2012 Schedule of Classes & Workshops
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Beginner Basics - Bonsai 101
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee:$145
This is a one day learning experience designed to equip you with a basic understanding of the art of bonsai and with the skills necessary to get you started. The price of the course includes instruction, a full-color textbook, a container and a bonsai, which you will create during the class. The morning session will consist of lecture/demonstration. After lunch students will be given trees, pots, tools, wire and soil and will create their own bonsai under the guidance of the instructor. At the end of the day you will not only go home with a bonsai which you have created on your own, but more importantly, with enough information and "hands-on" experience to serve as a solid foundation for learning more. It is a Saturday class which begins promptly at 10 a.m. and will continue until about 5 p.m. It is offered twice during the year.
April 28 or June 23
Technique & Design Series
Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee: $225
Work sessions will be held on Sunday. This is a Study Group environment. The group will be kept small. You will work on your trees and on ours. You must bring plant material to each session. Specific areas of study will be determined by the needs of each individual in the group. You will work hard and learn much from this intensive program. If you are serious about improving your technical and artistic abilities in bonsai, this is the class for you. This is a series of five sessions, however, only three are being offered at this time for a fee of $225 total. The two remaining sessions will be scheduled after June 30 and are not included in the fee above.
Dates are: March 25 - April 22 - June 3
Summertime Picnic & Open House
May 18 - 19 - 20
Guest Artist:
Ken Duncan & John Geanangel
If you were to list the best bonsai artists in the Carolinas on the fingers of one hand, Ken Duncan & John Geanangel from Columbia, S.C. would certainly make the list. The dynamic duo are consistent winners at the annual Carolina Bonsai Expo in Asheville as well as frequent program leaders and demonstrators for the Expo. Between them they have more than half a century of bonsai experience. We have always believed in featuring the "local" bonsai talent and this year we are able make the services of two of the finest teachers and artists the Southeastern US has to offer. Messrs. Duncan and Geanangel will conduct one demonstration only, on Saturday, May 20, beginning at 1 p.m. This demonstration is free and open to the public. In addition, they will lead a special all day workshop on Friday. Details are listed below.
Duncan & Geanangel
Japanese Black Pine Workshop
Friday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fee: $335
As of Febuary 15 there were 6 spaces left in this workshop
This is an all day workshop. If you are going to work with two of the best teachers the Carolinas has to offer then you should have outstanding material to work on. We've got it! The trees are three gallon specimens of Japanese Black Pine. All were hand picked by us specifically for this workshop. They have trunk diameters about the size of a quarter or better with excellent trunk movement and branch placement. All are "mikawa" cultivars. They will make an excellent addition to any collection. Although you will not be transplanting these pines, an unglazed imported container is included in the price. Morning and early afternoon will be spent working on the pines. The remainder of the day will be structured as an open workshop. You should feel free to bring material of your own choosing. A buffet luncheon will be provided. Registration is limited. Early registration is advised. Sorry, no observers.
Transplant Seminar
Saturday, Mar. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee: $55
This is like an open workshop, but is specifically focused on assisting you with potting and transplanting tasks. We have scheduled it early in the springtime just as plants are pushing their new growth for the season. It's an all day event and we invite you to bring as much material as you feel you can work on during the course of the day. As an added bonus our professional grade bonsai soil will be on sale this day at 20 percent off its regular price. Pack up your trees and come get your hands dirty with us.
Open Workshops
Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $65
Open workshops are BYO tree events. It's an excellent way to work out styling problems... or to just spend a pleasant afternoon with friends. You bring the plants and we will supply the technical assistance and advice. Students at all levels are welcome. These workshop is offered two times this year and may be repeated.
