Bonsai Festival!

Hello Friends!

I hope you can visit me at the National Arboretum for the Potomac Bonsai Festival. I'll be selling pots made especially for these magical little trees. I'm thrilled to be participating again this year. It's a fun and intimate event filled with people who are incredibly passionate about this living art form. Held each year on World Bonsai Day weekend, the Festival is hosted on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue NE in Washington, DC.

'Join us for a full weekend of bonsai exhibitions, live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, children’s activities, and vendors from across the country. Preview the Festival on Friday with bonsai vendors and bonsai displays. A special ceremony officially opens the festival on Saturday at 10:30 AM, featuring bonsai leaders and dignitaries.

This year, we are excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum and the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Join the party!'

Friday May 9th, 9am - 4pm

Saturday May 10th, 9am - 4pm

Sunday May 11th, 9am - 3pm

Don't miss out on seeing this cool tree!!!

It's called 'The Emperor', it's only at the arboretum for the festival, and I think it'll probably knock your socks off!

'The “Emperor” is the endearing poetic name for an imperial-sized bonsai owned by Bob Chilton and Todd Stewart of Gardens Unlimited in Ladysmith, Virginia. The tree was purchased in 2008 by Bobb and Todd and is a Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia). The base of the trunk measures 60 inches around, and the tree is 52 inches tall.

The tree is so heavy that it takes four people and a forklift or crane to move. For winter protection, the tree stays outdoors at the Garden’s Unlimited Nursery and has a custom-made cover that protects it from the cold. This spring is the first time the tree has ever left the nursery for public display.'

I'm especially excited to share this new decal work. I've been thinking about the scale of Bonsai trees and wanted to attempt to highlight that with the scale of images I'm using. Its a rare opportunity to make a fuctional vessle that houses something miniature (for lack of a better word) and it felt like the perfect opportunity to play. living in a city, most trees I see are contained by brick, stone, or concrete, and that, too, is lovely and poetic in its own way. There is still a lot for me to figure out here but I think I'm on to something!

If you can't make it to the Festival, please don't hesitate to get in touch, and we can set up a time for you to come visit my studio :). 

Please email me at kate@hollowwork.com

Hope to see you!