One of the very best Bonsai Exhibitions on the European circuit is now over again for another year - but what a weekend it was! 
Here is a brief overview of parts of the show from the EBPC perspective. 

The EBPC trade stand, as in previous years, is quite imposing at 30ft in length and is beautifully positioned, directly opposite to exhibition trees, yet with maximum space for enthusiasts to browse in comfort.  Pots by over 20 EBPC member potters were available on the stand, the main focus this year was on new pots by: Bryan Albright, Ian Baillie, Me & Raimondi, Guerao and Walsall Studio Ceramics. 

The EBPC had on offer a variety of fantastic new pots from many of europe's leading potters, and enjoyed a very fun and successful weekend trading. We would like to thank not only our customers, both returning and new, but also the fantastic EBPC potter members for creating such wonderful pots especially for the EBPC and its customers; many great pieces were snapped up, and we look forward to seeing more photographs soon in 'Trees in EBPC pots'!  (Please don't forget to send them in! )

In recent years at high level shows such as this, there has been a noticeable increase in the quality of not just the trees, but also the bonsai pots chosen. Many more bonsai artists and hobbyists are learning to appreciate the intricate attributes of high quality bonsai pots and the benefit of their appropriate use.
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This year, a large number of the trees in the exhibition were in high quality European bonsai pots, in addition to Japanese or antique Chinese containers, which made selecting the 'EBPC Best Match European Pot and Tree' winner a difficult task. After much deliberation however, three of the EBPC member potters and myself all agreed on the eventual outcome. 

Which were your favourite Pot / Tree combinations?

This award focuses on the best combination of pot with tree, rather than the best tree or pot in themselves. Myself and 3 EBPC member potters were looking for a balanced harmonious coupling of tree and pot, whereby the pot enhances the overall image and characteristics of the tree, without being an overriding focal point in itself. 
As can be seen above, many of the trees were beautifully paired with their European pots, so this was a difficult call to make, however, each of the judges were in agreement on the winner - this beautiful Ulmus Carpinifolie in a shallow rectangular Bryan Albright bonsai pot by Martin Nielson of Denmark. 

An explanation of our thoughts ... 
- The width of the pot is perfect; it does not 'clash' with the foliage by being the same width, and as the tree is taller than it is wide, the pot width is less than the width of the foliage spread, and by just the right amount.
- The shallow profile of this pot gives this composition a landscape impression of a tree in an open field.
- The shallow pot depth also enhances the trunk of the tree. 
- The straight lines of the rectangle balance the composition and harmonise with the feminine characteristics of the tree.
- This shape does not clash with the round foliage mass as a round pot might.
- The soft glaze in blue with hints of light browns compliments beautifully the colours of the autumnal turning leaves. 
- The 'shibui' form of the pot, together with this soft yet vibrant glaze, do not overpower the tree - but act to emphasise the trunk and the beautiful colour within the well ramified foliage mass. 

The Trophy for this category was made by the fantastic potter; EBPC member, Sabine Besnard and depicts a 'pot & Prunus mume branch in flower,' sculpted from clay and mounted on a beautiful piece of hardwood, with laser inscribed lettering and the stamp marks of Sabine Besnard and the EBPC. 
 

This has covered of course just a fraction of what was on offer at this great exhibition. As a trader it is hard to see or record all of the show, and I was unable to look in on for example the demonstrations by world-leading bonsai artists; Bjorn Bjorholm, Raffael Torres and Jan Culek, although im sure you will find many other blogs about those. 

There were also around 10 EBPC potter members trading themselves, and it was wonderful to catch up with them and our customers and friends from around Europe. A final thank you must go out to the incredible organisers of this event, Fred and Stephanie Chenal, whose tireless work throughout the year make it possible for so many to gain enjoyment from such a well organised and friendly event. ... See you next year!

www.EuropeanBonsaiPotterCollective.com

     The EBPC are very excited to be attending and supporting one of Europe's premiere shows, and one of our personal favourites - the EBBS in Saulieu France next weekend. This is an open hall exhibition with everything in one enormous room. The ex-cattle market has imposing vaulted ceiling beams and ample light flooding in, making it an ideal venue. 
This exhibition has improved year on year and the standard of trees, demonstrations and traders is superb. The organisers have also done an incredible job creating a show with a warm friendly atmosphere. 
With many of Europe's finest trees on show, and demonstrators on the level of Bjorn Bjorholm, Mauro Stemberg, and Jan Culek, including many other attractions (superb new EBPC pots for example!) this is a show not to be missed!  

