Brookgreen Gardens

Define ‘Public’ Art with Jarod Charzewski - The past two decades of art production have provided citizens of the world with vast diversity in acceptable, traditional, permanent, and classical public art. These new perimeters have challenged all aspects, from materials and fabrication to installation and conceptualization. Join artist and College of Charleston Professor Jarod Charzewski in the Ron Daise Auditorium for an informative discussion that will contain images of contemporary examples as well as his own accomplishments.

Mar 5, 10:30am - 11:30am

Brookgreen Gardens

The National Sculpture Society’s 90th Annual Awards Exhibition, the foremost annual exhibition of American figurative sculpture, will return to Brookgreen Gardens once again from August 5th to October 22nd, 2023, in the Rosen Galleries. Brookgreen, home to the largest and most significant collection of American figurative sculpture in the world, will be the premiere location of this exceptional annual exhibition. The National Sculpture Society (NSS) is the country’s first organization of professional sculptors and handpicks pieces for this exhibition, presenting the finest in contemporary figurative sculpture by American masters alongside rising stars. “We are thrilled to premiere this annual exhibition on its 90th anniversary as we continue our mission to collect and display the finest American sculpture and continue our longstanding relationship with the NSS since our founders, the Huntingtons, were members and supporters of the organization,” said Page Kiniry, President and CEO of Brookgreen. “We hope visitors will take this opportunity to enjoy extraordinary works from some of the country’s best contemporary sculptors displayed in this year’s exhibition.” The 41 works in this annual awards exhibition are selected by a jury from hundreds of entries. The exhibition includes bronze, clay, iron, and mixed media sculptures of wildlife, natural elements, abstract figures, and more. Seventeen awards will be presented by the NSS, along with the People’s Choice Award determined by votes from visitors to Brookgreen, during the awards ceremony at the exhibition’s conclusion on Oct. 21. For more information about Brookgreen Gardens, visit www.brookgreen.org.

Sep 20 - Oct 22

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens announced the return of the annual fall tribute concert series with five nights of music made famous by Queen, from September 21st through the 25th, 2022.

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens will display Rodin: Contemplation and Dreams – Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections from January 29th through April 23rd, 2023, in Brookgreen’s Rosen Galleries. Featuring 45 works by French sculptor Auguste Rodin, celebrated as the greatest sculptor of the 19th century, this exhibition brings world renowned sculptures to America’s first sculpture garden. “We are thrilled to display works from such a celebrated and talented sculptor,” said Page Kiniry, president of Brookgreen Gardens. “Bringing the works of one of art history’s most influential great masters to South Carolina’s coast furthers our mission to display the finest sculptures and will offer visitors an exclusive chance to experience Rodin’s bronzes in an esteemed sculpture garden.” Rodin: Contemplation and Dreams – Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections is made up of 45 works from the prestigious Cantor Collections, including nine life-size statues, portraits, full figures, torsos, fragments, and reliefs. Some of Rodin’s best-known sculptures are represented such as Balzac, figures from The Burghers of Calais, and maquettes from The Gates of Hell. The title of this exhibition comes from Rodin himself, who said that artwork, “…opens before us an enchanted land of contemplation and dreams.” Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was a pivotal figure and is to this day celebrated as the greatest sculptor of the 19th century. His work influenced many sculptors in Europe and America and his students carried forward his beliefs in sculpture into the 20th century. Most well-known for his sculpture The Thinker, housed in the Rodin Museum in Paris, Rodin created many iconic works that altered the way traditional sculpture was perceived and set the stage for many modern sculptors to come. This exhibition has been organized and made possible by the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation. For more information about this exhibit, visit www.brookgreen.org.

Jan 29 - Apr 24

Brookgreen Gardens

🕯NIGHT OF A THOUSAND CANDLES: One of Charleston's most beloved holiday events is here! See Brookgreen Gardens come to life amid the soft glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights. From 4-9PM walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, hear the sounds of holiday music, and celebrate the season with family and friends! This event runs every weekend and on select dates now through January 1st. Tickets are $30-$35 for adults and $14-$17 for children, available at the link below!

Dec 3, 4pm - 9pm

Brookgreen Gardens

Tickets are now available for Brookgreen Gardens’ after-hours lighted art exhibition series, Summer Light: Art by Night, happening this summer, from May 11th to August 13th, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens today announced the return of the annual fall tribute concert series, with four nights of music by The Beatles, from September 23rd through the 26th. Recognized as the most influential band of all time, The Beatles’ music will be performed by the Here Comes the Sun Band in Brookgreen’s botanical garden.

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens today announced the return of the annual fall tribute concert series, with four nights of music by The Beatles, from September 23rd through the 26th. Recognized as the most influential band of all time, The Beatles’ music will be performed by the Here Comes the Sun Band in Brookgreen’s botanical garden.

Brookgreen Gardens

Marsha Green, a local Tai Chi instructor, will lead this in-person class through the basic, fundamental moves of Tai Chi. The event will be held in Brookgreen’s Leonard Pavilion. Price is included with garden admission!

