Page 32 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2015Q4

THE

ARTISANS

CUP

Advancing the

American Bonsai Identity

By Paul Pikel, USA
Photographs by Paul Pikel, Louise Leister and Rhys Lynn

he inaugural Artisans Cup was held at the Portland Art
Museum in Portland, Oregon from September 25-27,
2015, and I was fortunate enough to be included as an
exhibitor for this event. This was a show like I’ve never
Texperienced before and I’m not sure it could ever be du-
plicated; though, I am sure many will try.
The build up to the show continually grew, as many of us have
been waiting since its first mention in 2011. The three months prior
to the show, the energy and anticipation amongst the bonsai com-
munity had swelled to nothing short of a child’s joy on Christmas
eve. This was the show to take bonsai in America in a new direction,
and we have been waiting for this for a long time.
The amount of thought and planning that went into this show
was impressive. Ryan and Chelsea Neil produced a cohesive and
polished event by directing a professional team of architectural de-
signers, photographers, graphic designers, marketers and fabrica-
tors. The undertaking was huge and the pressure was immense but
Ryan Neil Collection, Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii. This large tree made you would never see it on their faces. The Neils offered only smiles,
an indelible impression on visitors leaving the main display area. This massive
composition measured over two meters in width. warm handshakes and sometimes a hug as they greeted each guest
to the show.

30 | BCI | October/November/December 2015