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Letter from 2024 National Bonsai Apprentice Isiah White

As I reflect on my experience as the 2024 National Bonsai Apprentice, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and a profound sense of growth. Thanks to the support of the National Bonsai Foundation, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and the U.S. National Arboretum, I have gained invaluable knowledge and discovered a renewed confidence that will guide me for the rest of my life. This journey has not only deepened my understanding of the art of bonsai, but it has also transformed me as an artist and an individual. My time as the National Bonsai Apprentice will remain a golden milestone in my bonsai journey.

Just as it has enriched my knowledge of bonsai, this educational opportunity has enriched my knowledge of myself. From learning how to water efficiently to mastering the precise timing for pruning pine trees, every lesson has enhanced my skills and abilities. It has been an honor to be part of the talented team at this world-class museum.

One of the things I admire most is the attention to detail emphasized during my apprenticeship. By repeatedly performing the same technique on multiple trees of the same species, I learned to internalize the process, creating a natural response when working with other species of similar growth habits. For instance, my approach to a maple tree would be different from how I work with a pine tree; but I can apply the same pruning techniques to a beech as I would to a maple, since both are deciduous. This thorough understanding allows me to be more decisive and has elevated the quality and sophistication of my work.

The trust placed in me during this apprenticeship has been transformative, and it gave me a level of confidence I have rarely felt. In the past, I have faced doubt from others—particularly as a Black bonsai artist. I once told someone, “I am a Bonsai Artist,” only to have them laugh and reply, “Black people don’t do bonsai.” Encounters like that made me reserved and hesitant to fully show my potential. But at the museum, the staff’s belief in my abilities gave me the courage to step into my full self, as an artist and as a person.

One of my favorite tasks is pruning extended growth to redirect energy and refine a tree’s silhouette. Working on legendary specimens that many bonsai artists can only dream of is a real privilege. And seeing people admire the trees I worked on has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I’ll never forget the moment an entire family stood in front of a juniper I had just worked on, taking pictures and complimenting how beautiful the tree looked. Hearing their kind words about the work we do as bonsai artists gave me a profound boost of confidence and determination.

As my apprenticeship nears its end, I am filled with mixed emotions. I am honored and proud of my growth and success during this experience, but I will miss this place. When I first arrived, my biggest fear was that I might fail—despite my prior experience, I had never worked on trees of this caliber. But working alongside some of our nation’s greatest bonsai artists has strengthened my confidence and renewed my passion for this living art form even more. For that, I am deeply grateful.

My goal on this journey is to use the knowledge I’ve gained to pursue my dream of becoming a bonsai farmer. I believe the bonsai community in the United States needs an expert farmer who can provide high-quality material at a reasonable price. This apprenticeship has given me the confidence to take the next steps toward starting my own bonsai business, and soon I will be launching a company and online store to sell quality pre-bonsai trees. Meanwhile, I plan to continue my college education, focusing on botany. I have also been accepted into a Veteran Farmers Program, where I will gain skills that will directly improve my bonsai cultivation and growing practices.

I’ve found my focus in life, and that focus is the art of bonsai. Once again, thank you to the amazing people at the National Bonsai Foundation, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and the U.S. National Arboretum for helping me rediscover who I am and what my purpose is.

Warmly,
Isiah White
2024 National Bonsai Apprentice

This apprenticeship is funded in part by The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation.

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In Memoriam: Chris Cochrane

The National Bonsai Foundation (NBF) and greater bonsai community celebrates the life of 25-year NBF Board Member Chris Cochrane, who passed away at age 75 in Virginia at the end of December 2024.

Chris's interest in bonsai began early on when he majored in Eastern religions at the University of Virginia. He studied display aesthetics, tea ceremonies, and Japanese Garden Design in Japan, including a year at Kunio Kobayashi’s garden studio immersing himself in bonsai and suiseki.

In addition to his quarter-century tenure with NBF – including 12 years as NBF secretary – Chris served as secretary, treasurer, and president of the Richmond Bonsai Society. He was also a founding member and 18-year president for the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, and he co-designed their annual exhibitions at the U.S. National Arboretum.

Chris was also a catalyst in growing online bonsai communities, including the Internet Bonsai Club, the Viewing Stone Mail List, his Pinterest page, and NBF, where he helped set up the inaugural website in 2006.

He maintained personal collections of bonsai and viewing and garden stones, one of which was featured in the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum’s Chrysanthemum Moon Exhibit in 2007. Chris also contributed to Museum and NBF publication materials, including a profile on the La Bella Suiseki in one of NBF’s newsletters.

NBF Chair Emeritus and Former Museum Curator Jack Sustic has fond memories of collecting stones with Chris and the Potomac Viewing Stone Group.

“During my entire tenure as curator, Chris was a stalwart NBF board member,” Sustic said. “His commitment and generosity were testament to his love of the Museum. His friendship and level of passion and dedication will be sorely missed.”

