In this bonsai workshop with Peter Chan, 2026 Prairie State Bonsai Society guest artist, students will style and wire their own Japanese maple tree to take home.
Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is renowned for its delicate, finely lobed leaves and striking seasonal color changes. Whether displaying vibrant spring foliage, lush summer greens, or fiery autumn hues, this deciduous tree captivates bonsai enthusiasts with its elegance and adaptability.
Japanese maple trees embody the balance and refinement of traditional bonsai aesthetics. Native to Japan, China, and Korea, these trees thrive in temperate climates and require attentive care to maintain their health and beauty. Their graceful branching, smooth bark, and dramatic leaf transformations make them a favorite among bonsai practitioners, allowing for various styles, from informal upright to cascading forms.
This bonsai workshop will focus on initial styling and wiring of the Japanese maple tree. Care instructions will be included. This is an intermediate- to advanced-level workshop.
This program meets in person at The Morton Arboretum and is presented by Prairie State Bonsai Society in conjunction with the Arboretum’s Destination Asia Festival and Bonsai Show on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2.
Instructors: Peter Chan and Larry Magee
Age: 16 and older
Course number: V123
Instructors
Peter Chan, 2025 Prairie State Bonsai Society guest artist
Peter Chan is an internationally acclaimed bonsai master, educator, and the founder of Herons Bonsai, Britain’s premier bonsai nursery. Chan began practicing bonsai in the late 1960s and turned his passion into a full-time profession when he established Herons Bonsai in 1986.
Over the decades, he has introduced thousands of people to the art of bonsai through demonstrations, workshops, books, and educational media. He now has the largest following on YouTube for bonsai, with over half a million subscribers and over 75 million views.
Chan has won 21 Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and has authored several widely read bonsai books, including The Bonsai Bible and Bonsai: The Art of Growing and Keeping Miniature Trees. He has a unique teaching style which takes the mystique out of bonsai, making it accessible to enthusiasts at all levels.
Chan’s demonstrations, workshops, and online educational videos have inspired a global community of bonsai practitioners and helped bring the art of bonsai to a much wider audience.
Larry Magee
Larry Magee is a member and officer of Prairie State Bonsai Society and has been involved in bonsai for 40 years. He has studied bonsai with many of the most accomplished bonsai masters from the United States and Europe, and recently traveled to Japan to attend its largest bonsai show.
What to Know
Bonsai materials and supplies are included in the workshop cost.
Students are asked to bring in the tools they have on hand. Additional tools will be provided in class by the Prairie State Bonsai Society.
This is an intermediate- to advanced-level workshop.
Material selection is by lottery drawing.
See Education Program Policies for information about cancellations, refunds, and scholarships.
Program Schedule
Sunday, August 2, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
