National Bonsai Apprenticeship

The National Bonsai Apprenticeship trains a new generation of American bonsai artists to ensure the future of the art of bonsai. This renowned program offers immersive education with expert curators and caretakers, hands-on experience with America’s national bonsai and penjing collections, and daily opportunities to hone horticultural and artistic talents.

The program is sponsored by donors like you and has been previously supported by Toyota North America, the Hill Foundation, and the Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation.

The first Curator of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum was Robert Drechsler, who served in that position from the 1976 founding of the Museum until 1998.  In 2011, during the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Museum, the National Bonsai Foundation established an internship at the Museum to honor Mr. Drechsler for his many years of service. It was called the Curator’s Apprenticeship.

The application process for this current term is closed. Please sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to learn who the next Apprentice will be and to hear when applications open up again. Thank you for your interest!

Learn more about the program from this ABC News story:

Many National Bonsai Apprentices have gone on to do significant work in the world of bonsai. You can explore their bios below.

NATIONAL BONSAI APPRENTICES

angelica ramirez (2023)

Angelica Ramirez was selected as the 2023 National Bonsai Apprentice.  Originally from Florida, Angelica has been a cellist for over fifteen years and attended the University of Florida for Music Performance. She is also an accomplished archer, having won multiple championships and breaking multiple state and international records. She has earned her place on the USA Archery Team twice and was named Florida Sports Foundation's 2017 Female Athlete of the Year. Angelica is an avid painter and also holds a Helicopter Private Pilot license. These various pursuits in life have led her to the art of bonsai.

Angelica began practicing bonsai in 2019 as a way to relax from flight school. She has studied under several teachers including Feng Gu of Penjing Bonsai Garden, Peter Chan of Herons Bonsai, and David Cutchin of D&L Bonsai. She was the first bonsai intern at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where she worked under the Garden’s bonsai curator (and former National Bonsai & Penjing Museum national bonsai apprentice), Chris Baker. Angelica is the creator of Discover Potters, the global online database of bonsai potters which includes direct links to over 400 active potters in over 45 countries; and includes resources for finding and learning about bonsai pottery. Several of her accomplishments include earning second place at the Bonsai Societies of Florida’s styling competition, which earned her a scholarship to continue her bonsai studies and awarded the opportunity to be a guest artist for the 2022 48th Annual Bonsai Societies of Florida Convention. During that year, Angelica showcased her bonsai at the 2022 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and later, at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Read Angelica’s heartfelt thank you letter. Reflecting on her experience at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum this past year, she writes about how she got started in bonsai, the gratitude she feels for this opportunity, and how the role has prepared her for the next steps in her journey, both personally and professionally.

HENRY BASILE (2022)

Henry Basile was selected as the 2022 Curator's Apprentice. His previous internship at the Denver Botanic Gardens sparked his love of bonsai when he met his mentor, prominent bonsai artist and author Larry Jackel, who taught him about each facet of the Denver collection. That internship blossomed from an intriguing career move to a flourishing understanding of horticulture and artistic expression. He delved into the works of notable artists like Bjorn Bjorholm, Michael Hagedorn and Bill Valavanis, and he studied the styles and techniques described in John Naka’s texts. Though Henry was first drawn to bonsai from a scientific standpoint having graduated from Kansas State with a horticultural degree, his internship in Denver helped him root his work in purpose and pride. Henry first learned about the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum through acclaimed writer and former NBF Board Member Ann McClellan’s “Bonsai and Penjing: Ambassadors of Peace and Beauty,” available for order at the NBF bookstore. He picked Larry’s brain about the national collection and staff members involved in maintaining its prestige and vitality. When the apprenticeship opened, he knew he had to throw his hat in the ring. Learn more about Henry’s path to us and read his thank you letter.

SOPHIA OSORIO (2020)

Sophia Osorio was selected as the 2020 Curator's Apprentice. Her previous internship at the Central Park Conservancy in New York City first piqued her interest in wanting to work outside. Sophia’s passion for trees first came to light during an environmental ethics course she took during her undergraduate education at Binghamton University in New York. She learned about the philosophical side of the environment, like how society’s carbon footprint affects Earth. She first became interested in bonsai during an arbor culture certificate program she took part in at the New York Botanic Garden in the Bronx. When she isn’t learning about the Museum’s collections, Sophia keeps active with trips to the gym, hikes and long walks. She recently visited the Redwood Forest in California. Learn more about Sophia.

ANDY BELLO (2019)

An Illinois native, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation and Management from the University of Arizona in 2016. His fascination with bonsai catalyzed after he stumbled across Peter Chan’s “Bonsai: The Art of Growing and Keeping Miniature Trees” in 2016. His readings prompted him to join the Eugene Bonsai Society, a group of Oregon bonsai enthusiasts. He soon began a monthly apprenticeship at Driftwood Nursery in Bandon, Oregon where he learned basic bonsai skills and developed his passion for the trees. A desire to be closer to family on the East Coast prompted him to apply for The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum’s First Curator’s Apprenticeship. Bello was selected for one year as the 2019 The First Curator’s where he further honed his skills and techniques. He was then hired on as a temporary Agricultural Research Technician with the US National Arboretum. In spring of 2020 Bello was selected to a permanent position as the Museums Assistant Curator. He loves bonsai for many reasons, but most because of its power to connect people to the natural world and promote the preservation and conservation of the environment.

Read Andy’s First Apprentice Blog here.

david rizwan (2018)

A native of New Jersey, David Rizwan graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science degree degree in Chemical Engineering and Philosophy.  While employed as an administrator in the engineering field he was searching for a relaxing hobby when he discovered bonsai and began developing a personal collection of tropical species. He also began volunteering in the bonsai collection at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Pittsburgh where he led introductory bonsai classes and participated in all aspects of bonsai care.  In 2018 he was chosen as the First Curator’s Apprentice for the Museum.  At the conclusion of the internship he moved to San Antonio Texas to continue developing his collection of bonsai and to explore the possibility of opening a bonsai business.

tony green (2017)

The love of both art and horticulture drew Tony Green to bonsai. In an effort to elevate his amateur skills, he became a member of several local bonsai clubs and study groups in South Florida, where he was introduced to many skilled bonsai artists. Craving more insight into the craft, Tony began volunteering weekly to help maintain the prized bonsai collection at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Boca Raton, Florida. Through his work at the Morikami Museum, Tony gained a solid foundation in the art form of bonsai. Tony’s passion for understanding trees led him on a 5-month journey in 2016 hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, during which he studied the shape, growth patterns, and unique characteristics of thousands of trees. This journey only increased his passion for bonsai study. Upon his return, Tony was chosen as the 2017 First Curator’s Apprentice and gained additional  experience and knowledge to further refine his bonsai skills. Tony remains closely involved with the Lighthouse Bonsai Society in Florida and still works weekly on the trees at the Morikami Museum. He gains immense joy in sharing his love of bonsai with others.