We appreciate your interest in participating in the ABS Learning Seminars - Joshua Roth New Talent Competition!

This annual competition highlights the talents and aspirations of newer practitioners of Bonsai in North America. 

This event is for you if:

  • You must have a minimum of three different bonsais that you can show as a portfolio of your work. Each tree must have been exclusively designed and styled by you. This will demonstrate that you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of bonsai and that you are prepared to compete in a national competition. 
  • You have practiced bonsai for 10 years or less.
  • You can attend the ABS Learning Seminars in Rochester, New York. All costs associated with your registration to participate in the event, including travel and accommodations, are your responsibility. (Base registration for current members of the ABS starts at $75.)
  • You live in North America.

This Application represents Stage I of the selection process. You will complete this form and submit photos. All work shown in your portfolio should only express your work. Before-and-after images are beneficial in fully illustrating your work, but are not required.

You can upload your bonsai photos in the application section of this form. You can submit a PDF document with pictures and descriptions, or upload a ZIP file of a folder containing your work, with all the trees labeled individually in their file names.

The JRNTC Selection Committee will conduct Stage II of the competition, reviewing all the applicant entries. Individuals selected to participate will be notified via email.

Your participation will only be CONFIRMED when you have also completed the registration for the ABS Learning Seminars. Registration for the US National Bonsai Exhibition is not required but is encouraged. 

How does the competition work?

The competition will be held at the Double Tree by Marriott, in Rochester, NY, on Friday, September 12th, from 9:00 AM to 5 PM.

Artists who have completed the selection process, received an invite to the competition, and registered to attend the ABS Learning Seminar will be randomly assigned a tree to design and will have the entire time of the competition to complete their work. No information about the species or size of the tree will be supplied ahead of time. 

Artists cannot request or receive advice on how to design or perform the work needed for their tree at any time during the competition.

Artists must supply tools, wire, and anything else they wish to use in the competition. 

The winner will be announced at the Saturday night banquet.

Artists can purchase their tree at the end of the event for the base price at which the material was purchased. All trees not selected by their artist will be auctioned on Saturday.

Trees will remain on display for the duration of the ABS Learning Seminar.

Your Submission Form


Agreements & Submitting Your Photos

Joshua Roth—American Bonsai Society New Talent Competition Applicant Declaration.

Please read and attest to each of the following requirements and understandings for this competition:

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