Kathy Shaner

Internationally known and recognized for her excellence in the art form, Shaner began bonsai in 1983 in California. After ten years of study she obtained a 5 year apprenticeship with Sensei Yasuo Mitsuya, highly regarded Master of Gendai (contemporary form) bonsai training. She is the first non-Japanese and the first woman certified by the professional bonsai grower's branch of Nippon Bonsai Association. During her apprenticeship, she published a series of articles in Golden Statements magazine chronicling her training and adventures in Japan. Upon completion of her apprenticeship in 1994, Ms. Shaner has worked in bonsai on a full time basis. She has lectured and conducted seminars and workshops, at many National and International Conventions, while also working on many private collections throughout the United States. Ms. Shaner uses her knowledge and ability to find the "soul of the tree." Then, using creative and specialized techniques, she teaches her students the art and culture of bonsai in a clear and understandable way. Her critiques are filled with positive ideas about how to improve each tree. In addition to her teaching and private collection work, Kathy Shaner is the curator of the Golden State Bonsai Collection- North at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, which opened in the fall of 1999.

Suthin Sukosolvisit

Born in Thailand, Suthin has extensive experience with tropical bonsai. His expertise also includes Japanese maple, Juniper, Azalea, Black Pine and many other species. Suthin has won multiple National Bonsai Awards in Thailand and the United States. He lectures all around the world and at some of the most important bonsai conventions in the United States. Suthin shares new information and techniques whenever he teaches. His bonsai are known for their proportion, refinement and detail. He is mostly admired for his remarkable Shohin Bonsai designs. Suthin and his wife operate the Royal Bonsai Garden in Stoughton, Massachusetts.

Bjorn L Bjorholm

Bjorn L Bjorholm is a bonsai artist and instructor who spent six years as an apprentice under Master Keiichi Fujikawa at Kouka-en bonsai nursery in Osaka, Japan before receiving certification as a bonsai professional by the Nippon Bonsai Association. His tenure as an apprentice at Kouka-en was followed by three years as artist-in-residence at the same location, making him the first and only foreign-born working bonsai professional in Japan. During his time in Japan, Bjorn's works were featured in the Kokufu-ten, Sakufu-ten, and Taikan-ten exhibitions, among many others. In addition to his work in Japan, Bjorn travels the world, from Europe to Asia to Latin America, teaching bonsai art and providing services to private clients and international organizations. He operates intensive bonsai schools with affiliate nurseries in Spain and the United States, while also working with international bonsai organizations. In 2017, Bjorn and his wife Nanxi Chen relocated back to the US, and they are currently working to establish their bonsai nursery and school in Nashville, TN (established in 2018). Bjorn Bjorholm's works have been featured in, and received awards at, major bonsai exhibitions around the world, including the Kokufu-ten, Taikan-ten, and Sakufu-ten shows in Japan, the Noelander's Trophy in Europe, and the US National Bonsai Exhibition in the States.

Bjorn L

Bjorholm

Bjorn L Bjorholm is a bonsai artist and instructor who spent six years as an apprentice under Master Keiichi Fujikawa at Kouka-en bonsai nursery in Osaka, Japan before receiving certification as a bonsai professional by the Nippon Bonsai Association. His tenure as an apprentice at Kouka- en was followed by three years as artist-in-residence at the same location, making him the first and only foreign-born working bonsai professional in Japan. During his time in Japan, Bjorn's works were featured in the Kokufu-ten, Sakufu-ten, and Taikan- ten exhibitions, among many others. In addition to his work in Japan, Bjorn travels the world, from Europe to Asia to Latin America, teaching bonsai art and providing services to private clients and international organizations. He operates intensive bonsai schools with affiliate nurseries in Spain and the United States, while also working with international bonsai organizations. In 2017, Bjorn and his wife Nanxi Chen relocated back to the US, and they are currently working to establish their bonsai nursery and school in Nashville, TN (established in 2018). Bjorn Bjorholm's works have been featured in, and received awards at, major bonsai exhibitions around the world, including the Kokufu-ten, Taikan-ten, and Sakufu-ten shows in Japan, the Noelander's Trophy in Europe, and the US National Bonsai Exhibition in the States.

Kathy Shaner

Internationally known and recognized for her excellence in the art form, Shaner began bonsai in 1983 in California. After ten years of study she obtained a 5 year apprenticeship with Sensei Yasuo Mitsuya, highly regarded Master of Gendai (contemporary form) bonsai training. She is the first non-Japanese and the first woman certified by the professional bonsai grower's branch of Nippon Bonsai Association. During her apprenticeship, she published a series of articles in Golden Statements magazine chronicling her training and adventures in Japan. Upon completion of her apprenticeship in 1994, Ms. Shaner has worked in bonsai on a full time basis. She has lectured and conducted seminars and workshops, at many National and International Conventions, while also working on many private collections throughout the United States. Ms. Shaner uses her knowledge and ability to find the "soul of the tree." Then, using creative and specialized techniques, she teaches her students the art and culture of bonsai in a clear and understandable way. Her critiques are filled with positive ideas about how to improve each tree. In addition to her teaching and private collection work, Kathy Shaner is the curator of the Golden State Bonsai Collection-North at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, which opened in the fall of 1999.

Suthin

Sukosolvisit

Born in Thailand, Suthin has extensive experience with tropical bonsai. His expertise also includes Japanese maple, Juniper, Azalea, Black Pine and many other species. Suthin has won multiple National Bonsai Awards in Thailand and the United States. He lectures all around the world and at some of the most important bonsai conventions in the United States. Suthin shares new information and techniques whenever he teaches. His bonsai are known for their proportion, refinement and detail. He is mostly admired for his remarkable Shohin Bonsai designs. Suthin and his wife operate the Royal Bonsai Garden in Stoughton, Massachusetts.