Visiting Bonsai Artist
Sunday, September 20th, 2026
Bryan Six joins the Columbus Bonsai Society as the second featured artist in our Visiting Bonsai Artist Series, made possible through support from the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
This full-day program will explore the art, horticulture, styling, and long-term development of juniper bonsai through a hands-on morning workshop and an interactive afternoon demonstration.
The program is designed for everyone—from people seeing bonsai for the first time to experienced practitioners.
Morning Workshop
Bring Your Own Tree (BYOT) Workshop
10:00am - 1:00pm
Discussion on commonly used juniper species
Chinese Juniper
Shimpaku
Common Juniper
Rocky Mountain Juniper
And More
Seasonal care and maintenance
Soil, watering, feeding, pests, and tree health
Introductory Discussion
Evaluating material before styling
Branch selection and pruning
Wiring and branch placement
Styling and development techniques
Long-term design and refinement
Answering questions
Individual Guidance
Group discussion
Workshop Participation
CBS Members: $5
Non-members: $10
Registration Required for Hands-On Participation
Members of the public who do not wish to work on a tree are welcome to attend, observe, ask questions, and learn free of charge. No registration is required simply to observe the workshop.
Workshop Participation
Bring your own juniper and work on it with guidance from Bryan Six and experienced members of the Columbus Bonsai Society.
Bryan will begin with an introduction to juniper cultivation and development before working individually with participants and their trees. Experienced CBS members will also assist workshop attendees while Bryan circulates throughout the room.
Live Demonstration
Styling of a Juniper
2:00pm - 5:00pm
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
During the afternoon, Bryan will work on a developed juniper while explaining the artistic and horticultural decisions involved in its next stage of refinement.
Rather than simply watching the tree change, attendees will hear the reasoning behind Bryan’s decisions and learn how the work performed today can influence the tree’s development for years to come.
Audience questions and interaction are encouraged throughout the demonstration.
The juniper styled during the demonstration will not be auctioned following the program.
No registration or previous bonsai experience is required to attend the afternoon program.
Educational Overview
Evaluating material to identify strengths, weaknesses, and key features
Choosing an overall design direction based on the tree’s natural characteristics
Formal, informal, slanting, cascade, windswept, and other design considerations
Understanding primary, secondary, and tertiary branch placement and long-term development goals
Live Demonstration
Structural and detail wiring
Pruning for balance, light, and structure
Positioning primary, secondary, and tertiary branches
Foliage and pad development
Creating and refining jin and shari
Identifying and working around live veins
Establishing deadwood features appropriate to the design
Discussing refinement and future development as the styling progresses
About the Artist
Bryan’s entry into Bonsai began with a gift of a small Portulicaria Afra pre-bonsai from his wife nearly 6 years ago. From that moment on, Bryan was hooked and began immersing himself in acquiring knowledge and developing the necessary skills to develop more of these little trees. Inspired by the forests and rolling hills of Southern Ohio, with the horticultural approach of Mirai Live, Bryan furthered his skill sets by studying under regional, national and International Bonsai artists such as Robert Hoffman, Kevin Farris and Hugo Zamora Luna. Bryan’s immersion into Bonsai has quickly developed him into a highly sought after practitioner of the art form. His passion has led him to recently create Oasis Bonsai of Ohio, a bonsai nursery specializing primarily in conifers and deciduous species. His journey has also led him into collection expeditions regionally and as far as Louisiana to bring back beautiful Bald Cypress specimens that are now transitioning into Bonsai. Bryan is an award winning artist and is always eager and willing to share his knowledgeGreater Columbus Arts Council
Thanks to a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, we’re excited to be able to offer these events with the Visiting Bonsai Artist Series. With it, we are able to increase club offerings and events to benefit Greater Columbus and the central Ohio art and horticultural community.
The Visiting Bonsai Artist Series adds a level of professionalism, knowledge, and experience with the art of bonsai that is exceptionally valuable for both experienced members and beginners alike.
