This is the tree that inspired the U.S. National Bonsai Museum's logo. It's listed as a Sargent's juniper (Juniperus chinensis var sargentii), though in the bonsai world many might call this variety Shimpaku. It was donated to the Museum by Kenichi Oguchi in 1976 and has been in training since 1905

When I met Andy Bello at the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in September 2018, he had just been selected as the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum's first Curator's Apprentice. Andy was young, friendly and enthusiastic about his new position. A perfect subject for a post here on Bonsai Bark

Then memory being what it is (or isn't) the idea slipped away. Now after more than a year, a post by Andy on the U.S. National Bonsai Foundations blog has jogged that old memory. Andy's post is titled First Curator's blog: My First Six Months as a Curator's Apprentice and it's our inspiration for this post 
Continued below...

 A job with a view. Andy Bello pruning a Korean black pine  
at Elandan Gardens in Bremerton, Washington.
This was before he assumed his apprentice position
at the U.S. National Bonsai Museum

Continued from above...
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum's First Curator's Apprenticeship for 2019 is funded by generous grants to the National Bonsai Foundation from Toyota North America and The Hill Foundation

 Andy Bello with Michael Hagedorn 
on World Bonsai Day 2019
at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
Michael is highly respected bonsai artist, teacher
and author of two Bonsai books:
Post Dated, the Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk
and his upcoming Bonsai Heresy, which is expected in April

 
This powerful Trident maple also resides at the U.S. National Bonsai Museum. (you can visit the Museum online here). Or even better you can visit it up close and personal (the difference between photos and these phenomenal bonsai in real time is astounding)  

For more on Andy's story, here's your link to the National Bonsai Foundation's blog

 Speaking of Michael Hagedorn (see above) 
Here's his Post Dated
Still the best bonsai read

Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees
And...speaking of  Elandan Gardens (see above & below)
this brilliant book features Dan Robinson's bonsai  
which reside along with Dan at Elandan

 A small piece of Elandan Gardens