G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N
Registration for ABS non-members: the first pot is $75. Each additional pot is $30. Registration for ABS members: the first pot is $50. Each additional pot is $25. Payment is due only if a pot is accepted. Payment will be processed once entrants are notified of their acceptance. Forms of payment not able to be processed will need to be updated. Non-payment will result in entry removal.
Each potter can register in up to four (4) categories, only one (1) pot per category, up to four (4) pots total. No repeated categories allowed. Categories are: Traditional Unglazed, Traditional Glazed, Contemporary Unglazed, and Contemporary Glazed.
The entrant must be the artist and owner of the pot, and the work must have been completed within the last two years. Collaborations with other artists are not permitted, except for those within the same household. An exception to this rule applies for the non-competitive display.
Pot Limitations: Pots can be up to 16 inches (outside diameter). Pots more than 16 inches will not be accepted. Pots must have been created within the last two years. The entrant must be the artist and owner of the pot.
NO MAIL-IN ENTRIES. All pots must be physically delivered to the event. If you are unable to attend, consider asking a trusted friend who is attending to bring your pots. There will be no shipping or delivery service provided by the American Bonsai Society and its associated persons or groups.
Entry is open to all ceramic artists, 18 years and older, who are residents of North America including:
United States of America
Canada
Mexico
Caribbean Islands
Residents outside of the North American countries/regions listed above are not eligible to enter the competition.
Participating artists agree to allow ABS and visitors of the event to photograph their work while on display for educational and publicity purposes. Images and information of displayed works will be retained by ABS for promotional purposes, catalog production, posting on the ABS website and sharing with media related publications.
Each potter can register in up to four (4) categories, only one (1) pot per category, up to four (4) pots total. No repeated categories allowed. Categories are: Traditional Unglazed, Traditional Glazed, Contemporary Unglazed, and Contemporary Glazed.
The entrant must be the artist and owner of the pot, and the work must have been completed within the last two years. Collaborations with other artists are not permitted, except for those within the same household. An exception to this rule applies for the non-competitive display.
Pot Limitations: Pots can be up to 16 inches (outside diameter). Pots more than 16 inches will not be accepted. Pots must have been created within the last two years. The entrant must be the artist and owner of the pot.
NO MAIL-IN ENTRIES. All pots must be physically delivered to the event. If you are unable to attend, consider asking a trusted friend who is attending to bring your pots. There will be no shipping or delivery service provided by the American Bonsai Society and its associated persons or groups.
Entry is open to all ceramic artists, 18 years and older, who are residents of North America including:
United States of America
Canada
Mexico
Caribbean Islands
Residents outside of the North American countries/regions listed above are not eligible to enter the competition.
Participating artists agree to allow ABS and visitors of the event to photograph their work while on display for educational and publicity purposes. Images and information of displayed works will be retained by ABS for promotional purposes, catalog production, posting on the ABS website and sharing with media related publications.
A P P L I C A T I O N S
One application per person. ABS reserves the right to exclude from adjudication any submissions that include more than four works and any incorrect or incomplete submissions.
The following information will be retained by ABS for promotional purposes, catalog production, posting on the ABS and or Discover Potters website, and sharing with media related publications:
Artist information including full name, photo, biography, and general location (state and/or country).
All Images and information of accepted works.
All other application information will be retained by ABS only for event purposes and will not be shared or published unless otherwise stated in the terms and conditions.
The winning artists must be willing and consent to a story and photograph for distribution through traditional media and social media channels.
All applicants are required to sign an artist release, waiver of liability & loan agreement in order to participate in the event.
The following information will be retained by ABS for promotional purposes, catalog production, posting on the ABS and or Discover Potters website, and sharing with media related publications:
Artist information including full name, photo, biography, and general location (state and/or country).
All Images and information of accepted works.
All other application information will be retained by ABS only for event purposes and will not be shared or published unless otherwise stated in the terms and conditions.
The winning artists must be willing and consent to a story and photograph for distribution through traditional media and social media channels.