A beautiful handmade EBPC trophy kindly made by leading ceramist Sabine Besnard of France will be awarded to the winner of the category 'Best European Bonsai Pot and Tree Combination'. ​ The trophy is of an Ume branch in flower ,with a matching bowl on wood, and is laser etched and has both the stamps of Sabine and the EBPC.

As with each year, the EBPC will also donate a prize for the increasingly popular 'Tombola raffle'. This year a stunning pot by the fantastic and highly skilled artist, Ian Baillie of Scotland will be donated and taken home by one lucky winner. 

We are especially excited about the EBPC trade stand this year, as we ave had some fantastic new pots in especially for this event, by some of the most sought after artists in Europe! .. Be sure to stop by the stand and say 'hi'!

Thank you for reading and we hope to see you there! 
Alex

The EBPC has supported this show since we formed in 2016, and with over 200 pots and 28ft of trading space, we were sure to arrive early as setting up takes quite some time. Heathrow show has a large main room for the exhibition and tree sales, and another room for traders of pots and dry goods. 

As always the EBPC pots proved extremely popular and some superb pieces were snapped up by customers old and new. Some great new pots were also collected from some of the potters, which will be available in the EBPC shop soon. 

I was also display trees with Maidstone Bonsai Society. Below are a few of my trees in our display, including my Olive which took joint 1st place in the exhibitor's vote. (The other joint 1st went to another Maidstone club member, Dean, with his beautiful Kokonoe Pine that can be seen behind.)

We are thrilled and honoured to be supporting the Bonsai San 2018 exhibition in France this October. In addition to trading some of Europe's best pots, we are also contributing to the Tombola raffle, and presenting the trophy for 'Best European Pot / Tree Combo'.
The trophy is now finished and these great pictures from designer Nino in Croatia show the trophy off in all its glory. Nino does a lot of design work for Harry at Bonsai4Me.com and for the EBPC and as always, has risen to the challenge and smashed all expectations! 

Sunday 8th April saw the much anticipated first Expo Bonsai U.K. exhibition, located just outside West London. This show is set to be the largest show in the South of England, and in time may well grow into one of Europe's great shows. 

The European Bonsai Potter Collective is proud to support this great new event, and in addition to trading and displaying a tree, the EBPC are also proud sponsors for the trophy for 'best pot and tree combination'.  I would like to express a warm thank you to all of the EBPC / B4Me team for your hard work and great company on the day! I can confidently say we all had a very enjoyable day. From left to right: Maarten, Mark, Tom, Alex, Harry, Sean & John. 

The tree I entered, is an Arakawa maple in a pot by Peter Krebs. The table is by Doug Mudd, and the pyracantha accent is in an Ino Shukuho pot.

A few trees I was very impressed by ... 

Huge congratulations to all of the winners who are listed below ..  including Simon Temblett who won the EBPC sponsored trophy for best tree and pot combination with this stunning Hawthorne in a nanban style pot by Dan Barton. The rustic design of the nanban with the 'kink' to the rim, compliments the ragged deadwood of the trunk wonderfully! 

Here are the final results of the show. 

BEST IN SHOW, SUPPORTED BY SARUYAMA BONSAI: JOHN PITT, BLACKTHORN.
BEST LARGE DECIDUOUS DISPLAY SUPPORTED BY GREENWOOD BONSAI STUDIO: MARK & RITTA COOPER, TRIDENT MAPLE.
Runner up: Steve McKee.
BEST LARGE CONIFER DISPLAY SUPPORTED BY KAIZEN BONSAI: MO FAGAN, CHAMAECYPARIS.
Runner up: Dean Morgan.
BEST MAME/SHOHIN DISPLAY SUPPORTED BY WINDYBANK BONSAI: JOHN ARMITAGE.
Runner up: Mark & Ritta Cooper.
BEST ACCENT PLANTING SUPPORTED BY LEE VERHOREVOORT BONSAI: JOHN PITT.
Runner up: Andy Jordan.
BEST TREE/POT COMBINATION SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERS COLLECTIVE: SIMON TEMBLETT.
Runner up: Ian Cuppleditch.

We would like to thank the organisers, Steve, Mark, Brian, Ming and Tony as well as all of those who helped out in the organisation and running of the event. A superb job was done by all in putting on an extremely enjoyable and great quality bonsai exhibition. We will be back for future events! 

This style of pot has been for sale by the EBPC, and have proven very popular. The pots are expertly thrown on a wheel, with a twisting detail gently added, together with interesting details such as the feet and basal bands. The almost metallic grey glaze finish is beautifully complimented by a subtle but contrasting glimpse of gold beneath the rim. 

Roman has recently made a series of stunning ovals which are currently available in the EBPC / B4Me shop. Once again, congratulations Roman!