Spring Celebration 2023
Save The Date: Saturday May 13th (9am - 5pm)
Join us on Saturday May 13th, for a FREE day full of bonsai education.
New England Bonsai is a well-known Bonsai nursery and educational center located in Bellingham, Massachusetts. We organize several events throughout the year to celebrate different occasions, and our Spring Celebration is one of them.
Spring Celebration is a great opportunity for Bonsai enthusiasts and nature lovers to learn, explore, and connect with others who share their passion.
During the Spring Celebration, visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including Bonsai Demonstrations and Workshops, plant sales, and more. You will also interact with the experts at New England Bonsai, who are always willing to share their knowledge and experience with others.
If you're interested in attending the Spring Celebration at New England Bonsai, visit the website or social media pages to find out more about demonstration and workshop schedules.
Admission is free!!!
Spring Celebration Private Workshops
Along with the demonstrations (free to the public) we will also be offering these exclusive paid workshops. Learn from these great bonsai artists in a small intimate setting.
- 9:30 – 11:30 Shohin Kishu Juniper Workshop with John Romano – Purchase Tickets
- 9:30 – 11:30 Rough Bark Jade Workshop with Glen Lord – Purchase Tickets
- 2:30 – 4:30 Tiger Bark Ficus Stump Workshop with Glen Lord – Purchase Tickets
- 1:00 – 3:00 Shohin Mugo Pine Styling Workshop with the featured artist, Mark Arpag – Purchase Tickets
- 1:00 – 3:00 Clump-Style Japanese Maple Workshop with Lou Carreiro – Purchase Tickets
Featured Artist
Mark Arpag
Marc Arpag is an American Bonsai Artist, long time student and friend of William. N. Valavanis. He is a board member of the Bonsai Society of Upstate New York and co-founder of the Suiseki Study Group of Upstate New York.
His love of nature and art have also lead to his study of Japanese garden design and was honored to create the Welcome Gardens for the U. S. National Bonsai Exhibitions.
Marc has won numerous awards including the Yuji Yoshimura Award, the BCI Award for Outstanding Bonsai and the ABS Finest North American Bonsai Award at the 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition for his Eastern White Cedar Bonsai.
Here is what to expect:
9:00-11:00 Breakfast and Early Bird Sale
- Ceramic Pot Clearance: 15% off ALL Pots (excludes handmade and Tokoname Pots)
- Clearance trees while they last – We’ve created an entire section for clearance trees, priced to sell.
- Overstock Items – Discounted Desktop Grow Lights, Stands & Display Tables, Bamboo Water Fountains, and a lot more.
- FREE Coffee, Bagels, Muffins, and Donuts will be served in retail
10am to 12pm Black Pine Demo
The Japanese black pine is the “king” of bonsai because of its dark green needles, rugged bark and ease of growth.
Watch Mark style and transform a huge Japanese Black Pine NEBG acquired from the west coast in 2022. Learn why drastic pruning and heavy reshaping of old branches is required.
Demonstration for all levels – who doesn’t want to see a gnarly bush transformed into a piece of art
10:30am to 12pm - Rain Tree Demo
Lou Carreiro
Lou earns a living as a Doctor, but he’s also moonlights as a bonsai artist. His personal Brazilian Rain Tree (BRT) is one of the best on the planet.
So naturally, after acquiring a large forest style Rain Tree from a collector, Lou requested to work on it. The BRT forest needs to be restyled to improve it’s composition.
Demonstration for all levels – From basic care to advanced styling, learn pruning techniques, wiring, soil mixes, and the best maintenance practices for a thriving bonsai.
12 to 1pm - Lunch & Ask the Experts
Join Mark Arpag, John Romano, Pete Olson and Glen Lord for Lunch.
Bring your questions to learn from the professionals.
Finger food (sandwiches), chips, and refreshments will be served
1:00 – 2:00 Introduction to Tropical Bonsai
with Glen Lord
Have you always wanted your very own bonsai tree, but don’t know where to start? Are you concerned about buying a tree without knowing how to keep it alive and happy?
Glen’s demonstration will include an overview of classic styles, how to select a tree, cleaning your tree to find it’s potential, choosing pots and tools, how to keep your tree thriving, and much more.
1pm - 4 pm Repotting a 90 year-old Bougainvillea
with Peter Olson
Every few years, a bonsai has to be repotted when the soil becomes too compact.
Watch Peter repot a huge 90-year old bougainvillea. The process of repotting a large tree, and the post care. It’s impressive to see the tools and behind the scenes of how professionals work.
3:30 - 5pm Reworking a 600-year-old Rocky Mountain Juniper
with Mark Arpag & John Romano
Mark will close spring Celebration by restyling a super old Collected Rocky Mountain Juniper. Listen and watch Mark develop a style for the foliage, and best way to show off the trees features – the deadwood.