Emerald Coast Bonsai was founded in April 2019 by Ernest “Jay” Schleusener, just as his journey from Nashville to Laguna Beach, Florida, began. What started as a quiet personal passion has since grown into a small but purposeful studio with roots firmly planted on the Emerald Coast.
Jay had spent more than 25 years touring the globe as a guitar technician with artists such as Kings of Leon, Paramore, Zac Brown Band, Blackberry Smoke, and Drivin N Cryin. Life on the road was fast-paced and unpredictable, but bonsai offered something entirely different—a slower rhythm, discipline, and a sense of peace.
When the pandemic arrived later that year, it forced stillness on nearly everyone. For Jay, that pause became an opportunity to cultivate a growing garden with deeper focus. What began as therapy soon evolved into a way of life. His wife, Heather Schleusener—a local artist known as Evon—brought her own creative energy and business savvy to the endeavor, shaping the vision of Emerald Coast Bonsai into a blend of horticulture, artistry, and design.
That dedication drew the attention of Steve Palmer of Indigo Road Hospitality in 2024. Recognizing the care and vision behind Jay’s work, Palmer extended an invitation to collaborate with O-Ku Sushi in Alys Beach. By April 2025, a collection of trees was prepared for the restaurant. From that collection, one tree is displayed every 48 hours on a rotating basis—a demanding schedule that ensures the living art remains healthy and vibrant.
“It’s challenging but rewarding,” Jay says. “The trees bring balance and calm into the restaurant. They’re not just decoration—they create a dialogue between nature and hospitality.”
Emerald Coast Bonsai now looks forward to expanding this vision further, with projects that bring curated bonsai displays into both residential and commercial spaces. Each concept is approached with the same care: timeless, refined, and rooted in tradition. The next project is already on the horizon—Shokudo, a traditional Japanese tavern in Charleston, South Carolina, opening this October. At Shokudo, Emerald Coast Bonsai will showcase its wabi-sabi design influence alongside emerging Low Country bonsai talent—setting the stage for new levels of collaboration.
Despite the growing reach, the Schleuseners remain grounded in Laguna Beach. This community is more than just a home base—it’s the foundation for everything to come. “We’re grateful to call this place home,” Jay says. “Our hope is to share something meaningful with the Emerald Coast, one tree at a time.”
In a region known for its beaches and lively pace, Emerald Coast Bonsai offers something rare: a quiet reminder to slow down. Each tree is a lesson in patience and care, a living symbol of balance. And for Heather, Jay, and Emerald Coast Bonsai, that balance is exactly what makes this corner of Florida the perfect place to grow. For more information, email emeraldcoastbonsai@icloud.com.
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