As I reflect on my experience as the 2024 National Bonsai Apprentice, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and a profound sense of growth. Thanks to the support of the National Bonsai Foundation, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and the U.S. National Arboretum, I have gained invaluable knowledge and discovered a renewed confidence that will guide me for the rest of my life. This journey has not only deepened my understanding of the art of bonsai, but it has also transformed me as an artist and an individual. My time as the National Bonsai Apprentice will remain a golden milestone in my bonsai journey.
Just as it has enriched my knowledge of bonsai, this educational opportunity has enriched my knowledge of myself. From learning how to water efficiently to mastering the precise timing for pruning pine trees, every lesson has enhanced my skills and abilities. It has been an honor to be part of the talented team at this world-class museum.
One of the things I admire most is the attention to detail emphasized during my apprenticeship. By repeatedly performing the same technique on multiple trees of the same species, I learned to internalize the process, creating a natural response when working with other species of similar growth habits. For instance, my approach to a maple tree would be different from how I work with a pine tree; but I can apply the same pruning techniques to a beech as I would to a maple, since both are deciduous. This thorough understanding allows me to be more decisive and has elevated the quality and sophistication of my work.
The trust placed in me during this apprenticeship has been transformative, and it gave me a level of confidence I have rarely felt. In the past, I have faced doubt from others—particularly as a Black bonsai artist. I once told someone, “I am a Bonsai Artist,” only to have them laugh and reply, “Black people don’t do bonsai.” Encounters like that made me reserved and hesitant to fully show my potential. But at the museum, the staff’s belief in my abilities gave me the courage to step into my full self, as an artist and as a person.
One of my favorite tasks is pruning extended growth to redirect energy and refine a tree’s silhouette. Working on legendary specimens that many bonsai artists can only dream of is a real privilege. And seeing people admire the trees I worked on has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I’ll never forget the moment an entire family stood in front of a juniper I had just worked on, taking pictures and complimenting how beautiful the tree looked. Hearing their kind words about the work we do as bonsai artists gave me a profound boost of confidence and determination.
As my apprenticeship nears its end, I am filled with mixed emotions. I am honored and proud of my growth and success during this experience, but I will miss this place. When I first arrived, my biggest fear was that I might fail—despite my prior experience, I had never worked on trees of this caliber. But working alongside some of our nation’s greatest bonsai artists has strengthened my confidence and renewed my passion for this living art form even more. For that, I am deeply grateful.
My goal on this journey is to use the knowledge I’ve gained to pursue my dream of becoming a bonsai farmer. I believe the bonsai community in the United States needs an expert farmer who can provide high-quality material at a reasonable price. This apprenticeship has given me the confidence to take the next steps toward starting my own bonsai business, and soon I will be launching a company and online store to sell quality pre-bonsai trees. Meanwhile, I plan to continue my college education, focusing on botany. I have also been accepted into a Veteran Farmers Program, where I will gain skills that will directly improve my bonsai cultivation and growing practices.
I’ve found my focus in life, and that focus is the art of bonsai. Once again, thank you to the amazing people at the National Bonsai Foundation, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and the U.S. National Arboretum for helping me rediscover who I am and what my purpose is.
Warmly,
Isiah White
2024 National Bonsai Apprentice