NABF Newsletter #9

Special Issue on 5th World Bonsai Convention

This -- the 9th issue of the NABF Newsletter -- is a special issue devoted to the upcoming 5th World Bonsai Convention (5th WBC) to be held in Washington, D.C. on May 28-31, 2005, including news about the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum which will be showcased during the 5th WBC.

As the second year of publishing this Newsletter comes to a close, I wish to thank all of the Regional Editors who have brought you the first 8 issues of the Newsletter.  Due to their knowledge and tenacity, the Newsletter has been able to rotate its quarterly focus through almost all of the bonsai regions of North America, including Canada and the Carribean, bringing to you through this easily-accessible media the bonsai history of each of these regions and current perspectives on what is happening today in these regions. Just click on "Newsletter" above to see the regions and topics covered in these first 8 issues, which began with a heart-felt tribute to the late, great John Naka (which was published while John was living, to his delight).

I also want to thank Craig Hunt, the new WBFF/NABF Webmaster who has done a masterful job assuming this critical role on behalf of the bonsai community.  In addition to being Webmaster for the National Bonsai Foundation's website, Craig is very busy managing 3 different websites for WBFF and NABF, which currently entails:  (1) periodically updating the WBFF website to report bonsai news from the 9 regions of WBFF around the world; (2) constantly expanding the 5th WBC website as the plans are finalized for the convention; and (3) each quarter pulling together this Newsletter working with different Regional Editors each time.

The theme of the 5th WBC is "Bringing the World Together Through Bonsai."  Underscoring this theme is the remarkable collaborative effort underway to support this convention and keep the cost of attending as low as possible:

The 5th WBC will be held under the auspices of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, hosted by the North American Bonsai Federation, and sponsored by the American Bonsai Society, Bonsai Clubs International, the National Bonsai Foundation, the Potomac Bonsai Association and the U.S. National Arboretum.

Major patrons of the 5th WBC have included Mr. and Mrs. Daizo Iwasaki from Japan, Mr. and Mrs. I.C. Su from Taiwan, and the U.S. National Arboretum
(see http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/nabf/newsletter7/honorroll.pdf ).

The Bonsai No Kokoro Alliance has been formed by individuals willing to donate at least $1,000 to support the 5th WBC
(see http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/nabf/newsletter7/honorroll.pdf ).

All kinds of bonsai- and viewing stone-related items are being donated for the auctions and drawings to be held during the 5th WBC.

The Co-Chairs of the 5th WBC, Jack Sustic and Glenn Reusch, are working hard everyday along with their 5th WBC Committee to make this world convention one that you will not soon forget.

The result of this magnificent collaboration is that the 5th WBC will offer, among other things, (a) an opening video honoring WBFF founders Saburo Kato and the late John Naka, (b) outstanding speakers and workshop leaders who will be coming to Washington from 6 continents, (c) great exhibitions of bonsai, viewing stones and pots, (d) enticing vendors from both North America and abroad, (e) terrific choices of programs, demonstrations and workshops that will appeal to everyone's interest, and (f) fun-filled evenings of receptions and banquets.

In this issue:

• Feature #1 by Jack Sustic gives a general update on the plans for the 5th WBC;  
  
  
• Feature #2 by Jim Hughes discusses the WBFF World Bonsai Contest (from which the 100 top photos will be on display at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum during the 5th WBC and the top 3 winners will be announced at the Sunday banquet to be held at the U.S. National Arboretum);  
  
  
• Feature #3 by Jack Douthitt describes the Joshua Roth New Talent Contest (which will be conducted during the 5th WBC);  
  
  
• Feature #4 by Young Choe, with photos supplied by Keiko Yamane, covers the exciting art of Kusamono (on which Mrs. Yamane will lead 2 workshops during the 5th WBC);  
  
  
• Feature #5 is a gallery of images from the annual Winter Silhouettes Exhibition at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum (photos supplied by Michael James, Assistant Curator for Art Collections and Archives); and
  
  
• Feature #6 by Andy Rutledge explains how to tell a compelling story with your bonsai displays.

NABF thanks the National Bonsai Foundation for allowing NABF to republish in this Newsletter the articles by Jack Sustic and Jim Hughes (Features # 1 & 2) which recently appeared in the NBF Bulletin.

IMPORTANT 5th WBC INFORMATION:

1. (1)  The workshop application form is now available for you to sign up for the wonderful workshops being offered during the 5th WBC, and so please fill it out and mail it in as soon as possible. The workshops will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.
   
   
2. (2)  The deadline for filing your exhibit application forms to enter items in the Exhibitions of Bonsai, Viewing Stones and Pots has been extended to March 15, 2005.

Happy New Year!

Felix Laughlin
NABF President