Workshop participation is decided by lottery
Because these world-class instructors are donating their time and travel expenses, the cost of the workshops is simply the cost of the bonsai material you will be working on. This makes workshop seats a highly sought after commodity. To give everyone an equal chance workshop participation is decided by lottery.
How the lottery works
On the registration form, please list your choices in order of preference. Choose as many as pique your interest. That way if your first choice of workshop is already filled by the time your name is pulled during the lottery, we can slot you in to a next choice on your list. During the Lottery, the names of all full seminar registrants who wish to participate in the workshops are put into a basket. Names are pulled one by one from the basket. As each name is pulled, we match open workshop seats against the choice list for that name. Once all full registrants have been matched with one workshop, the process is repeated for people who wish to attend a second workshop. This double pass process is then repeated for all Day Pass registrants. We give preference to full seminar registrants because the facilities costs are predicated on occupying hotel rooms. Full registrants are helping us meet that quota.
Rank your choices next to the workshops in order of preference. Please specify a single order of preference for all workshops eg: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc., NOT 1, 2, 3 for morning and 1, 2, 3 for afternoon.
Deposits must cover your most expensive choice (2 most expensive choices if requesting a second workshop)
Any workshop seats that remain available after the lottery and any seats that become available due to emergency cancellations will be posted on a marker board at the registrar’s desk during the Seminar.
Workshop Schedule
- All workshops are held on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
- Please bring your own tools. Wire will be provided.
- Some of the most respected bonsai masters in the United States donate their time and expertise at the biennial California Shohin Seminar. View the list of our honored guest presenters.
- Session A: 9:00 – 11:45 a.m.
- Session B: 2:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Session A: Saturday, February 1, 2025 – 9:00 am – 11:45 am.
| Session | Presenter | Workshop | Max participants | Price |
| AM-1 | Bill Valavanis | Ryukizan Satsuki Azalea | 15 | $65 |
| AM-2 | Eric Shrader | 5-year-old Zelkova, broom style | 6 | $120 |
| AM-3 | Frank Mihalic | Exposed Root Pyracantha 5-6 inches | 8 | $150 |
| A4 | Lucy Judd | 5 Companion Plantings | 15 | $70 |
| A5 | Peter Macaseib | Broom Style Zelkova | 10 | $190 |
| A6 | Sam Adina | Japanese Black Pine | 10 | $105 |
| A7 | Adam Toth | Mame Cork Oak | 6 | $175 |
| A8 | Cesar Ulisses | Olives | 10 | $230 |
| A9 | Darren Wong | Azaleas | 6 | $300 |
| A10 | Jonas Dupuich | Mame Exposed Root Pine | 2 | $130 |
| A11 | Randall Lee | Hinoki Cypress for Beginners | 6 | $40 |
| A12 | Valerie Monroe | Yamadori style Shimpaku Juniper | 5 | $50 |
Session B: 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Details coming soon.
| Session | Presenter | Workshop | Max participants | Price |
| B1 | Bill Valavanis | Ryukizan Satsuki Azalea | 15 | $65 |
| B2 | Eric Shrader | 5-year-old Zelkova, broom style | 6 | $120 |
| B3 | Frank Mihalic | Exposed Root Pyracantha 10-12 inches | 4 | $450 |
| B4 | Lucy Judd | 5 Companion Plantings | 15 | $70 |
| B5 | Peter Macaseib | Broom Style Zelkova | 8 | $205 |
| B6 | Sam Adina | Olives | 10 | $255 |
| B7 | Bob Shimon | Mendocino Coast Pygmy Cypress (View stock) | 8 | $200 |
| B8 | Steve Da Silva | Ficus burt davyii nana (View stock) | 10 | $105 |
| B9 | Fred Miyahara | Exposed Root Black Pine | 6 | $505 |
| B10 | John Doig | Chinese Elm (View stock) | 5 | $495 |
| B11 | Rick Trumm | Scrub Oak (View stock) | 6 | $155 |
| B12 | Vince OwYoung | Mame Olives | 8 | $50 |
Registration must be postmarked by December 15th, 2024, to be a part of the workshop lottery.
Registration and workshop forms CLICK HERE