April 7 - June 2
Dawn Redwood Forest Planting
Saturday & Sunday, May 26 & 27
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee: $265
THIS IS A TWO DAY EVENT. You will build a forest planting (yose-ue) from the ground up using a variety of relatively young Dawn Redwoods. Saturday will be spent learning the principals behind the correct placement of trees into a forest grouping and in selecting and preparing each tree and the container. Sunday will be spent actually constructing the forest. Seven Dawn Redwoods (metasequoia) with trunk diameters varying from thumb sized to pencil will be planted into an oval, grey ceramic tray. Cost includes plants, container, soil and other supplies. Students need to bring their own tools and wire. This IS NOT a class for beginners. Only students with a year or more of experience should apply
Korean Hornbeam Shohin Bonsai
Saturday, May 5, Noon to 4 p.m. Fee: $125
Shohin is the Japanese term for bonsai which are 3 to 6 inches in height. For those with limited growing space, this is often an appealing size of bonsai, because large numbers can be kept in a small space. Because of their small size, certain styling and maintenance techniques are used which are different from regular bonsai cultivation. The Korean Hornbeams (carpinus coriana) we have selected specifically for this class are well established specimens. TWO trees are included in the cost of this class. One will be in a finished, glazed bonsai container and the other in a nursery container. Korean hornbeams are excellent subjects for bonsai with leaves about one third the size of our American hornbeam. The have spectacularly brilliant fall color.
Literati/Bunjin Bonsai Design
Saturday, April 21, Noon to 4 p.m. Fee: $125
The slender trunks and delicate flowing lines of a Literati bonsai often suggest the graceful movement of a ballet dancer. It is a sophisticated approach to the art which can be seen in many old Chinese and Japanese scroll paintings. We were fortunate to obtain some interesting shimpaku junipers which have been pre-trained for styling as literati. Plant material and an imported ceramic container suitable for bunjin style bonsai is included in the cost.
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How To Register For A Class
There are three ways to register for a class or workshop.
1. You may call us directly and we will take your registration over the phone.
Our number is 704-392-9244. Class deposits may be charged to a Visa or Mastercard account.
2. You may drop us an e-mail letting us know which classes you wish to register for. Include your telephone number. We will call you back to obtain your credit card number. DO NOT send credit card information in an e-mail please. Our e-mail address is: randybonsai@carolina.rr.com
3. You may complete the printer friendly version (PDF file) or our registration form below and send it through the regular postal service. Be sure to include credit card information or a check for the deposit.
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Please Note: An advance, non-refundable deposit is required for each class you select. Balance for the class is due on the day of the class. Checks should be made payable to: Bonsai Learning Center. You may also charge fees to your VISA or MasterCard.
Also Please Note: The selection of trees for any given workshop is based on a "first registered, first choice" system. We reserve the right to cancel classes with fewer than 5 students. It is therefore advisable to register as early as possible. We check our e-mail on a daily basis. You may make a "tentative" reservation for a class by E-mail or by telephone (704-392-9244.......... however, if after seven days, payment is not received, the reservation will be dropped.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS
An advance deposit is required for each class you select. Balance is due on the day of the class. Checks should be made payable to: Bonsai Learning Center. You may also charge fees to your VISA or MasterCard. PLEASE NOTE: The selection of trees for any given workshop is based on a "first registered, first choice" system. We reserve the right to cancel classes with fewer than 5 students. It is therefore to your advantage to make your registration as early as possible. Please note our booking and cancellation policy printed printed below.
BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY: We endeavor to limit class sizes to 8 persons but some classes may contain more. We also reserve the right to cancel classes with fewer than five participants and to refund or credit your deposit. We will NOT refund deposits from participants for cancellations which are received less than two weeks prior to the scheduled class date.
You may E-mail us and give us a list of the classes you wish by clicking on the link below or you may register by regular surface mail or by telephone. Please make sure we have your correct name, mailing address and telephone number. We would also appreciate knowing your e-mail address. Our address is: 4416 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216. Our phone number is: 704-392-9244. Checks should be made payable to: The Bonsai Learning Center. You may also charge your fees to your VISA or MasterCard. Please provide Name on card; card number, expiration date and VIN number from the signature area in the back of the card. DO NOT send credit card information in an e-mail. We will call you for that data.
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