All applicants are required to sign an artist release, waiver of liability & loan agreement in order to participate in the event.
A W A R D S
Four prizes will be awarded per category:
1st Place: $500, trophy, certificate, and an article in the ABS Journal.
2nd Place: Certificate, name in ABS Journal.
3rd Place: Certificate, name in ABS Journal.
People’s Choice: Certificate and name in ABS Journal.
People’s choice will be decided by the general public. People’s Choice will also be awarded to an overall favorite winner.
The winning artists must be willing and consent to a story and photograph for distribution through traditional media and social media channels.
Prize money will be delivered within 30 days of the prize announcement.
Winners will be notified on September 13th, 2025. Winners will be published in the ABS journal, website, and social media channels.
1st Place: $500, trophy, certificate, and an article in the ABS Journal.
2nd Place: Certificate, name in ABS Journal.
3rd Place: Certificate, name in ABS Journal.
People’s Choice: Certificate and name in ABS Journal.
People’s choice will be decided by the general public. People’s Choice will also be awarded to an overall favorite winner.
The winning artists must be willing and consent to a story and photograph for distribution through traditional media and social media channels.
Prize money will be delivered within 30 days of the prize announcement.
Winners will be notified on September 13th, 2025. Winners will be published in the ABS journal, website, and social media channels.
J U D G I N G
Stage 1 Entry judging will be conducted by Bill Valavanis, Laurent Darrieux, and Ron Lang. Stage 2 Online competition judging will be conducted by Bill Valavanis, Laurent Darrieux, Ron Lang, and Sara Rayner. Stage 3 In-Person competition judging panel will be Boon Manakitivipart, Jonas Dupuich, and Roy Minarai.
Competition judging will take place at the ABS Learning Seminar on September 13th, 2025. ABS reserves the right to exclude from the exhibition works that arrive at the venue in unstable condition and works that cannot be physically accommodated or which differs from the submitted images.
Artist must submit photos and requested information, including a description that is no more than 300 words of their work. Submitted photos and work information will be used for judging purposes. Artist’s personal information will not be used for judging purposes.
The judge’s decisions are final.
Competition judging will take place at the ABS Learning Seminar on September 13th, 2025. ABS reserves the right to exclude from the exhibition works that arrive at the venue in unstable condition and works that cannot be physically accommodated or which differs from the submitted images.
Artist must submit photos and requested information, including a description that is no more than 300 words of their work. Submitted photos and work information will be used for judging purposes. Artist’s personal information will not be used for judging purposes.
The judge’s decisions are final.
S C H E D U L E & T R A N S P O R T A T I O N
Registration opens (TBA) and closes July 1st, 2025. Entrants will be notified if their entry is accepted no later than July 31st, 2025. Please double check your entry information, as no changes will be allowed after Deadline: July 1, 2025.
Selected pots will be on display at the 2025 ABS Learning Seminars in conjunction with the 9th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, New York on September 13th, 2025 from 9am to 3pm EST.
As conditions of entry, you agree to transport your pot at your expense to the DoubleTree Hotel located at 1111 Jefferson Road, Rochester, New York 14623. Pots may begin to arrive as early as Friday, September 12th at 12pm EST (noon). All pots must arrive and be on display by Saturday, September 13th at 8am EST. All pots are to be collected after the conclusion of the event on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 3pm EST and must be collected by 4pm EST.
Any pots not collected by 4pm EST on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 will be deemed a gift to the American Bonsai Society (unless transportation or other prior arrangement have been agreed upon by both parties). Entrants may also elect to donate their pot regardless of competition outcome. By doing so, entrants relinquish all property rights and give the American Bonsai Society the right to display, store, or sell the work.
Entrants are responsible for the cost, packing, and logistics of transporting the pot to and from the event. The American Bonsai Society, the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, Discover Potters, and any affiliated persons or groups are not responsible for the transportation, safety, and security of any pots submitted. The American Bonsai Society, the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, Discover Potters, and any affiliated persons or groups are not liable for any damage that may occur to any pots due to transportation to and from the event.
