Bebop Bonsai goes to Baltimore
- Victoria Kurczyn
- Nov 13, 2025
- 4 min read
Our weekend trip to Baltimore for the UMBC event kicked off early Friday morning in a rented Chrysler Pacifica minivan loaded with pots, tools, a hydraulic cart, and bonsai, including two of Ian’s most delicate travelers: the dwarf Alberta spruce forest and the Spruce Slope. Transporting pieces like these is second nature to Ian, so the drive was calm and easy, with the last of the jewel-toned fall foliage still hanging on as we made our way south with our mini forest seated behind us.
250 miles later, we checked into our hotel near Arundel Mills, and just before dark found a Thai restaurant called Little Spice where we tucked in for dinner. Everything we ate was incredible, but the Hot Ginger Tea with honey is still living rent-free in my mind.
Saturday morning we arrived on the UMBC campus with plenty of time to prepare for the noon event. The campus was quiet this early on the weekend, which made it easy to get our bearings and locate the building. This artist session was made possible through the University of Maryland Arts+ Initiative, and it was satisfying to see everything coming together.
As we walked down the hallway toward the event room, a poster immediately caught my eye: Ian, featured as a visiting artist.
We reached the room well ahead of schedule and went back outside to prepare for the unload. Ian backed the van into position with his usual precision — decades of loading and unloading drums and gear as a professional jazz drummer mean he’s exceptionally good at that part. The benches lining the sidewalk near the van became temporary bonsai benches as he began unpacking, drawing the attention of everyone who passed by. UMBC Bonsai Club President, Amal and her boyfriend Ethan came out to greet us and quickly jumped in to help carry stuff inside.
As we finished bringing everything in, more members of the UMBC Bonsai Club arrived, along with a few non-student attendees. Ian, ever punctual, started right on time at 12pm.
Once the session began, the room settled immediately into the feeling of a focused classroom — a group of sharp, engaged students listening intently to a guest professor. The atmosphere was easy and interactive.
Ian walked through his North American Bonsai Design + Care presentation, explaining his approach to design decisions, long-term development, and the artistic problem-solving behind each tree he brought. He had several of his spruce works on display, including his slab-built spruce forest, which prompted thoughtful questions and close attention.
When Ian began discussing his larger compositions — especially the terrain-building and naturalistic design behind the spruce forest — the room really locked. He explained how much of his process comes from imagination, resourcefulness, and working with accessible, readily available, and inexpensive material. That idea landed immediately. Students started asking about techniques, materials, and timing, and the club decided on the spot to add a slab-building workshop to their upcoming activities.
The club brought in their ficus — a legacy tree passed down from officer to officer — and another guest brought a tree of their own. Ian walked the group through his merit-based critique process, explaining how he evaluates structure, potential, and next steps. He gave the ficus a light clean-up trim to demonstrate his approach in real time, which the students were super happy to see.
Once the presentation wrapped, the students perused the trees and pots Ian brought for sale. A few found pieces they connected with, and it was fun watching them choose their first (or next) bonsai with real excitement.
We also donated two pots for a future club raffle, along with one of our nursery stock spruces for them to develop together as a group project.
The club surprised Ian with a thank-you card, a slice of cake, and a bundle of bonsai-themed pins and a keychains. It was a thoughtful gesture and a great way to close out the event.
That evening, we met up with the UMBC Bonsai Club officers for dinner at Siroo and Juk Story in Ellicott City. Conversation moved easily from bonsai to school to family to everything in between.
After dinner, we drove over to nearby Café June for coffee. I got an iced Dirty Chai and Ian ordered a hot caramel macchiato — a desperately-needed caffeine boost. We grabbed our drinks, dashed back to the van, and headed to the hotel for a chill final evening in Baltimore. It was the perfect end to a gorgeous fall day.
The UMBC Bonsai Club brought an energy and level of engagement that made the day especially enjoyable. Their questions, enthusiasm, and openness to new approaches made this a fantastic visit and a great example of what these artist sessions can offer.
Ian books visiting artist sessions, talks, demonstrations, and program collaborations throughout the year. For details or scheduling, email bebopbonsai@gmail.com or visit bebopbonsai.com.
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