I believe that there is a silly misconception among many bonsai enthusiasts about what it means to have or participate in a judged bonsai exhibit. Based on what I hear and read from some enthusiasts, it is as if many believe that such an event involves the following:

...The judges, with all of bonsaidom watching, walk slowly from display to display; frowns on their faces. They look at the assembled displays with an air of contempt. "What junk! Just look at this one. Who is the boob who dares to exhibit this awful tree!?" Gulp! This display belongs to John Doe; now cowering in the corner. Now everyone knows that John Doe's tree and display is junk and that he is unworthy of this grand exhibition. The assembled exhibit goers glower at John with sneers of contempt (just like the judges).

...Finally, the judges come upon the display of Jane Smith. Their eyes open wide and a beam of light decends from the heavens to illuminate Jane's superior display. As one, the judges beckon forth the artist. Jane strides proudly toward the judges, where acolytes await to cloth her in the robes of elitism. The head judge speaks... "Now here is a worthy artiste. Look ye poor peasants and gaze upon her in wonder! She is worthy ...she and no other!

Now, stand by while we read the names of the unworthy exhibitors. BRING FORTH THE SCROLL OF SHAME!"
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No. Ha!

There is NO difference between a judged even and a non-judged event, except that one display from each category is judged to be best. This does not mean that special citations are given out for the worst displays! Only that one display from each category is judged to be best.

Now tell me how this is supposed to be so frightening to everyone. For everyone involved, it is just an exhibit. For a few talented/skilled individuals, there is also a nice recognition. What about this is so scary?

What now happens is that a few artists are rightfully congratulated for their excellence. The attendees to the exhibit (after the winners are recognized) get to then share in the positive experience and may be interested in closely examining the winning exhibits in an attempt to discern what set them apart from the rest.

This is not an exercise in elitism. Rather, this is an exercise in recognizing excellence and in sharing joy amongst the community. Good stuff!

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com
zone 8, Texas

Boy, Andy you must have the day off

This is another good question. It is the fear of failure. It is the lack of viewing the show as a learning experience as well as a chance to show your best work in the hope of being recognized.

The competetiveness of American culture flows over to the art of Bonsai.

Why compete if you know you are not the best or even approaching the best? This is where your idea of exhibits comes in big time. Take the competition out and show your stuff for the fun of showing it and the pride of you have achieved.

Oh well happy new year.

Richard

This topic should bring out the masses!
It will be interesting reading for sure.
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.8m.com/

Having never exhibited my trees, since I am not at that point in the training of my trees. So I am a perfectionist?? No, just a beginner.

I can say that as a professional artist I have been in hundreds of Juried Shows for my paintings. I have only been recognized (winning first prize) in, maybe, 20 shows. Those are the sweet moments in almost forty years of painting.

The experiences of winning are wonderful, but
they do not make up for the many second and even third prizes or no prize disappointments. You must swallow your pride and go home with the hope that you will do better the next time.

I started into Bonsai late in life, and study hard to learn how to keep my trees alive. After another 10 years of styling and studying, I might consider a tree ready for exhibition....

Stay tuned....