From rotating exhibits and permanent art collections, to a historic home and acres of gardens, Cheekwood has been a haven for Nashvillians during the pandemic as a place to get outside, view art and find some sense of calm and beautiful normalcy.

Cheekwood, the 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate, was originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929. Today, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate, and since being converted into a museum of art and botanical garden in 1960, has presented world-class art exhibitions, spectacular gardens and sense of history and place to Nashville.

“The historic landscape at Cheekwood provides, not only through its natural beauty, but there’s that juxtaposition involved when you start introducing modern art into composition, including that historic landscape, that makes a lovely venue for most anything,” says Peter Grimaldi, vice president of gardens and horticulture. “That’s intellectually interesting, which is part of the success.”

Cheekwood continues to bring art into nature in a way that inspires and takes both art and nature and casts them in a different light, like the Chihuly glass exhibit that has been so popular in the past. And with the pandemic pushing more and more people to enjoy the outdoors, Cheekwood has continued to be a place to safely see some beautiful art.

“We’ve been happy to provide our members and guests with an opportunity to get outside and safely explore nature, and have enough space to enjoy themselves again in a safe environment,” says Grimaldi.

Sean Kenney’s Nature Pop! Made with LEGO bricks is on display through September 5. The Art Bark exhibit by local artist Herb Williams is on display until August 29. The stonework sculpture of William Edmondson is on display through October 31. Contact Cheekwood to make reservations.

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