New Hanover County Arboretum
6206 Oleander DriveLocation: New Hanover County Arboretum
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
RSVP: Encouraged
This summer exhibition features a curated display of bonsai created and cared for by members of the Society. Each tree reflects years of careful cultivation—through pruning, wiring, and patient attention—guided toward forms that suggest age, endurance, and landscape in miniature.
Bonsai artists work with living trees to express the character found in nature. Windswept coastlines, lowland forests, and weathered silhouettes are all echoed in these small-scale compositions, where time and environment are suggested through structure, movement, and detail.
In the Cape Fear region, our own landscapes offer constant inspiration. The ancient forms of bald cypress, the coastal influence on live oaks at Fort Fisher, and the resilient growth of yaupon holly along our shorelines all reflect the same natural forces that bonsai seeks to express.
This exhibition reflects that connection between place and practice. Each tree is an interpretation—an effort to capture the quiet strength, movement, and character of trees as we encounter them in our region.
Visitors are welcome to view the trees up close, explore their forms and textures, and speak with members of the Society about the art and care of bonsai. Short guided introductions will be offered throughout the day for those new to bonsai.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch a live bonsai demonstration by Gabriele Monetti of the Triangle Bonsai Society. Gabriele won the national Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition at the American Bonsai Society Learning Seminars in 2024 and is recognized for his thoughtful approach to bonsai design and development.
During the demonstration, he will discuss design decisions, horticultural techniques, and the creative process involved in transforming raw material into bonsai.
The demonstration is included with admission and is open to all exhibition visitors.
A small number of select vendors will be present, offering bonsai and related materials for those interested in exploring further.
CFBS members who would like to display trees are encouraged to participate. Please register using the Exhibitor ticket by Wednesday, June 10, so we can plan the exhibition layout and prepare exhibit materials.
Members may register up to three trees for consideration. While space may not allow every registered tree to be displayed, additional trees may be included if space allows and they add variety to the exhibition.
Please register only once, regardless of how many trees you plan to bring. Members displaying trees should select the Exhibitor ticket when registering.
This exhibition is composed entirely of bonsai from active members of the Cape Fear Bonsai Society. Participation is a benefit of membership and reflects the time, effort, and dedication our members invest in both the art and this public event.
We invite you to slow down, spend time with these trees, and experience the artistry of bonsai shaped by the landscapes of the Cape Fear region.0
Sat, Jun 13, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Hanover County Arboretum
6206 Oleander Drive
The Cape Fear Bonsai Society, established in 2001, is a group that meets monthly to study and practice the art of Bonsai.
The club has an active program of training through workshops, guest speakers, and a sharing of Bonsai expertise. Membership is open to both the novice and the more experienced practitioner of Bonsai.
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