, wiring, questions and answers - don’t miss this meeting! Mauro is one of the leading Bonsai artists renowned worldwide. Mauro’s tree will be auctioned off at the completion of his demonstration!
Description: Style a Shohin Shimpaku Juniper. Wire will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring tools if they already have them.
Registration and Materials Fee: $81.88
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
Limit: 8 students
Register securely at EventBrite
Description: Join BC Bonsai to perform styling of Chinese Sweet Plum trees. These cold-hardy trees (protect in your garage over winter), feature small leaves, yellow flowers, and small sweet plum fruits.
Registration and Materials Fee: $81.88
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
Limit: 8 students
Register securely at EventBrite
Description: This workshop will include the initial styling of a Willow Leaf Ficus. Basic bonsai tools will be required, including tools to repot, such as root hook and root pruning scissors.
Registration and Materials Fee: $97.88
Skill Level: Intermediate
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
Limit: 8 students
Register securely at EventBrite
Description: Bald Cypress in 8” pot. First styling of this tree, you’ll receive help selecting the branches and style.
Registration and Materials Fee: $81.88
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
Limit: 8 students
Register securely at EventBrite
Description: Bring your Own Tree Workshop with Victor Zurczak. Victor has been studying bonsai since 1999, having since taken over 40 workshops with national and international bonsai artists. Come learn new and useful techniques from Victor, whose trees have won many awards, including Best in Show at the 2025 Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition.
Registration and Materials Fee: $60.54
Skill Level: Any
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
Limit: 8 students
Register securely at EventBrite
Note: This meeting is occurring the second, not the first, Monday of the month due to the holiday
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Chris Baker (curator of the Botanic Garden Bonsai Collection) will do a “bring in your trees for evaluation”
We encourage members to bring in one of their trees for a thorough evaluation and potential suggestions for design and development improvements. There will be members with carts assisting members that bring trees from and back to the parking lot.
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Linda Camp does a demonstration on the techniques of forest planting
Linda brings a host of knowledge from her years at BC Bonsai and is an accomplished bonsai artist, nursery owner, and teacher.
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
7:00 PM - Bonsai 101
7:30 PM - Main program, topic TBD
Program: Victor Zurczak will close out our year with a presentation on overwintering bonsai and the best work to do on your hardy bonsai during the cold season. This program is essential to fully allow your tree to rest comfortably during the winter months and respond vigorously come springtime.
This will also be our annual membership sale/swap meet, so bring anything you might like to trade or sell.
Location: Burnstein Hall, Regenstein Center
Program: Phil Mahliot, a leading bonsai artist in the Chicagoland area will take us through the process of determining a style for a difficult tree. Members are encouraged to bring that difficult tree and let Phil suggest a route to a bonsai.
Location: Pullman Room, Regenstein Center
Program: Victor Zurczak returns to cover fall care and needle pruning of pines, this technique is necessary to maintain the health of your tree and creating your desired style. If you are raising pines or considering adding them to your collection don’t miss this program.
Location: Classroom #2, Learning Campus
Description: Design and wiring of collected conifers. A variety of collected trees will be available for purchase from Golden Arrow Bonsai for use in the workshop. Prices will vary, starting at around $100. Students should bring tools and wire - preferably copper (#16 to #6) or aluminum (2mm to 6mm). Wire is available for purchase if needed. Students may bring their own conifer/pine instead of purchasing with Andy's prior approval.
Registration and Materials Fee: $75 registration + separate purchase of tree directly from Golden Arrow Bonsai at the exhibition.
Skill Level: All
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Join Jason Parrish and perform a repotting and initial styling of of a Willow Leaf Ficus. The tree, a plastic training pot, and soil will be provided. Students should bring bonsai tools, as well as wire (1mm to 4 mm). Wire will be for sale if needed. Additionally, students may bring a 6” pot if they would prefer to pot directly into a ceramic pot of their choosing.
Registration and Materials Fee: $100
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Location: Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: A unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jonas Dupuich. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $85
Skill Level: All
Location: Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Style unique Chinese Elms with Linda Camp of BC Bonsai. Chinese Elm are a deciduous tree that are cold-hardy, with nice fall interest and lovely serrated foliage. The trees like full to partial sun and moderate water and fertilizer. Trees are cold-hardy zones 5-9. Students should bring tools if they have them. Wire will be provided.
Registration and Materials Fee: $110
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Style a Jacqueline Hiller Elm (Ulmus elgantisma) with Dave Lowman of DaSu Bonsai Studio. Trees are in one gallon containers and should be replanted next spring by students. Students should bring tools and wire, though wire likely not required.
Registration and Materials Fee: $85
Skill Level: All
Location: Classroom in the Visitor Center
Limit: 8 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Complementary wine and beer and soft drinks start at 5:00. The dinner is informal and will consist of ordered-in food. An amazing silent auction and raffle will be held during the dinner. The raffle will be for the tree styled by Guest Master Jonas Dupuich in the Saturday afternoon demonstration. The silent auction will be for items donated by our fabulous vendors and club members. Note that the dinner is open to members and non-members alike!
Location: Heller Nature Center in Highland Park (just minutes from the Garden)
Cost: $18
Limit: 35 attendees
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Guest Master Jonas Dupuich will perform a styling of a Deciduous tree as it begins its journey to become a bonsai!
Registration Fee: Free
Skill Level: All
Location: Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center
No registration required!
Description: Join Jason Parrish and perform a repotting and initial styling of of a Red Stem Sea Hibiscus. The tree, a plastic training pot, and soil will be provided. Students should bring bonsai tools, as well as wire (1mm to 4 mm). Wire will be for sale if needed. Additionally, students may bring a 6” pot if they would prefer to pot directly into a ceramic pot of their choosing.
Registration and Materials Fee: $90
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Location: Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Learn about care and styling of a Japanese Black Pine. Participants should bring their own tools and copper wire, as well as a notebook and pencil for taking notes.
Registration and Materials Fee: $125
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 10
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Join Mark Fields of Bonsai by fields in styling one gallon Itoigawa Juniper with twisted trunks. Mark will provide students with instructions for aftercare.
Registration and Materials Fee: $150
Skill Level: Intermediate
Location: Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: A unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jonas Dupuich. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $85
Skill Level: All
Location: Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Tour the Chicago Botanic Garden’s bonsai collection with Chris Baker, curator, as he leads a walking tour around the two display courtyards and shares insights for the trees on display.
Registration Fee: Free
Limit: 12 students
Location: Meet in Burnstein Hall, Regenstein Center
No pre-registration required - limited to first 12 participants!
Description: Portulacaria Afra, five-tree forest planting class. Included - 5 Portulacaria trees, 7” ceramic pot, soil and wire. Please bring your own tools (pruners and/or cutters)
Registration and Materials Fee: $100
Skill Level: Beginner
Location: Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Perform styling on Trident Maples under the instruction of Linda Camp of BC Bonsai. The trees are in three gallon pots. Students should bring tools if they have them. Wire will be provided.
Registration and Materials Fee: $155
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
Register securely via Eventbrite!
Description: Join guest master Jonas Dupuich for a review and critique of select trees at the Exhibition. The Exhibition hall is closed to the public during this critique.
Registration Fee: $25
Skill Level: All
Location: Nichols Hall, Regenstein Center
Register securely via Eventbrite!
