For many years the Bonsai Society of the Carolinas has produced an exhibition of bonsai each year at the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show. The show, which is held in late February or early March each year, is a commercial venture produced by Southern Shows Incorporated of Charlotte. Southern Shows pays the BSC to produce this bonsai show and the money we receive is used to fund the Society’s activities and speakers each year.

Since the income from dues and membership dose not begin to cover the cost of operating the Society, it should surprise no one that the additional income we receive from Southern Shows Inc. has become a key element in our operating budget. Because of this, our rules about which individuals may participate and which trees may be placed in exhibition are somewhat different that they might be for a general showing of our memberships bonsai.

It should be obvious that we wish to keep the good folks at Southern Shows Inc. happy with our performance and thinking positive thoughts about us. We feel the best way to do this is to produce the best showing of trees possible. Considering the time of year this show is held, that is sometimes a difficult task, and can best be achieved by placing the decisions regarding the showing of trees into the hands of one person... the Show Chairman.

Eight trees are exhibited each year and it is the chairman’s task to see that they are presented in a professional and artistic manner which reflects well upon the Society and the Spring Show.

Anyone may apply to exhibit. However, remember that the objective for this particular show it to display specimen quality trees. Participation is open to everyone.  If you think you have a tree that is good enough for exhibition then we would like to know about it.  Remember that  our objective for this show is to produce a display of eight bonsai which meets the highest possible standards. This will insure maximum visual impact on visitors, who will then give the Spring Show’s managers positive feedback regarding our exhibit.

Beginning in 2006 a "People’s Choice" award will be made. The show is five days long. Those visiting the show during its first three days will be asked to vote on the display they like the best. On Friday evening, at closing, the ballots will be tabulated and the award presented on Saturday morning. The eight trees in exhibition will be judged and ranked according to the number of votes received. The top exhibit will receive the award. 

During the course of the year any Society member who wishes to enter a tree in the Spring Show competition may register to do so by simply contacting the show chairman. The chairman will then determine if that individual’s bonsai is of satisfactory quality to be placed in show. If the spaces cannot be filled in this manner the show chairman may then invite individuals whom he/she feels would have bonsai of satisfactory quality for exhibition. This may include asking existing exhibitors to show more than one tree or may include an invitation to  individuals or organizations outside our society.

The individual space available for each exhibitor will measure 4 feet wide by 40 inches high by 42 inches deep. These will be "tokonome" like boxes, the interiors of which will be painted a flat cream or egg shell white. They will also have a reed mat floors, bordered in black. Each exhibit area will be lit from above with a fluorescent bulb and from the front with a small, low voltage spotlight. All eight display spaces will be positioned in a line, side by side about four feet off of the floor. The exteriors of all exhibit spaces will be painted flat black.

Each exhibitor will be specifically responsible for the staging, content, composition and ultimate removal of materials in each of their assigned spaces. This will include not only the plant materials used, but, accents, figurines, stands, viewing stones, scrolls, pictures, etc. The order of assigned spaces will be random.  Exhibitors must provide show chairman with data including: common name of tree, botanical name, age of tree and years in training as bonsai, not later than one week prior to opening day, so that show cards may be prepared.

Each exhibitor will be responsible for transporting all elements of their display to the merchandise mart and setting up their own display. This will be done ONLY between Noon and 10 p.m. the day BEFORE the show opens to the public  AND AT NO OTHER TIME.  If, for some reason, you or your representative cannot comply with this schedule, you need to notify the show chairman immediately so that a replacement exhibitor can be found.

Each exhibitor will be responsible for removing all elements of their display when the show closes on Sunday.  Trees must remain in exhibit and may not be removed anytime prior to the show’s closing. 

Note: The chairman of the Southern Spring Show’s bonsai exhibit serves as the final and sole authority regarding all aspects of the Society’s bonsai exhibit. Such authority extends to the selection and inclusion of exhibitors as well as the inclusion (or rejection) of any bonsai materials presented for exhibit. Exhibitors are reminded that they must present healthy, clean, plant material in a "show ready" condition. Failure to do so, or failure to comply with the schedule outlined above may result in elimination from the present or  future shows. Likewise, exhibitors should be aware that the BSC assumes no liability for theft or damage of any articles or bonsai placed on exhibition. (It should be noted that we have never had such an incident in the history of the show.)