World’s Foremost Bonsai Masters
Demonstrate Expertise at 5th World Bonsai Convention
Washington, D.C. -- The 2005 World Bonsai Convention, scheduled for May 28-31, 2005 will
offer the rare opportunity to see many of the world’s foremost bonsai and penjing masters
demonstrate their expert techniques. In addition to workshops conducted by these outstanding
practitioners, informative lectures will be given on bonsai, viewing stones, and pots.
The convention will feature the following bonsai experts:
Jim Barrett - USA
Jim has been a featured speaker at many conventions and has worked for many bonsai
associations. He is past president of Bonsai Clubs International, the first president of Golden
State Bonsai Federation, the founding president of the Santa Anita Bonsai Society and currently
serves on the American Bonsai Society's board of directors.
Lindsay Bebb - Australia
Lindsay Bebb has been practicing bonsai since 1970 and since 1977 has operated his own bonsai
nursery in Brisbane, Australia. He is a full-time bonsai nurseryman, artist, and an international
demonstrator and presenter. His previous and current honorary positions include President,
Bonsai Society of Queensland 1980 - 1992; President, Australian Associated Bonsai Clubs 1991
- 2002; President, Queensland Nursery Industry Association 1994 - 1996; Director and later 1st
Vice President, BCI 1996 - 2001; and is currently a Director and Secretary of WBFF and
Executive Advisor of the Board of Asia-Pacific Bonsai & Suiseki Federation.
Charles Ceronio - South Africa
Charles Ceronio started growing bonsai in 1968. In 1969 he co-founded, and is the current
President of the Pretoria Bonsai Kai. He also served as Chairman of both the Provincial and the
South African Bonsai Association. In 1999, he published his book Bonsai Styles of the World,
regarded as the bonsai bible on styles. In 1999 and 2000, two of Charles' trees were selected to
represent the 100 best trees in the world at the JAL World Bonsai Contest held under the
auspices of the Nippon Bonsai Association.
Thomas Elias - USA
Dr. Thomas S. Elias is the Director of the U. S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., and
plays a key role in the development and oversight of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. He
is a writer and frequent contributor to Bonsai Magazine and the National Bonsai Foundation's
Bulletin. He has written 17 papers and a book chapter on bonsai-related matters. He also serves
as International Consultant to the World Bonsai Friendship Federation and is on the editorial
board for Bonsai Clubs International.
Luis Ricardo Garcia - Venezuela
In 1998, Garcia enrolled in the bonsai program at the Sociedad Conservacionista y de Bonsai in
Valencia, Venezuela, and subsequently proceeded through all levels. In 2000, he became an
instructor of the SCB at the Advanced Level, and in 2001 he was elected 1st Vice–President of
the SCB. In 2001, he won first prize in the Latin American "Pedro J. Morales" Contest of Bonsai
for his Ficus pumila forest of 101 trees. That forest was classified as one of the three best bonsai
in the world for the year. In 2002, he received two recognitions during the 3rd International
Convention of Bonsai. Garcia has written "Bonsai, Surface of the Soil" and "Bonsai with Nursery
Plants." He also created the illustrations for Pedro J. Morales's book entitled "Basic Lessons of
Bonsai.”
Gadiel Gonzalez, Jr. - Puerto Rico
Gadiel Gonzáles began his bonsai studies under the supervision of Hugo Storer in Puerto Rico in
1981. He later became a member of the Puerto Rico Bonsai Club, and went through his various
courses to achieve the classification of “Master” in 1992. In 1992 and 1993, he was the
Executive Director of the Puerto Bonsai Club, as well as the President of the Club’s Judgment
Committee and Education Committee. Gadiel participated as a demonstrator in the first Latin-
American Convention in San Juan in 1994, the International Convention of Bonsai Clubs
International (BCI ’98) in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1998, the 5th Asia & Pacific Convention in
Taipei, Taiwan in 1999, and the first International Bonsai Weekend in San Juan in 2001. In 2000,
he was granted the Second Place Pedro Morales Award, given by Bonsai Clubs International,
and in 2001, one of his bonsai was selected as one of the 100 best in the JAL World Bonsai
Contest.
