My heartfelt thanks go to all those that helped make this magnificent weekend of events possible.

Although impossible to name everyone, I'd especially like to thank:

                           -   The 30 ceramic artists that exhibited their works.
                           -   The 20 pot collectors that exhibited.
                           -  EBPC stand potters: Fusion (Niels & Pjotr), Kanso (Rosa), Terrajade (Julien), & Shibusa (Lorenzo).

 With special thanks going to our HONOURED GUESTS:
                          * Mr Nakayama Senzan   - for his attendance – exquisite pottery display – talk & demonstration – & judging.
                         * Haruko Ohno, of 盆栽大野　Bonsai-ohno    - for translating & for her invaluable help (and Japanese lessons!).
                         * Angelica Ramirez of Discover Potters, & her father Angel - for their attendance & creating the bespoke lighting.
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                         * Our friends from Turkey, including artists İlker Durak and Hüseyin Soylu.
                         * Other friends & helpers: Peter, Jens, Simon, The Triskele Group, Philip, Maarten and others.

In coming days, I’ll be adding more posts for each of the pottery highlights organised by the EBPC:
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         - The POTTERY EXHIBITION, featuring:
                         o WINNERS – European Bonsai Pottery Contest 2026.
                         o European Bonsai Pottery Contest
                         o Exclusive Nakayama Senzan 17-piece Pot Display.
                                                    * including 10 museum pieces.
                         o Collector’s Display!
                         o NABPC ’25 (N. American B Pottery Contest) winner
                         display.

           - Nakayama Senzan POT TALK
                         o with PAINTING DEMONSTRATION!
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            - EBPC Stand. 
                         o hosting 5 exciting European Potters.

​Thank you for supporting the EBPC and great European Bonsai Pottery & Display.



#Europeanbonsaipottercollective #trophybonsai #Senzan #europeanbonsaipotterycontest #bonsaiassociationbelgium #thetrophybonsai #potterycontest #bonsaiexhibition #BonsaiPots #ebpcpots

With the significance of bonsai ceramics witnessing an ongoing surge in the West, the 13th of September 2025 saw the birth of the first International North American Bonsai Pottery Contest (NABPC) in Rochester, New York.

The NABPC was a celebration of the art, and the ceramics displayed are truly something to behold. It has been a pleasure to witness such commitment and dedication to the art, by both the extraordinary artists, and by the facilitators of the event.

Included in the display were ceramics by two ‘Honorary’ EBPC members. 
Roy Minarai created an exciting display in the honorary display category, and Anthony Smith of Willow Bonsai was awarded 1st place in the ‘contemporary glazed’ category, as seen below. 

Artists from across America and Canada produced very impressive entries for the following categories:

In addition to the sensational pot contest, visitors were treated to the non-competitive ‘honorary exhibits’ from a selection of celebrated ceramicists, including: Gayle Fiato, Roy Minarai, April Grigsby, Sara Rayner, and by French artist, The Ghost Potter.

Bonsai has a habit of creating lifelong friendships and strong bonds are often formed within the bonsai community, so when the community loses cherished friends and artists, it is always strongly felt by many.

Tribute displays were also created to honour and remember three such friends; Nick Lenz, Pauline Muth, and the U.K.’s Andrew Pearson of Stone Monkey Ceramics.

Judging a contest with such a varied and impressive selection of entries is no easy task. Being both functional items, and pieces of art in their own right, the ceramic entries displayed high levels of technical ability, combined with a deep appreciation of both bonsai and the ceramics they require. A spectacular display of workmanship, creativity and utility.

Bonsai as an artform is ever evolving, and whilst understanding and respecting the traditions that underlie bonsai is important, innovation and progression of bonsai ceramics is also to be encouraged and celebrated.    

The display encompassed a diverse range of artistic styles, forms and finishes, which was exciting to see, as it reflects the diverse range of bonsai trees and styles we cultivate and enjoy. Majestic and elegant traditional forms, expressive glazes, and some highly creative modern designs and interpretations. I would encourage anyone to spend a little time viewing all of the entries, through the links above.

After careful deliberation by a panel of esteemed judges, the winners were announced to much anticipation. Winning pots were lauded for their originality, craftsmanship, and functionality as a bonsai container.

First Place

•      Antony Smith (Contemporary Glazed)
•      Doug Trythall (Contemporary Unglazed)     
•      Nao Tokutake (Traditional Glazed)
•      Nao Tokutake (Unglazed)  
  

Second Place

• Stacy Allen Muse (Contemporary Glazed)
• Denise Soultanian (Contemporary Unglazed)
• Mary J. Lai (Wife of Nao Tokutake, Traditional Glazed)
• Mary J. Lai (Wife of Nao Tokutake, Traditional Unglazed)

 
Third Place

• Justine Stelmach (Contemporary Glazed)
• Thomas Adcock (Contemporary Unglazed)
• Kenneth V. Hanna (Traditional Glazed): 
• Mark Hanner (Traditional Unglazed)

The ABS Exhibition and the NABPC contest take place every two years, with the next edition in 2027. If you can't wait until then for more great bonsai pottery, don't miss the Trophy's European Bonsai Pottery Contest 28th March - 1st March 2026. 

We are delighted to announce that some of the winning pots from this NABPC will also be displayed at The European Bonsai Pottery Contest at The Trophy, in Belgium, as honorary exhibits for all to appreciate and enjoy. The winning pots from The Trophy’s EBPC pottery contest will also have the opportunity to be displayed at the NABPC in New York.

This collaboration between the NABPC and the EBPC & The Trophy reflects the friendship and support often found in bonsai, and we are confident it will inspire potters and further strengthen the bonds between our two communities.
 

to all of the potters that contributed to this inspirational contest. Being selected to display at such an event is an admirable achievement and each artist deserves our thanks and admiration. 

Antony and Mavourneen Smith ...aka ‘Willow Bonsai Pots’ are a wonderful couple from Pretoria, who have been passionately pushing the boundaries for South African bonsai and have become popular on the European bonsai scene. Antony demonstrated at the U.K. National Bonsai Show 2019, and whilst in London, I took the couple to visit leading potters; Stone Monkey Ceramics and Walsall Studio Ceramics. Having spent some time with them, it really was inspiring to see their dedication to bonsai and to creating attractive, useable and affordable pots.
 
We are excited to announce that Willow Bonsai Pots are producing a limited edition EBPC Stamped range of their beautiful pots, with some of their best forms and glazes. These will be available in the EBPC store, and will be released at ‘The Trophy’ exhibition, in Belgium at the end of February 2020.
 
Congratulations also to Willow Bonsai on their new website – being launched NOW – as this article is published! 

• So please check it out at  www.willowbonsaishop.com

 
But first, you can read more about them and see a selection of their pots on their ‘Potter Profile’ here.