Asheville – The ancient art of bonsai originated in China over a thousand years ago as a horticultural art form. The Blue Spiral 1 Gallery and the North Carolina Arboretum will be providing a rare opportunity to see an exceptional bonsai exhibition of this art form here in Asheville from June 2–11: Bonsai as Fine Art. On Friday, June 2, from 5 to 8 pm, the gallery will be holding an opening reception for the general public and invited guests.
Many other special events throughout these ten days are being held in both locations. There will be bonsai demonstrations by the internationally recognized bonsai artist, Bjorn Bjorholm, in both locations, educational videos, and even a live and silent auction of bonsai trees on Saturday, June 10th, from 3–5 at the North Carolina Arboretum. Bjorn, a bonsai professional and instructor, will present two styling demonstrations in Asheville—one on Saturday, June 3, 2 pm at the Blue Spiral 1 Gallery and the other on Saturday, June 10, 11 am at the North Carolina Arboretum. To find more information, visit the website at: … https://bluespiral1.com/exhibit/383-bonsai-as-fine-art. Daniel Coffey, a professional bonsai artist participating in the Blue Spiral exhibition who is a resident in Asheville, will hold an open house featuring original bonsai compositions and bonsai for sale at his River Arts studio, 191 Lyman St., # 281, on Saturday, June 3rd, 11am-6pm, and Sunday, June 4th, 12pm-4pm.
Perhaps some readers of this are not familiar with the term “bonsai.” This is a rewarding horticultural activity in which ordinary trees and other plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines, and other plants are all kept miniaturized and arranged for display in a special container. These displays are often surprising and awe-inspiring.
Perhaps some of you have seen the North Carolina Arboretum’s large bonsai garden with over 100 displays? Their specimens have been carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent—to be seen drawn carefully into this ancient Oriental art form. The results are extraordinary. Of particular importance is the inclusion of trees native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of western North Carolina.
The masterpieces to be exhibited at the Blue Spiral Gallery have been loaned to them by the North Carolina Arboretum, noted professional bonsai artists, and members of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society. The show will include 20 works. They will be presented on welcoming pedestals in the Main Level Gallery of Blue Spiral 1, located at 38 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, and will be surrounded by museum-quality 2D artworks by the gallery’s represented artists. The accompanying exhibition, “Beyond the Horizon,” includes work by the following artists: Scott Upton (tranquil mixed media paintings), Vicki Essig (hand-woven silk), Ed Nash (abstract paintings), Deborah Squier (landscape paintings), Amy Putansu (woven fiber), Jean Gumpper (reduction woodcuts), and Bobbi Allen (monotype prints).
The Blue Ridge Bonsai Society with Chris Pazoles as President supports and promotes the art of bonsai in the region around Asheville, NC. They were the organizers of this extraordinary ten-day exhibition. The members meet together monthly at various locations to provide companionship, education, and workshops from beginner to advanced levels. More information on their activities can be found at www.blueridgebonsaisociety.com.
Arthur Joura of the North Carolina Arboretum
Arthur Joura has been the Bonsai Curator at the North Carolina Arboretum since the inception of the bonsai program in 1992.
The words innovative and pioneering always come up when describing Arthur Joura. He has spent the whole of his 30-year career at the North Carolina Arboretum shaping a highly original collection that is devoted to sharing “the simple truth about bonsai,” a perfect melding of art and horticulture in miniature, with an eye toward teaching much larger lessons about the complex beauty and biological diversity of trees that are native to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
With Joura leading the design team, the Arboretum established the Bonsai Exhibition Garden in 2005. Now a signature feature, the garden comprises planted terraces with year-round interest and benches displaying bonsai from May through November. He maintains the garden and collection with a horticulture assistant and trusted volunteers, and he manages a large hoop house of bonsai on display and in training. The collection now numbers more than 150 trees, noted for their artistry, quality, and diversity, with more in production. Joura also created the annual Carolina Bonsai Expo, which had an unparalleled 24-year run. He created a unique American naturalistic style of bonsai. Through these efforts, he has made Asheville an international bonsai destination.
As so poetically put by Felix Laughlin, Board Member of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society: “The strong aesthetic appeal of the best bonsai can enthrall one’s emotions and transport the imagination to a primordial forest of ancient times.” “The magical power of a bonsai lies in its ability to reconnect our consciousness to the beauty and majesty of our natural world.”