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J U D G I N G
T H E J U D G I N G P R O C E S S
S T A G E 1
E N T R Y
E N T R Y
Stage 1 focuses on determining which entries will be accepted into the competition and event display. This includes decisions for both competitive and non-competitive submissions.
S T A G E 2
O N L I N E C O M P E T I T I O N J U D G I N G
O N L I N E C O M P E T I T I O N J U D G I N G
Stage 2 is the first phase of the competition judging process, which will occur online prior to the event, where judges will mostly evaluate the conceptual aspects of each piece, including the creation process. Judging is based on the information provided in the applicants' submissions. Applicants will not be judged on their writing ability. For helpful questions and considerations to include in your description, please refer to the Application Information page.
R U B R I C
Up to 10 points per category, for a total maximum of 50 points per judge.
Making
Glaze or Finish
Visual Balance
Theme Interpretation
Creativity
Up to 10 points per category, for a total maximum of 50 points per judge.
Making
Glaze or Finish
Visual Balance
Theme Interpretation
Creativity
S T A G E 3
I N - P E R S O N C O M P E T I T I O N J U D G I N G
I N - P E R S O N C O M P E T I T I O N J U D G I N G
Stage 3 is the final phase of the competition judging which will take place at the event. In this stage, judges will mostly evaluate the physical and visual qualities of each piece on display.
R U B R I C
Up to 10 points per category, for a total maximum of 60 points per judge.
Functionality
Build Quality
Glaze or Finish
Feet
Visual Balance
Creativity
Up to 10 points per category, for a total maximum of 60 points per judge.
Functionality
Build Quality
Glaze or Finish
Feet
Visual Balance
Creativity
The scores from Stage 2 and Stage 3 will be combined. All competition judging will be carried out independently, and judges are prohibited from discussing any pots until the judging process has been completed. Judges will only have access to the pot’s details, with no information about the artist provided. Potters may request their score sheets at the conclusion of the competition. Should a judge be found to be submitting scores that are demonstrably biased, both the judge and all of their scores will be disqualified from the competition.
This judging process was developed with input from experts and potters in the bonsai community. While bias cannot be fully eliminated, the aim is to establish a replicable, transparent, and fair standard for bonsai pottery judging—one that can be refined and improved with each iteration.
M E E T T H E J U D G E S
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W I L L I A M N. V A L A V A N I S
NEW YORK, USA STAGE 1 |
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L A U R E N T D A R R I E U X
COSMIC BONSAI FRANCE STAGE 1 |
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R O N L A N G
LANG BONSAI CONTAINERS NORTH CAROLINA, USA STAGE 1 & 2 |
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S A R A R A Y N E R
SARA RAYNER POTTERY MINNESOTA, USA STAGE 2 |
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J O N A S D U P U I C H
BONSAI TONIGHT CALIFORNIA, USA STAGE 3 |
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R O Y M I N A R A I
ROY MINARAI CERAMICS SOUTH CAROLINA, USA STAGE 3 |
T H A N K Y O U T O O U R S P O N S O R S
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D I S C O V E R P O T T E R S I S P R O U D T O S P O N S O R T H E 2 0 2 5 N O R T H A M E R I C A N B O N S A I P O T T E R Y C O M P E T I T I O N
Portrait photography courtesy of the judges. All other photographs by Angelica Ramirez.