After 4 days, 60 new beginner bonsai artists, 30 intermediate artists with new inspiration and ideas, 3 days of markets and 2 artists going head to head on stage - it's a wrap for Bonsai Reshaped 2023!
Thank you to everyone who experienced and participated! Thank you to our creative artists, Nik Rozman from Slovenia and our very own Sam Thompson. Showcasing the arts of bonsai and penjing in Australia is a highlight of our calendar year.
It was a treat to see the smiling faces of beginners reconnecting with nature with their miniature styled trees. For the intermediates, walking away with new aspects and ideas to take their bonsai to the next level…
Bonsai After Dark was a fabulous night under the lights of the Village Centre. Nik and Sam showcased their bonsai skills during live demonstrations, adapting their designs as some branches snapped (audibly). The enthusiasm and dedication for bonsai was felt throughout the room as the Joe Mifsud Volunteer of the Year award dedicated to the late Joe Mifsud, lifelong bonsai volunteer, was awarded to Mark Goddard.
The announcement of the Centenary Bonsai Prize was awarded to Peter Hanrahan for his outstanding native bonsai, 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢, Heath banksia. As well as the winners of the Bonsai Pot Acquisition Prize being announced, first prize awarded to Patrick Kennedy and equal second going to Marie Hewartson and Luke Parsons.
The Artist in Residence program allows bonsai artists from across Australia to share knowledge and learn techniques from the NBPCA artists in an exchange of ideas and mutual learning. The placements for Artist in Residence 2023/24 were announced during the event, congratulations to:
- Jarryd Bailey (TAS) May 2023
- Luke Yeoward (QLD) August 2023
- Matt Sharp (SA) April 2024
- Joe Morgan-Payler (VIC) August 2024
The Bonsai Market Stalls took place over the weekend in the Terrace Room. The four vendors from around Australia sold a wide variety of bonsai trees and tools, as well as provided inspiration and advice. We would like to thank all of the stall holders for a successful market weekend.
We look forward to seeing you all again next year to celebrate the beauty and artistry of bonsai once again.