Brookgreen Gardens

Fall Tribute Concert Series has begun with four nights of music by The Beatles, from September 23rd through the 26th. The Beatles’ music will be performed by the Here Comes the Sun Band in Brookgreen’s botanical garden. The shows will take place each night at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $30 for members, $35 for non-members, and $100 for VIP tickets. VIP includes preferred parking, a wine and cheese reception, a souvenir glass, a complimentary shuttle to the concert site, and preferred seating.

Brookgreen Gardens

Tickets are now available for Brookgreen Gardens’ after-hours lighted art exhibition, Summer Light: Art by Night, happening from June 7th through August 26th on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Eleven installations made up of thousands of bulbs will illuminate the garden offering guests an opportunity to see the National Historic Landmark in a new light. Brookgreen’s picturesque landscapes, including the Oak Allée, will come alive with lights and sounds for 24 summer nights. “We are pleased to announce the return of this exciting and captivating event,” says Page Kiniry, President and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens. “This is the perfect opportunity for guests to immerse themselves and be mesmerized by the stunning landscapes, sculptures, and gardens that Brookgreen has to offer.” Created by Brookgreen’s public exhibits production and logistics team led by Janet Coen, the same team that designs Nights of a Thousand Candles, the following light installations will be illuminated throughout the sculpture gardens: Sapphire Twilight: The swaying of over 800 recycled nylon lanterns, suspended from the eight repurposed fence sections that once inhabited the gardens, are reminiscent of the blue sky and puffy clouds of a summer evening.  Fanciful Flora: Walk below 70 beautiful floral spheres reminiscent of Middle Ages floral pomanders, hung from houses’ ceilings to lessen odors, and ward off evil spirits, rendering blessings and good luck to all who passed under them. The Four Seasons: In Oak Allée, enjoy a symphony of light and sound underscored by Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” perhaps his most famous and oft-performed work. “The Four Seasons” is a set of four violin concertos inspired by the seasonal changes the composer witnessed in Mantua, a region in northwest Italy. What’s the BUZZZZZZ?: The Children’s Garden comes alive with a celebration of bees. Warren Cline, a Brookgreen Gardens volunteer, built the honeybee topiary.  Moroccan Nights: This exhibit pays homage to the Moorish influences of this garden, with over 100 Moroccan, North African-style lanterns suspended amid the architecture, sculptures, rose bushes, and the 12 palm trees that anchor the garden. Lightning Bug Jamboree: Over 375 mason jars give the appearance of thousands of fireflies behind the Garden Wall. On warm evenings, look for actual fireflies to join the party! Rainforest Stroll: Changing colors fill the canopy of the live oaks against peaceful sounds of light rain and frog songs. Blissful Baubles: Hand-blown glass by Barb and Ed Streeter of Conway Glass is featured in over 70 reeds of light in the pools and over 100 plates and spheres filling the beds and adorning the walls. This area also includes a beautiful new stained-glass panel crafted by Brookgreen volunteer Jim Morris. Calabash Illumination: Intricately punched Calabash gourds illuminate the night with scenes representing the Gardens’ natural beauty. The 64 gourds were grown in the Children’s Garden passageway by horticulturist Gina Davis. After harvest, Brookgreen volunteers and staff dried, designed, and drilled the tiny holes to let light through. Volunteer Monica Cerkez hand-drew each intricate design. Mystic Immersion: Over 1,100 bottles hang from trees and perch on stems throughout The Visionaries Garden. Glass bottles began circulating through Africa, Egypt, and Mesopotamia in 1600 BC. The belief that spirits could live in these bottles quickly followed. The hope was that by hanging the bottles in a tree, evil spirits would find their way into the wine bottles and become stuck. Look for the rain chains near the Old Kitchen made from the bottoms of the wine bottles. Chicha Engerera (Shona) It Will Circle: Step into the “engerera” (circle) and be surround by multicolored light, made from over 1,008 bottles collected from our community of volunteers, local restaurants, and staff. Whether backlit by the sun’s radiance during the day or illuminated from above at night, the rhythm and colors will mesmerize. 16 panels connect to form an “engerera” that will “unyiko” (immerse) guests in color and light once inside.  Each night, Brookgreen Gardens’ gates will reopen at 6:00 p.m. for access to Summer Light: Art by Night. Live music will be performed nightly by various bands. Dining and beverage options will also be available each evening from Austin’s Harvest Restaurant, the Old Kitchen, and several food trucks. Event Details What: Summer Light: Art by Night When: June 7 – August 26, 2023; Wednesdays & Saturdays only; 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Where: Brookgreen Gardens, 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 Tickets: Members: $20 adults, $12 children. Non-members: $25 adults, $15 children. To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly…. For more information about the event series, visit www.brookgreen.org. For images, visit bit.ly….

Jun 7 - Aug 26

Brookgreen Gardens

TIX ON SALE: Brookgreen Gardens announced that tickets are on sale for the annual holiday light display, Nights of a Thousand Candles. Held on select nights between November 26th, 2021 and January 2nd, 2022, the event features millions of twinkling lights draped among the stunning landscapes and large sculptures, a tree lighting ceremony each evening at 6:45 pm, live music, festive libations, and much more to celebrate the holiday season.

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens will host a Garden Symposium with lectures, demonstrations, and workshops by nationally-recognized garden experts on both March 11th & 12th. Most events are free with garden admission and afford guests an opportunity to learn about the latest in gardening techniques and practices