BCI Awards
For over thirty years, BCI has recognized outstanding achievers and contributors to the world of bonsai and stone appreciation. Annual worldwide awards given to individuals by Bonsai Clubs International include the Artist, Writer and Photographer Award, and the Distinguished Service Award. In 2011, BCI initiated a new level of awards, the BCI Excellence Award medal that is given by individual BCI board members. Presented primarily at local and regional meetings and exhibitions, they serve to recognize emerging talent, and excellent trees and stones.
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2015 Meritorious Service Award
This award is given to an individual or club that has contributed significantly to BCI over many years. Thomas S. Elias, President of BCI was the recipient this year in recognition of his service as president during the last three years and for his long-term contributions to the BCI Bonsai Magazine and the Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine. As president, Tom implemented a board-approved annual budget along with realistic income projections. He also worked to increase income through auctions, donations, and sales of books. A surplus of income over expenses in BCI operations in the last three years has greatly improved BCI’s financial position. Tom worked with others to improve the BCI website and make better use of social media to promote BCI. He, along with several board members have succeeded in reversing the decline in membership and is growing BCI individual and club memberships in several areas of the world, especially in Asia where the largest number of bonsai hobbyists are located. Tom was also the recipient of BCI’s Writer, Photographer and Artist Award in 2001. He has been a regular contributor since 1999 of over 25 articles plus several books reviews and news items to Bonsai Magazine and its successor Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine.
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2015 Certificates of Appreciation
Two certificates of appreciation were awarded at the 2015 BCI convention in Guangzhou. The first one was presented to Rosemarie Voelker of Gulf Breeze, Florida for her leadership in managing the social media BCI Face Book page. Rosemarie is an excellent photographer and frequently travels worldwide to bonsai events. Her many postings on the BCI Facebook page have resulted in greatly increasing the number of visitors and raising the awareness of BCI worldwide.
The second certificate of appreciation was awarded to Mr. Chen Chang of Guangzhou, China. Mr. Chang is President of the Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe Co., Ltd. and also President of the Guangzhou Penjing Association. Mr. Chang was a major supporter of the joint BCI/ASPAC convention in Guangzhou, a leader in the BCI-China program, and a major collector and artist of Chinese penjing. -
2018 BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award
The recipient of this award is bonsai enthusiast and pot collector Bradley Barlow, Australia, for his article in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine, A New View on Old Pots in the Q2, 2018 issue.
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2018 Meritorious Service Award
At the BCI Convention in Mulhouse, France, BCI President Glenis Bebb presented BCI Director Gudrun Benz the 2018 BCI Meritorious Service Award for her significant contributions to BCI over many years. Gudrun has promoted the appreciation of viewing stones through articles on the BCI website, the BCI Magazine and at many conventions, where she has awarded excellence in viewing stone and bonsai art, and has organized viewing stone exhibits.
The opportunity to learn from these artists and interact with people with shared interests. Visit different countries and participate in the conventions and tours while you learn. Combined with each convention are tours visiting spectacular sights, beautiful and historic venues, including China, Europe, Australia and the U.S. You get the opportunity to see some of the finest collections of trees and stones, public and private. Let BCI handle your bonsai travel tour.