Welcome
The Bonsai Learning Center is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and is a full service bonsai nursery and teaching center. It is an excellent place to learn more about bonsai and to share with others the joys and experiences which come with the practice of this ancient and exciting art form. The links at the top and bottom of this page and throughout our web site will help you learn more about this fascinating art. Thanks for stopping by. We hope you enjoy your visit
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
May 18 - 19 - 20
Bonsai Artists Duncan & Geanangel Are Headliners At Summer Picnic & Open House
Our Summertime Picnic and Open House is a yearly event at the Bonsai Learning Center. It's a three day party and our way of saying THANK YOU to all our students, customers and friends who support us during the year. It's a great way to get to know other members of the Carolina bonsai community... See the BLC's garden looking its best... Get a look at a special exhibition of bonsai from around the region... See and work with some of the best bonsai talents in the country. PLUS you'll get some great deals on bonsai materials and merchandise. Everything is 25% OFF for the whole weekend. Stop by for some great deals... great fun and great bonsai.
Would you like to see a printer friendly version of this years Open House Schedule of Events? ... CLICK HERE
Would you like to see a slide show of a past Open House? For the 2008 Open House... CLICK HERE. For the 2011 Open House... CLICK HERE
FRIDAY......
Things will kick off at 9 a.m. on Friday morning when folks begin arriving for an all day workshop with our visiting artists, Ken Duncan and John Geanangel. As of April 30 there was one spot remaining in this all day workshop on Japanese Black Pine. Call us to reserve a spot. But even if you are not participating in the workshop it doesn't mean you can't stop by and just say Hello. Our special exhibition of bonsai from around the region will open officially at Noon and the 25% discount sale is in force all weekend long.
SATURDAY......
This is the biggest day of the weekend. Doors open at 9 a.m. and the day's activities will begin with a demonstration at 10:30 a.m. on the BASICS of BONSAI by Brad Russell. If you are looking to learn more about bonsai come let Brad show you how easily and inexpensively you can get started. This demonstration is a FREE event and is open to the public. It's a great way to find out more about this interesting pastime.
The main feature of the day, however, will be a demonstration by our special guest artists Ken Duncan and John Geanangel from Columbia, SC. This demo is also FREE and open to the public and will begin at 1:30 p.m. Those of you who have seen Ken and John do their thing at the Carolina Bonsai Expo in Asheville, know what talented and entertaining instructors they are. It's an event you won't want to miss. In addition to the free demos, the BLC's display of regional bonsai will open at 9 a.m. and we will begin serving that picnic lunch we promised you at 11 a.m. Hot dogs on the grill along with all the fixings including sauerkraut, chili and mustard are in the works as well as a great gushing of peach tea and lemonade and our traditional chocolate cake.
SUNDAY....
It may be a day of rest for some, but not at the BLC. The doors open at 9 a.m. and the third demonstration of the weekend will be presented by BLC resident artist, Randy Clark, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Randy has prepared a special program entitled "Taking Care Of The Details - How to make you bonsai into an award winner." As usual, the hot dogs will start coming off the grill at about 11 a.m.
FEEL LIKE GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY?
We will also be conducting a workshop on how to make your own organic fertilizer cakes at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The cost of this seminar if $20 per participant and will probably net you enough hand made fertilizer cakes to last you the rest of the season. Call us or drop us an e mail to reserve your spot. Of course our 25% Off sale will still be in progress through 5 p.m. Sunday and you can also stop by the exhibit of regional bonsai and see who won all the ribbons.
For almost two decades the Bonsai Learning Center has served the needs of the bonsai community in the Southeastern US. That is why it is with mixed emotions we must announce that this year will be the last year for classes and workshops at the BLC.
Now that Nancy and I are officially senior citizens we have made the decision to buy ourselves a little bungalow on the sandy shores of sun drenched Florida and start enjoying our "golden years." Not that we haven't been enjoying the time we've spent with you, but let's face it.... You guys are a pretty high maintenance bunch and we have to scramble to keep you supplied with classes, plants, tools, pots and wire. For us old folks, the job gets tougher every year. Its always been our joy and pleasure to serve you and we appreciate the support and encouragement you have given us over the years, but now its time for a change.
We have picked out a new home in Florida, but must sell the Charlotte property before we can make the move. We all know what the current housing market is like. So... we put it on the market and we wait for a buyer. A day, a week, a month or a year.