Guy Guidry - USA
From the New Orleans area, Guy has been practicing bonsai for over 20 years, and credits his
mentor, Vaughn Banting, for developing his formidable skills. For the past 9 years, he has been
owner and operator of Bonsai Northshore, a nursery specializing in mainly large specimen trees.
He has traveled extensively throughout the US and abroad giving lectures and demonstrations.
Several of Guy's trees can be viewed at different museums and in various private collections in
the USA.
Kemin Hu - China & USA
Kemin Hu is the author of two books: "The Spirit of Gongshi: Chinese Scholar's Rocks" and
"Scholar's Rocks in Ancient China - Suyuan Stone Catalogue." Both books have successfully
helped spread the appreciation of Scholar's Stones to the West. In 2003, she was invited by
CCTV (Chinese Central Television) to be interviewed on Scholar's Rocks as part of an expert
forum on the popular TV program "Art and Collection." Some scholars in this field praise her as
the most renowned woman connoisseur of Chinese Scholar's Stones in 400 years.
Marco Invernizzi - Italy
Italian artist Marco Invernizzi is a talented young bonsai artist who has quickly become one of
the most sought-after artists in the western world. Marco started his bonsai education under the
tutelage of Salvatore Liporace. Later, Marco traveled to Japan and undertook a 3-year
apprenticeship with Mr. Masahiko Kimura. Marco's work has received many accolades,
including several UBI awards, and his articles and photos of his bonsai work have appeared in
several American and European magazines. Marco works full-time as a bonsai artist and now
travels the world doing professional work for collectors, nurseries, clubs and organizations. In
2003 Marco published his first book describing his adventures in moving to Japan and pursuing
bonsai.
Arthur Joura - USA
Arthur Joura has been the Bonsai Curator at The North Carolina Arboretum, in Asheville, NC,
since the inception of the bonsai program in 1992. His bonsai education began at The National
Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington, DC, under the tutelage of Museum Curator Robert
“Bonsai Bob” Drechsler and his assistant, Daniel Chiplis. Joura furthered his studies with
personal instruction from Japanese American bonsai master Yuji Yoshimura, “The Father of
American Bonsai”. In 1998 Joura spent one month in Japan as an official student to the Nippon
Bonsai Association, a rare educational honor.
Hal Mahoney - USA
Hal acquired an interest in oriental culture while serving in the military in Japan and Korea. He
began actively teaching bonsai in 1976 when he introduced bonsai as a credit-earning course into
the Science Curriculum of a local public high school. Hal now has over 35 years of bonsai
experience, and his innovative techniques in bonsai are renowned.
One of his Chinese Rock Penjing is featured in the book, “Outstanding American Bonsai,” and
an Hinoki Cypress that he designed is now residing in the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection in
Seattle. He is a past-president of the Bonsai Society of Greater New York and of the Long Island
Bonsai Society. He is also a founder of the regional MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies and of the
Eastern Suffolk Bonsai Society. Hal has served as a Director, Recording Secretary, and as a Vice
President of Bonsai Clubs International. He has served for several years on the Editorial Board of
Bonsai Magazine.
Arishige Matsuura - Japan
As Chairman of Nippon Suiseki Association (NSA), Mr. Matsuura speaks as the voice of the
single organization charged with responsibility for preserving the tradition of this art form by the
Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs. He travels internationally on behalf of the suiseki
community. Mr. Matsuura has published widely on suiseki including producing annual NSA
exhibition catalogs. Mr. Matsuura has also contributed to suiseki texts regarding Western
collections. He recently published his own authoritative text, (which is only available in the
Japanese language at this time).
Roy Nagatoshi - USA
Roy Nagatoshi is a professional bonsai instructor and owner and operator of a bonsai nursery,
Fuji Bonsai Nursery, in Sylmar (suburb of Los Angeles), California. Since 1976, when he first
gave his bonsai lecture demonstration to a local club, Roy has been a guest bonsai artist at
numerous bonsai organizations and major bonsai conferences throughout the United States and
the world. Roy is a proud member of California Bonsai Society. He served eight years as the
President of the Society and also chaired two anniversary conventions of the Society.