The American Bonsai Society, the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, and Discover Potters, and any affiliated persons or groups take no responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen pots.
Selected pots will be on display at the 2025 ABS Learning Seminars in conjunction with the 9th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, New York on September 13th, 2025 from 9am to 3pm EST.
As conditions of entry, you agree to transport your pot at your expense to the DoubleTree Hotel located at 1111 Jefferson Road, Rochester, New York 14623. Pots may begin to arrive as early as Friday, September 12th at 12pm EST (noon). All pots must arrive and be on display by Saturday, September 13th at 8am EST. All pots are to be collected after the conclusion of the event on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 3pm EST and must be collected by 4pm EST.
Any pots not collected by 4pm EST on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 will be deemed a gift to the American Bonsai Society (unless transportation or other prior arrangement have been agreed upon by both parties). Entrants may also elect to donate their pot regardless of competition outcome. By doing so, entrants relinquish all property rights and give the American Bonsai Society the right to display, store, or sell the work.
Entrants are responsible for the cost, packing, and logistics of transporting the pot to and from the event. The American Bonsai Society, the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, Discover Potters, and any affiliated persons or groups are not responsible for the transportation, safety, and security of any pots submitted. The American Bonsai Society, the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, Discover Potters, and any affiliated persons or groups are not liable for any damage that may occur to any pots due to transportation to and from the event.
The American Bonsai Society, the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, and Discover Potters, and any affiliated persons or groups take no responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen pots.
S A L E S
Pots may be offered for sale at the discretion of the artist. Artists must declare a value on all works at the time of submission and these values may not be altered at any subsequent time. American Bonsai Society will refer sales inquiries to an ABS representative who will handle sales of artwork on exhibit; a 20% commission will be retained by ABS on all sales. Please check the price you entered and make sure it includes the 20% commission. No price changes will be allowed after a work is accepted.
All sales will open on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 9am EST and conclude at 3pm EST. Sales are on a first come, first serve basis.
Pick up for all sold pots will be at the end of the display during the display take down on Saturday, September 13th at 3pm EST. ABS will not be responsible for the pickup, delivery, or shipping of any pots sold. Any sold pots not collected by 4pm EST on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 will be refunded* and the pot deemed a gift to the American Bonsai Society (unless transportation or other prior arrangement have been agreed upon by both parties).
*No refunds on ABS commissions will be provided.
All sales will open on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 9am EST and conclude at 3pm EST. Sales are on a first come, first serve basis.
Pick up for all sold pots will be at the end of the display during the display take down on Saturday, September 13th at 3pm EST. ABS will not be responsible for the pickup, delivery, or shipping of any pots sold. Any sold pots not collected by 4pm EST on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 will be refunded* and the pot deemed a gift to the American Bonsai Society (unless transportation or other prior arrangement have been agreed upon by both parties).
*No refunds on ABS commissions will be provided.
I M P O R T A N T N O T E
By submitting an application, applicants agree to participate and ensure that their entries will be delivered to the event if accepted. Only the pieces selected through the jury review will be included in the exhibit, and substitutions are not permitted. If accepted into the exhibit, entry fees will be processed. Please note that entry fees are non-refundable, even if the applicant is unable to arrange transportation for their pieces to the event. We encourage all applicants to carefully consider their ability to deliver their entries before submitting.
By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge they have read, understood, and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
By submitting an application, applicants agree to participate and ensure that their entries will be delivered to the event if accepted. Only the pieces selected through the jury review will be included in the exhibit, and substitutions are not permitted. If accepted into the exhibit, entry fees will be processed. Please note that entry fees are non-refundable, even if the applicant is unable to arrange transportation for their pieces to the event. We encourage all applicants to carefully consider their ability to deliver their entries before submitting.
By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge they have read, understood, and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
For Learning Seminars tickets, lodging, transportation, merchandise, and all other event information, please visit the American Bonsai Society website.
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