As we welcome the new year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and passion for the living arts of bonsai and penjing.
This past year was filled with growth, connection, and creativity—all made possible by your unwavering support. Whether you attended an event, made a donation, or shared your love for bonsai with others, you helped us cultivate a thriving community. And through the incredible generosity of our committed donors, we exceeded our fundraising goals, including our ambitious end-of-year giving match challenge. We deeply appreciate everyone who contributed!
With your help, we accomplished a lot in 2024:
We played a role in welcoming distinguished visitors to Washington, DC throughout the year. Most prominently, we helped U.S. National Arboretum staff prepare an awe-inspiring display of bonsai for the state visit of Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, including many renowned masterpieces that were past gifts from Japanese artists and heads of state. These visits further elevate bonsai's global stature and highlight the ways that the art of bonsai can cross cultural boundaries and strengthen diplomatic connections.
We proudly sponsored the National Bonsai Apprentice, Isiah White, for an extended term with an increased stipend. This program ensures the traditions and techniques of bonsai are passed on to the next generation of up-and-coming bonsai artists.
World Bonsai Day brought together enthusiasts around the globe in a celebration of art and nature, and featured a Mayoral proclamation, exhibits and workshops from the Potomac Bonsai Association Festival, special guest artists, and fun activities. The energy from this event reminded us of bonsai's power to unite us across cultures and continents.
We completed a major project to replace all of the tree labels in the Museum, which over the years have become outdated, damaged, and inconsistently formatted. The new labels, which are professionally redesigned to provide a more uniform, more readable system with an improved look, will be installed early this year. You should be able to see them in person next time you visit!
The Washington City Paper's Best of DC recognized the National Bonsai Foundation as the "Best Arts and Culture Nonprofit" for 2024, thanks to your votes! The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum also earned "Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner" for the sixth year in a row. These accolades reflect the growing recognition of bonsai as an important art form in the nation's capital.
The National Bonsai Foundation transitioned to a new Chair of the Board, welcoming Dan Angelucci to the role. Dan will help our organization build on successes and embrace new possibilities as we grow the art of bonsai.
We are excited for another great year with you in 2025!
Stay tuned for updates on all of these initiatives and more:
We will continue to partner with the U.S. National Arboretum in support of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, providing ongoing training for expert curators and staff, creating new opportunities for dedicated volunteers, and maintaining a haven of peaceful reflection for thousands of visitors.
New exhibitions will showcase the artistry and history of bonsai, penjing, and viewing stones. Each display will offer visitors joyful inspiration and a chance to explore the stories behind these living masterpieces.
World Bonsai Day returns, promising another festive event full of connections and celebrations. In collaboration with partners like the Potomac Bonsai Association, we’re planning even more activities to bring the community closer to the art we love.
We’ll celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Yamaki Pine, a living testament to resilience, artistry, and the cultural significance of bonsai. This milestone will honor its phenomenal legacy and its extraordinary journey to the Museum.
National Geographic will publish a feature article on Goshin, sharing its story with millions. This feature will shine a spotlight on this incredible example of a bonsai forest and the dedication of its legendary creator, John Y. Naka, and subsequent caretakers.
A new National Bonsai Apprentice will join us for an immersive learning experience, continuing this nationally renowned training program. Their journey will inspire the next wave of bonsai practitioners and enthusiasts.
Renewed focus on volunteers, events, and education will strengthen our mission and impact. We’ll work together to expand access to the joy of discovery that bonsai offers to everyone.
Together, we are cultivating the arts of bonsai, penjing, and viewing stones. And we are nourishing our dynamic, creative community of passionate and compassionate people like you who love these living arts. Thank you for helping us protect and share this timeless art form.
Here's to a happy and successful 2025!