Korea National Arboretum Seeks Public Participants for Bonsai Exhibition Feb 2-13, 2026

The Korea Arboretum and Garden Institute has opened a citizen-organized Public Participation Exhibition at the National Sejong Arboretum, with selected works on view in the Bonsai Culture Hall and adjacent outdoor spaces through Feb 13, 2026. The initiative aims to bring arboretum spaces into public use and to create an exhibition platform driven by community creativity.

"Any Korean citizen can participate." The announcement lists eligible categories as gardens and plants - including wildflowers and bonsai landscapes - crafts such as woodcraft and handicrafts, and visual arts including photography, painting, and design. Exhibitions selected through the screening process will be displayed at the Bonsai Culture Hall and outdoor areas of the Sejong site. Kang Shin-gu, Director of the National Sejong Arboretum, framed the project as a gateway for public engagement: "This project is an important step in opening the National Sejong Arboretum's spaces to the public and building an exhibition platform for communication," and added, "We hope the creative ideas of citizens who love arboretums and art will come to fruition through this exhibition."

Practical details in the announcement are limited. The institute confirmed the event dates, venue, organizational oversight, categories accepted, and that a screening will determine which works are shown. The statement does not provide submission deadlines, application methods, selection criteria, contact information, or whether prizes or honoraria will be offered for the Public Participation Exhibition. Interested participants should contact the Korea Arboretum and Garden Institute or the National Sejong Arboretum for application logistics before the exhibition closes on Feb 13.

This public call sits alongside a separate, juried botanical-art calendar the arboretum supports. The Korean Society of Botanical Illustrators and Korea National Arboretum worked together on Botanical Art Worldwide 2025 Republic of Korea, themed Heirloom and Cultivated Plants of Korea. That juried program ran a formal submission window in 2024, with in-person or mailed entries accepted Sept 23–27, 2024 and notifications issued by Oct 15, 2024. The Pocheon City venue hosted an opening ceremony May 17, 2025, followed by an exhibition May 18–June 22, 2025. The Botanical Art Worldwide materials state "Three botanists and three artists will be appointed as judges," and that "Prize money will be given." Steering committee members listed include Koo, Jee-Yeon; Kim, Huk-Jin; Jung, Su Young; Yi, Seung-Hyun; and Kang, Hye-Jong. Historical jurors named for a 2017 selection included Ms. Robin A. Jess, Ms. Mieko Ishikawa, Ms. Jee-Yeon Koo, Prof. Won-Kyi Back, Dr. Kyung Choi, and Dr. Hyuk-Jin Kim; the 2017 award ceremony took place Dec 4, 2017.

For bonsai artists, garden makers, photographers, and makers, the Sejong exhibition is a direct opportunity to show work in a national collection space and to connect with visitors during the Feb 2–13 run. The immediate next step is to confirm submission and display details with the Korea Arboretum and Garden Institute so creative plans can be finalized while the exhibition continues.