Austin Bonsai Society

Home
United States
Austin, TX
Austin Bonsai Society

Directions Website Contact the organization

The Society holds regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. Our social hour begins at 7:00 PM, followed by our program at 7:30 PM.

The Austin Bonsai Society is a non-profit organization that exists to help provide guidance and education for individuals in their desire to learn and expand their knowledge and skill in the art of bonsai. Normally these meetings are held in the AAGC building at Zilker Botanical Gardens, located on Barton Springs Road in Austin, Texas. We offer a monthly program of interest to the general membership. This program consists of lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practice and many techniques to increase our collective knowledge of this art form. Visitors are always welcome! Also, the Society organizes several field trips each year to collect native plant material, such as cedar elm and Ashe juniper, which are suitable for development as bonsai. In addition, in July 1987, we organized a separate Beginners Study Group to help the newer or less experienced members enhance their basic bonsai skills. This meeting is now our Monthly Members Workshop where practical bonsai skills are honed. The Society operates a lending library of bonsai books, magazines and videos on bonsai development prepared by several of the ranking U.S. professional bonsai artists. Each year, the Society holds at least one public exhibition of the members' trees. Currently these are being held in the Zilker Garden Center. The Society also arranges to have nationally known bonsai experts from throughout the country visit Austin to conduct public workshops and demonstrations. As a member, you will be able to participate in these events. We publish a monthly newsletter which is distributed to the membership and is included in your annual membership fee. The cost of membership is nominal, presently only $30.00 for an individual and $35.00 for a family membership. Now is the time to join! For this small cost, you can join us in the pleasure of sharing in knowledge and techniques about bonsai with those who share this common interest.

10/11/2026

** Location and Date Change for next meeting: We will be meeting on Wed October 21st 6:30-9:00pm at the meeting room of the First English Lutheran Church, as Zilker is still unavailable. Address below.

For our October meeting, LSBF visiting artist Rob Kempinski will join the Austin Bonsai Society on the 21st (remember the date change, one week later than usual) for a hands-on demonstration featuring a collected Dwarf Yaupon Holly, one of Texas’s most adaptable native species. Known for his award‑winning work with both tropical and temperate bonsai, Rob will showcase styling, carving, and refinement techniques that highlight the species’ natural movement and fine ramification. This session offers members a chance to learn from one of the country’s most respected artists and gain practical insights into developing their own bonsai. A great opportunity to study with a master and deepen your bonsai practice.

First English Lutheran Church
3001 Whittis Ave.
Austin, TX 78705

08/31/2026

The upcoming September 9th meeting features Sylvia Smith, who will be working on an Ashe Juniper, providing us with an opportunity to see her approach to developing this native Texas species. And, as usual, the Ashe juniper will be available in the raffle at the end of the night. We're very excited to have Sylvia visit us again, and hope to see a good turnout to welcome her to Austin.

Sylvia has 30 years of bonsai experience, and has served as the resident bonsai instructor for the Bonsai Society of Dallas (2015-2023) and Ft. Worth Bonsai Society (2017-2025). Her awards include: “Best in Show”, “Honorable Mention” and “People’s Choice Award” at the LSBF 2017 Convention; “Best Deciduous Tree” at the LSBF 2019 Convention; “Best Small Shohin Display” at the LSBF 2023 Convention; and “Best in Show” and “Best Conifer” at BCI 2024. I’m very excited to have Sylvia visit us again, and hope to see a good turnout to welcome her to Austin.

Please note that we have a venue change for this meeting:
First English Lutheran Church
3001 Whitis Ave., Austin 78705
6:30 PM – Mingling and setup
7:00 PM – Meeting begins

08/07/2026

***Location change for next meeting: due to construction at Zilker, we will be meeting at First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78705 ensuring our gatherings continue without interruption.

This next meeting, on August 12, 6:30-9:00pm features a visit from local artist and ABS member Roland Lopez. Roland will be showing members how to create compelling bonsai from cuttings using tropical species. He will also show how to create big bends, how to create a good nebari from cuttings, and also some grafting techniques.

This should be a fun program and demo, and as always there will be a raffle at the end of the night. Don't miss it!

07/07/2026

This week's July 8th meeting from 6:30-9:00pm at Zilker Botanical Garden will be a hands-on workshop featuring Anacacho orchid and Coralberry trees in 5 gallon pots at $35 per tree. These trees were originally purchased by the club for use as workshop material for the 2026 convention, and they looked pretty good when purchased. They have since had 2 years of growth in large pots, so they are in pretty good shape for bonsai! If you preordered a tree, it will be ready for you at the meeting. We also expect to have a limited number of additional trees available for purchase while supplies last. Joey will be sharing his expertise on styling and developing Anacacho orchid and coralberry bonsai, offering demonstrations, techniques, and individual feedback throughout the workshop. Whether you're working on one of the featured species or your own tree, you'll have the opportunity to benefit from his experience and ask questions about your design and horticultural choices. This workshop is a great opportunity to get personalized guidance, regardless of what you're working on.

If you didn't preorder—or simply want to work on a different project—you are welcome to bring your own tree of any species. It's a great time of year for working on tropicals. So bring in a tropical tree or two, and get some advice and guidance from your fellow club members. And if you don't have a tropical tree, that's ok, bring in what you have that you would like some help with, and we'll help you out. See you there!

05/30/2026

For our June meeting, we have a change of date! Our upcoming club meeting at Zilker Botanical Garden is the first Wednesday June 3rd from 6:30–9:00 PM. We have another club-favorite BYOT night, focused on junipers and other conifers. Don’t worry, if you don’t have a conifer you want to work on, or at all, you can still bring in any tree you want. Just please be sure the tree is free of pests, etc. before bringing it to the meeting. Also, bring tools, wire, and whatever else you may need. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on practice, learn from fellow members, and continue developing your skills.
Also at the June meeting we will have a sign up available for a “mini-workshop”, to be held during our July meeting, which is another BYOT night. We will have two types of trees that members can purchase from the club. First is Anacacho Orchid Trees in 5 gallon pots and second is a Coralberry, also in 5 gallon pots. The price is TBD, but should be quite affordable. We will work on the trees at the July meeting. Again, don't worry - you don't have to purchase one of the trees to participate; you can bring in any tree you want.
Shown below is a beautiful Japanese Black Pine from our Show last month.

05/07/2026

We’re pleased to welcome guest artist Dawn Koetting of Louisiana to our monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 13, at Zilker Botanical Garden, 6:30-9:00pm. Dawn will be focusing on shohin development and will be working on four Shohin-sized demonstration trees, offering a great opportunity to learn more about creating and refining these smaller-scale bonsai. They will of course be raffled off at the end of the meeting. Dawn is an award-winning bonsai artist and great teacher, so be sure to be at the meeting to learn a few things. And maybe win a cool tree!

04/13/2026

Great meeting getting our membership ready to bring in bonsai to the May show next month, showing how the different elements of display fit together and work to show off our bonsai in the best way. We also went tree by tree to discuss ways to make improvements to bring out their best. Big thank you to May, our star photographer.

Address

2220 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX
78746

Opening Hours

7pm - 9pm

Website

http://www.austinbonsaisociety.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Austin Bonsai Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Austin Bonsai Society:

Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization in Austin?