ABS Learning Seminars
Welcome to the
BONSAI IN THE BLUE RIDGE
American Bonsai Society
Learning Seminars 2026
Presented by the Bonsai Learning Center
June 4-7, 2026
North Carolina Arboretum
100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806
Download the 2026 Learning Seminar Brochure!
Brochure Asheville FinalWelcome from the American Bonsai Society
ABS welcomes you to Bonsai in the Blue Ridge. Living just a few hours north of Asheville and with family across the mountains in Knoxville, I call the Blue Ridge home. I’m so proud and grateful that we’ve been able to bring the ABS Learning Seminars to this very special place. With the Appalachian culture, mountains, and eastern broadleaf forests as backdrop, we believe this will be the event of the year, and are so proud of what we’ve built with our partners, the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society. The artists, materials, talks, and venue are all outstanding and we’ve put together a program has something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or ready for a Master’s Class, you’ll find a program just for you at Bonsai in the Blue Ridge.
We wish to communicate a special thank you to the North Carolina Arboretum, which has been such a generous and supportive host. We also appreciate our sponsors who’ve given generously, allowing us to keep the Bonsai in the Blue Ridge affordable for our guests. Finally, we wish to thank our partner and host club, the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society. They have leaned into this event, and their dedication, tireless effort, and boundless enthusiasm have ensured its success.
Scott Barboza
Convention Chair, American Bonsai Society
Welcome from the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society
On behalf of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society, we welcome you to Asheville, NC, the host city of the 2026 ABS Learning Seminars. While the ABS events are typically held in larger cities, Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, renowned for its cascading waterfalls and botanically diverse forests. Your host location for this event will be the North Carolina Arboretum, acclaimed as one of America’s most stunning natural settings.
During this unique event, you will have the opportunity to learn from seven nationally renowned artists: Bjorn Bjorholm, Andrew Robson, John Geanangel, Sergio Cuan, Shannon Salyer, Brad Russell, and Kaya Mooney. Our workshops, demonstrations, and seminars will showcase outstanding materials.
On behalf of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society, we look forward to seeing you in Asheville!
Dan O’Neal
Convention Chair, Blue Ridge Bonsai Society
Dear Friends of Bonsai,
At the Bonsai Learning Center, our passion is the living art of bonsai, a practice that cultivates patience and care, strengthens our bond with nature, and builds a sense of community across all generations. We are deeply committed to advancing our shared mission with the American Bonsai Society: to educate, foster knowledge and interest in bonsai, and be the North American hub for bonsai enthusiasts.
By supporting this seminar, we aim to make excellent bonsai education accessible to everyone. From the beginner to the skilled practitioner, Bonsai in the Blue Ridge will help you build your skills, expand your knowledge, and connect you with a community of people who share your passion.
We congratulate ABS, the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society, and the North Carolina Arboretum for organizing this exceptional event. May this seminar inspire you, deepen your passion, and connect you with the wonderful fellowship of bonsai.
We look forward to seeing you in Asheville and sharing bonsai’s joy and growth.
Warm regards,
Bryan Mercer and Brad Russell
Bonsai Learning Center