Our current plan calls for the BLC to remain OPEN through the end of June. We have scheduled classes and workshops through that time and plan to conduct business as usual. If nothing has happened "real estate" wise by the end of June, we will begin scheduling classes for the remainder of the year.
Nancy and I wish we could be more specific with you about our plans for the future, but sometimes you just have to wait and see how things shake out. So take a look at our class schedule for the first half of this year and join us for a session or two. Most especially plan on joining us for Open House this year. In addition to two great guest artists (see below) we are also planning some really special deals on our bonsai stuff.
Schedule of 2012 Classes And Workshops
If this year is our last year.... then we're going to try and make it our best one as well. To that end we have two of the Southeast's most outstanding bonsai artists to be the featured speakers and workshop leaders at our Annual Open House and Summertime Picnic set for May 18, 19 & 20. In addition we have done our best to put together an outstanding selection of educational programs and workshops. You can learn more about our plans for the Open House and the details on all our educational offerings by clicking on the photo of Ken and John at right or by clicking the "classes" link at the top and bottom of this page. We hope you are as excited about the coming months as we are and that you will find the time to join usfor a class or two during this... our final season.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE 2012 CLASS SCHEDULE
April 2012, Charlotte, NC
Are You New To The Art Of Bonsai?
If you are looking to learn the basics about bonsai we recommend you try one of the beginner bonsai classes offered by the BLC throughout the year. If that's not possible then we recommend you look at our BEGINNER BONSAI STARTER KIT. It's an excellent package which has been designed with the novice in mind. We looked at a lot of kits for sale on-line and in trendy mall stores and came to the conclusion that none of them were worth much. That's when we decided to put this one together on our own. The kit sells for $78 plus shipping and has everything you'll need to get a good solid start on your bonsai adventure. We guarantee it's the best deal you'll find anywhere, at any price. Everything you need to start your first bonsai is in the kit... and that includes the tree. You can order from our online store or just call us directly at 704-392-9244 to speed things up. To find out more about what the kit includes.... Click Here.
Is Your Club Or Group Looking For A Speaker?
WE CAN PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR YOUR CLUB OR GROUP. In addition to teaching classes here at the Center, resident artist Randy Clark has traveled and lectured extensively throughout the US and in Europe. He can provide instructional programs and workshops on bonsai at your convenience and in your area. A copy of Mr. Clark's Resume is available at this site along with a schedule of fees and booking requirements for those clubs and organizations who may wish to engage his services.
Would You Like To Take A Tour Of The Bonsai Learning Center?
We've got a 360 degree panoramic photo of the garden at the Bonsai Learning Center. If you would like to see what it looks like in a very "round about" way... Just click here. The garden is always changing, from season to season and year to year. We've added a few things since this photo was taken, so drop by sometime and see what's new.
Summertime Picnic & OPEN HOUSE
Each year for the past decade, the Bonsai Learning Center has thrown a party. We call it our Summertime Picnic and Open House. It's a 3-day event that not only includes huge discounts on all our bonsai and bonsai merchandise, but also a special exhibition of our student's trees, free food and demonstrations by noted national and international bonsai artists. Past guest artists have included such notables as: Colin Lewis; Chase Rosade; Brooke Zaho; Jim Doyle (pictured); Brussel Martin; Rodney Clemmons, Dana Quattelbaum and Kathy Shaner. This year's Open House is scheduled for May 18, 19 & 20. Our special guest bonsai artists are Ken Duncan and John Geanangel from South Carolina. Put it on your schedule and plan to attend. We will have more information about the open house posted to this site as it becomes available. It's an event you won't want to miss. If you would like to get an idea of how much fun Open House weekend can be, you might want to check out a slide show we produced on our 2008 open house... Just click on this link. Or for a slide show of our 2011 open house... click this link.
Would You Like To Talk To Us?
Her name is "Isis" and she's the BLC's resident guard cat. She would be most happy to hear from you as would we. If you've got a question about bonsai in general or one of your trees in particular... we're here to help. We have tried to answer most questions in the "Learn" section of this website, but if you don't find the answer there, please don't be afraid to contact us. Bear in mind that we can answer questions, but we can't resurrect the dead. You can also register for classes and make purchases from our website directly over the phone. Our number is 704-392-9244 and our e-mail address is randybonsai@carolina.rr.com Clicking on THIS LINK will get you a map telling you how to find us.
