On June 12, 2015, the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF) hosted the 3rd National Juried Bonsai Container Exhibition opening reception was held in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. 366 bonsai pots were submitted by 52 artists; from these, the jury chose 89 containers by 31 different potters for display in the exhibition. The pots are arranged into seven style categories: Round, Oval, Rectangle, Cascade/Semi-Cascade, Shohin, and Accent/Kusamono containers. This exhibition will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum through August 2, 2015.

https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/celebration-of-new-bonsai-pot-e…/

Two previous container competitions were held in 2001 and 2002. The Bonsai Museum has bonsai and kusamono containers from many well-known potters who participated in the previous competitions. I was given the opportunity to create kusamono using some of these award-winning pots.

Here are images from the exhibition and opening reception, as well as some of my kusamono creations using containers in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s collection:

Dr. Richard Olsen, new Director of the U.S. National Arboretum, gives opening remarks.

Kit Ruseau receiving the 2nd Place Kusamono Pot award.

People line up to purchase pots in the exhibition.

Potter: Michael Hagedorn (Oregon), 1st Prize Winner 2001-Traditional Category                                                 &nb… — Potter: Michael Hagedorn (Oregon), 1st Prize Winner 2001-Traditional Category *Hydrangea arborescens*, *Imperata cylindrica*, *Penstemon smallii*, and *Campanula* sp

Potter: Nick Lenz (Massachusetts)     Akebia quinata — Potter: Nick Lenz (Massachusetts) *Akebia quinata*

Potter: April Grigsby (Florida),     Iris cristata ‘Tennessee White’ — Potter: April Grigsby (Florida), *Iris cristata* ‘Tennessee White’

Potter: Jim Gremel (California)       Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex flagellifera, Aquilegia canadensis, and Eurybia divaricata — Potter: Jim Gremel (California) *Schizachyrium scoparium*, *Carex flagellifera*, *Aquilegia canadensis*, and *Eurybia divaricata*

Potter: Sharon Edwards-Russell (Pennsylvania)                                                           … — Potter: Sharon Edwards-Russell (Pennsylvania) *Chasmanthium latifolium* ‘River Mist’, *Phlox stolonifera*, and *Selaginella* sp.

Potter: Ron Lang (Pennsylvania) 1st Prize Winner 2001-Non-Traditional Category       Lespedeza thunbergii, Carex pensylvanica, and Selaginella sp. — Potter: Ron Lang (Pennsylvania) 1st Prize Winner 2001-Non-Traditional Category *Lespedeza thunbergii*, *Carex pensylvanica*, and *Selaginella* sp.

Potter: Jamie Kirkpatrick (Colorado)     Juncus torreyi, Sagittaria latifolia, Lobelia ‘Vulcan Red’, Alisma plantago-aquatica, and Justicia americana — Potter: Jamie Kirkpatrick (Colorado) *Juncus torreyi*, *Sagittaria latifolia*, *Lobelia* ‘Vulcan Red’, *Alisma plantago-aquatica*, and *Justicia americana*