Nikunj & Joyoti Parekh - India
Jyoti & Nikunj Parekh have converted a vast number of Indians into bonsai, saikei and greenery
enthusiasts. They tend to more than 1,000 bonsai and pre-bonsai materials at their apartment
terraces and farm. Early in 1970, Jyoti began experimenting with tropical trees for bonsai and, by
1977, she authored Tropical Bonsai, the first such book on bonsai in the tropics. By 1979, the
husband and wife duo founded the bonsai study group, “The Indo-Japanese Association.” The
Parekhs have given lectures, demonstrations and workshops, and participated in exhibitions, in
Europe, India, Hong Kong, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Jyoti was invited
as the delegate from India to the 1980 World Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition and Convention held
in Osaka, Japan. Nikunj and Jyoti also authored another book, Wonderworld of Tropical Bonsai,
printed in English and Hindi. In 1985, Nikunj began publishing the first technical and
informative bonsai quarterly magazine in India, “Nichin Bonsai.“ In 1989, Nikunj became the
Director of the India Region of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. During the same year,
he was given the title of Founder Emeritus of the Bonsai Friendship Federation of India. The
JAL World Bonsai Contest has honored them with citations about their bonsai creations. In 2000,
Nikunj became a Director of Bonsai Clubs International and the first BCI Ambassador from
India.
Solita Rosade - Colombia & USA
Solita's love for Bonsai started in 1984.When living in Colombia, she was very much involved in
her local club, Asociacion Vallecaucana de Bonsai, and was President for many years. During
that time, she co-authored a bonsai manual in Spanish entitled "The Essential in Bonsai," and not
only maintained her personal collection but cared for a number of extensive collections. She has
demonstrated her expertise on tropical bonsai as indoor plants and been a workshop leader at
many bonsai events worldwide. Presently, she helps her husband, Chase, in the day-to-day
activities of Rosade Bonsai Studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania, USA. In 1992, Solita founded
the Latin American Bonsai Federation (FELAB) and served as FELAB's President until 1998. In
1998, she became the President of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI), a post she held until 2002.
Currently, she is the Treasurer of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF) and a WBFF
Director, representing the Latin American Region.
Lindsay Shiba - USA
Lindsay Shiba began learning bonsai in 1970. Lindsay presents many demonstrations and
workshops in California and around the United States. He teaches beginning through advanced \
workshop courses in bonsai at his family's nursery -- Mt. Fuji Garden Center -- in Upland,
California. During the last few years, Lindsay has been assisting Ben Oki with demonstrations
and workshops. He is currently President of California Bonsai Society, a show chairman of
Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai's Winter Silhouettes Show, and a member of Nampukai.
Robert Steven - Indonesia
Robert Steven started creating and collecting bonsai in 1979, and currently has a permanent
exhibit center where he displays his bonsai collection of over 300 in a wide variety of species.
He conducts many bonsai and penjing lectures and demonstrations abroad and appears on a
national TV program. Robert also writes many bonsai and penjing articles for newspapers and
magazines, and is a columnist for the Readers Forum in BCI magazine. He is currently co-
authoring a book entitled "Bonsai Art, the Styles, Appreciation & Technique." Robert has won
more than 50 competition awards nationally and internationally, including: Entry Award of 2000
JAL World Bonsai Contest; Entry Award of 2000 Ben Oki International Design Award; Runner-
up Winner of 2001 Ben Oki International Design Award; First Winner of 2001 Certre Award
Competition; Runner-up Winner of 2002 Ben Oki International Design Award; Runner-up
Winner of 2002 Certre Award Competition; Entry Award of 2003 JAL World Bonsai Contest;
and Runner-up Winner of World Bonsai Contest 2003. He is very active in national and
international bonsai organizations. He is the Director of Public Relations & International Affairs
of the Indonesian Bonsai Society (PPBI); the Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Bonsai
Friendship Federation (ABFF); a Director of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) (2002-2004);
PPBI's Ambassador to BCI; a member of the Jury of PPBI doing domestic and international
bonsai judging; and the Coordinator of the "Ismail Saleh Award.”
Jack Sustic - USA
Jack is the Supervisory Museum Curator of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S.
