2027 ABS Learning Seminars · New Orleans, Louisiana
2027 ABS Learning Seminars · Presenting Sponsor: Underhill Bonsai
Four days of world-class artistry, hands-on styling, and Louisiana hospitality poured on thick — hosted by the Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society, March 11–14, 2027.
The Welcome
New Orleans has always kept a chair open for artists, wanderers, and anyone chasing something beautiful. This March, the Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society is throwing the door wide for the American Bonsai Society’s 2027 Learning Seminars — four days of workshops, seminars, and live demonstrations from some of the most respected hands in the art, set against brass, bayou, and a genuine Crescent City welcome.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler.”
An old New Orleans invitation — let the good times roll.
Why You’ll Want To Be Here
Artists
Study directly with Suthin Sukosolvisit, Jennifer Price, Pedro Morales, Mauro Stemberger, and a full roster of internationally recognized artists across seminars, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations.
Cuisine
Three catered Louisiana dining experiences are built into full registration — hors d’oeuvres and jazz on Thursday, a full feast on Friday, and a zydeco-soundtracked banquet Saturday night.
Field Trip
Ride an airboat through the Lac des Allemands Swamp with bald cypress expert Randy Bennett, and see where these trees have grown wild for centuries.
New Talent
The Joshua Roth New Talent Contest and a full slate of free seminars make this a welcoming first convention — not just a masterclass for veterans.
Browse & Discover
Two more reasons to build extra time into your schedule — both just steps from the seminar rooms.
The Exhibit
The Pre-Function Area fills with a juried display of bonsai from across North America, with critiques throughout the weekend and awards presented at the Saturday banquet. Stop by between sessions, or enter a tree of your own.
The Marketplace
Salons 1–4 fill with vendors selling trees, pottery, tools, soil, and books from across the region — plan to leave a little extra room in your suitcase. A full vendor list will be posted here as participants are confirmed.
Friday Night LIVE! · The Headline Set
Friday night, four internationally recognized artists take the stage together at the DoubleTree Ballroom, styling four very different trees, live, side by side.
All four finished trees go up for bid at Saturday’s Banquet, Auction & Awards Ceremony.
Four Days, At a Glance
Registration opens, an airboat tour of the swamp, and an evening reception to kick things off right.
A full day of seminars and hands-on styling, capped by the headline demonstration and a Louisiana feast.
More workshops and seminars — repotting, wiring, display — then the Banquet, Auction & Awards Ceremony.
The exhibit and vendor hall stay open through noon before everyone heads home.
A Taste of the Crescent City
This isn’t hotel-ballroom catering. Every full registration comes with three dining experiences built around real regional cooking, served alongside live jazz Thursday and zydeco Saturday night. Come hungry.
Where You’ll Stay
Every seminar, workshop, and vendor hall is steps from your room — just minutes from Louis Armstrong International Airport and about twenty minutes from the French Quarter. Book under the American Bonsai Society Rate for $139 a night, and ride the hotel’s free shuttle in from the airport, any hour, any day.
Want the Details?
Dig into who’s teaching, what’s on the calendar, and where everything happens.
The Invitation
Early-bird pricing is open now, and a few experiences — like Thursday’s fourteen-seat swamp tour — will sell out early.
