JohnG

Hey Bill... I am sorry for the confusion. I did very much enjoy your symposium. I fully realize that your display was by invitation and was not a juried event. The reply I made had to do with someone purchasing several of Suthin's trees (which Suthin had on display at your symposium) and then the new owner displayed them at the Carolina Bonsai Expo as his own. In fact they made up at least half of his club's display. If this fact would have been brought forward during the critique I would have had no problems, but it was not. The trees were raved over by the guest artist and the owner just smiled as if he was responsible for creating and caring for those trees. I personally find this to be underhanded and deceitful for a juried event.

It has never been stated but it has always been implied, at least for me, when you enter trees in a juried show (any juried show) those trees should represent your own work, not finished trees that you just purchased from a professional, unless that fact is clearly stated. Especially if you have only had the trees for less than a month. I know this is an area of controversy with many shows and has been discussed on several occassions.

With respect to the National Bonsai Exhibit I think this is a long overdue effort and I applaude you for undertaking such an effort. I just find it unfortunate that it will occur on the same weekend that the Carolina Bonsai Expo has been on for the past 12 years. This is going to cause many hobbyists and vendors to make a choice and, at least I believe, it will diminish the overall quality of both events. I know, I for one would love to attend your National Bonsai Exhibit, but I also have a long term committment to Arthur and the CBE.

Once again I am sorry for the confusion, I did not mean to infer any wrong doing on your part or the part of Suthin. I enjoyed your symposium very much and completely realize the difference between it and the CBE. Thank you for your reply and the information about the National Bonsai Exhibit.
John