Chuck Croft, a former NBF board member, worked with him for more than 30 years across numerous bonsai and suiseki organizations. Chuck said he was always the first to volunteer to help with shows.

“Chris invariably had a positive and kind approach to life and anything he encountered,” Croft said. “I could always count on him to light up the day.”

Felix Laughlin, NBF Chair Emeritus, remembers Chris whenever he walks through his garden, where he admires a suiseki they collected together.

“The NBF family has lost a beloved compatriot who has been pulling us and the Museum forward for most of the past half century,” Laughlin said. “A true leader of our viewing stone contingent, Chris made things happen with a positive attitude and a mission never defeated.”

Chris was happiest in a river searching for viewing stones with friends, hiking in the woods, doing research on Asian Aesthetics, and sharing what he had learned with others. Most of all, he loved his family and the people who share his passion.

Please feel free to add your memories in the comments below. You can also view Chris’s official obituary.
 

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Thanks for the support in 2024! Here's what's coming in 2025

As we welcome the new year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and passion for the living arts of bonsai and penjing.

This past year was filled with growth, connection, and creativity—all made possible by your unwavering support. Whether you attended an event, made a donation, or shared your love for bonsai with others, you helped us cultivate a thriving community. And through the incredible generosity of our committed donors, we exceeded our fundraising goals, including our ambitious end-of-year giving match challenge. We deeply appreciate everyone who contributed!

With your help, we accomplished a lot in 2024:

We played a role in welcoming distinguished visitors to Washington, DC throughout the year. Most prominently, we helped U.S. National Arboretum staff prepare an awe-inspiring display of bonsai for the state visit of Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, including many renowned masterpieces that were past gifts from Japanese artists and heads of state. These visits further elevate bonsai's global stature and highlight the ways that the art of bonsai can cross cultural boundaries and strengthen diplomatic connections.

We proudly sponsored the National Bonsai Apprentice, Isiah White, for an extended term with an increased stipend. This program ensures the traditions and techniques of bonsai are passed on to the next generation of up-and-coming bonsai artists.


World Bonsai Day brought together enthusiasts around the globe in a celebration of art and nature, and featured a Mayoral proclamation, exhibits and workshops from the Potomac Bonsai Association Festival, special guest artists, and fun activities. The energy from this event reminded us of bonsai's power to unite us across cultures and continents.

 

We completed a major project to replace all of the tree labels in the Museum, which over the years have become outdated, damaged, and inconsistently formatted. The new labels, which are professionally redesigned to provide a more uniform, more readable system with an improved look, will be installed early this year. You should be able to see them in person next time you visit!

 

The Washington City Paper's Best of DC recognized the National Bonsai Foundation as the "Best Arts and Culture Nonprofit" for 2024, thanks to your votes! The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum also earned "Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner" for the sixth year in a row. These accolades reflect the growing recognition of bonsai as an important art form in the nation's capital.

 

The National Bonsai Foundation transitioned to a new Chair of the Board, welcoming Dan Angelucci to the role. Dan will help our organization build on successes and embrace new possibilities as we grow the art of bonsai.

 

We are excited for another great year with you in 2025! 

Stay tuned for updates on all of these initiatives and more:

  • We will continue to partner with the U.S. National Arboretum in support of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, providing ongoing training for expert curators and staff, creating new opportunities for dedicated volunteers, and maintaining a haven of peaceful reflection for thousands of visitors.
     

  • New exhibitions will showcase the artistry and history of bonsai, penjing, and viewing stones. Each display will offer visitors joyful inspiration and a chance to explore the stories behind these living masterpieces.
     

  • World Bonsai Day returns, promising another festive event full of connections and celebrations. In collaboration with partners like the Potomac Bonsai Association, we’re planning even more activities to bring the community closer to the art we love.
     

  • We’ll celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Yamaki Pine, a living testament to resilience, artistry, and the cultural significance of bonsai. This milestone will honor its phenomenal legacy and its extraordinary journey to the Museum.
     

  • National Geographic will publish a feature article on Goshin, sharing its story with millions. This feature will shine a spotlight on this incredible example of a bonsai forest and the dedication of its legendary creator, John Y. Naka, and subsequent caretakers.
     

  • A new National Bonsai Apprentice will join us for an immersive learning experience, continuing this nationally renowned training program. Their journey will inspire the next wave of bonsai practitioners and enthusiasts.
     

  • Renewed focus on volunteers, events, and education will strengthen our mission and impact. We’ll work together to expand access to the joy of discovery that bonsai offers to everyone.

Together, we are cultivating the arts of bonsai, penjing, and viewing stones. And we are nourishing our dynamic, creative community of passionate and compassionate people like you who love these living arts. Thank you for helping us protect and share this timeless art form.

Here's to a happy and successful 2025!