National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Jack's interest in bonsai began in 1985 while serving in
the U.S. Army with a tour of duty in Korea. In 1995, Jack became the Greenhouse/Nursery
Manager of Riverbanks Zoo and Botanic Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. While in South
Carolina, Jack served as president of the Bonsai Club of South Carolina. In 1996, he applied for
and was selected as the first Intern at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Since January
2002, Jack has been the Supervisory Curator at the Museum.
Hiroshi Takeyama - Japan
In 1979, Hiroski Takeyama became the second owner of Fuyo-en, one of the premier bonsai
nurseries in Omiya Village outside of Tokyo. He has published many books about bonsai, and he
is very eager to make bonsai more popular by serving as a lecturer on NHK TV program "Hobby
Bonsai." In 2003, Mr. Takeyama became the third Chairman of the Nippon Bonsai Association
(NBA), succeeding Saburo Kato in this prestigious position. He also has served as a Director of
NBA, the Executive Director of the Nippon Bonsai Growers Cooperative, and as the Chairman
of the Steering Committee of Kokufu-ten.
Steven Tolley - UK
English bonsai artist Steve Tolley began his bonsai education under the guidance of Dan Barton,
with the emphasis on bonsai aesthetics and philosophy. Steve has recently become a full time
bonsai artist and has achieved one of his main ambitions to start a bonsai school. When not
teaching and demonstrating Steve can be found designing and styling bonsai in the tranquility of
his studio, with many articles and photographs published in international bonsai magazines being
based on this work. He also maintains some private collections in the U.K. and in Europe, and
many of the trees worked on by Steve have received awards both in the UK at national
exhibitions and in Europe at the prestigious Ginkgo Award in Belgium.
William Valavanis - USA
William N. Valavanis is a professional bonsai artist and educator from Rochester, New York,
who has spent 40 years in serious study of classical bonsai art. He is the proprietor of the
International Bonsai Arboretum. Mr. Valavanis is the publisher and editor of International
BONSAI, an educational bonsai publication reaching English-speaking bonsai fanciers
throughout the world. He travels across the United States and the world to share his knowledge,
skill, techniques and love of bonsai with interested bonsai fanciers. His educational programs
include lectures, demonstrations, workshops and constructive critiques. Mr. Valavanis has lead
bonsai study tours to Japan and Asia for over 25 years.
Keiko Yamane - Japan
In 1961, Keiko Yamane became a student of Mr. Saburo Kato, former Chairman of WBFF and
of the Nippon Bonsai Association. Mrs. Yamane is the first female Japanese bonsai artist in
modern times. She established "Kusamono-bonsai" (Grass bonsai), and in 1985 she published
her first book entitled Making Potted Wild Grass. Other publications include Kusamono-Bonsai,
Yoseue of Alpine and Wild Grasses (1996), Kusa-Bonsai Coloring Daily Life; Yoseue of Alpine
and Wild Grasses (1998). She has been very active in teaching Kusamono-bonsai on TV and in
magazines. Since 2000, Mrs. Yamane has taught Kusamono-bonsai on the monthly TV program
called "Hobby Horticulture." Currently, she is engaged in creative work at her residence in
Kamakura and teaches classes in Tokyo.
Qingquan "Brook" Zhao - China
Qingquan 'Brook' Zhao is an internationally acclaimed artist. A popular headliner at international
conventions, he has conducted programs in Australia, Canada, France, India, Italy, Malaysia,
Puerto Rico, the United States, and Venezuela. At a young age, Zhao became intrigued by the
miniature trees and landscapes in his father's and grandfather's collections. He is a third-
generation bonsai and penjing artist. He is particularly famous for his landscape and forest
arrangements. In the 1970's, he pioneered a new form of penjing where trees and stones are
artistically grouped on white marble slabs or other shallow containers to evoke, in the viewer's
eyes, tranquil mountain sceneries and waterscapes. This form, water-and-land penjing, has since
become his signature.
Mr. Zhao's work has earned him enthusiastic praise from bonsai and penjing artists and
collectors around the world. His first English language book, Penjing: “Worlds of Wonderment.
A Journey Exploring an Ancient Chinese Art and Its History, Cultural Background, and
Aesthetics, published in 1997,” is considered a classic.
-END-