Art in the park - West Ashley Greenway

West Ashley Greenway, Charleston, SC 

 I have been eagerly awaiting planned improvements to the West Ashley Greenway and Bikeway. I'd heard that a new site specific scuplture had been installed and made a point to walk down to see it. It is odd looking - tanks joined together but the opening invites you climb in and look up to see the colorful view. More to come I hope!

On the road - St. Louis

Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis

Honey, I'm home! Did you miss me? I took a quick trip to visit a dearly missed friend in St. Louis and had the most perfect time. I waited until the direct flights were offered and that made all the difference. We had a little break in the weather and took advantage of it with outdoor activities. We visited the botanical gardens, Forest Park, the Hill (Italian neighborhood), St. Charleston and the Laumeier Sculpture Park where I skipped around taking these shots.

I hope y'all behaved while I was away. Fasten your seat belts for a few more travel shots in upcoming posts.

On the Road - Palmetto Oak Sculpture Garden

Palmetto Oak Sculpture Garden, Blufton, SC  

I'd been to Bluffton before so this time looked for off the wall things to see and do and found this sculpture garden. The artist Steven Kishel wasn't home and it appeared to be at his private property so we made a quick phone call when we pulled up and he graciously gave us permission to explore on our own. What a colorful treat!

North Charleston Riverfront Park Sculpture Exhibition

Outdoor sculptures, North Charleston Riverfront Park, North Charleston, SC   

I love wandering the old Navy base area in North Charleston and catching up on the latest sculptures added to the exhibition area at the Riverfront Park. We don't have too much modern sculpture in Charleston and this is a treat. I met a few friends this morning for fish and chips at the CODfather on Reynolds Ave. and then enjoyed the park. 

More details on the artists and their award winning work here. You too can submit a piece of art and win prizes! 

Sculptors from across the nation are welcome to submit an application for participation in the National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition. Up to 14 sculptures are juried into the exhibit and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $19,750. The deadline to apply for the 2017/18 exhibition has passed (February 25, 2017). Call the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843-740-5854 for more information, or to be added to the application mailing list for 2018/19.

This one is actually the performance stage

On the road - Cuba; farmhouse lunch

Pottery fun on the farm, Cuba

We detoured for a farmhouse lunch in Matanzas while in Cuba. The food was organic, delicious and a happy surprise. As I understand it the farmer married a ceramicist so the barn included a ceramic workshop and pottery. It was called a Coincidencia Farm although I haven't discovered exactly what that means. After lunch I wandered through the farm land and discovered these statues. Someone was having some fun!
I found a thorough write up by another traveler who spent more time on the farm here. 

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens, SC  

I often feature sculpture pieces so walking through Brookgreen Gardens sculpture garden is an exhilarating afternoon for me!  Brookgreen is just under two hours up the coast from Charleston and Pawley's Island Hammock Shops a perfect lunch spot before hitting the garden. The entry fee is good for a week which would be perfect if you were staying in the area since I never get to see the entire place.

Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve, located just south of Murrells Inlet, in South Carolina. The 9,100-acre (37 km²) property includes several themed gardens with American figurative sculptures placed in them, the Lowcountry Zoo, and trails through several ecosystems in nature reserves on the property. It was founded by Archer Milton Huntington, stepson of railroad magnate Collis Potter Huntington, and his wife Anna Hyatt Huntington to feature sculptures by Anna and her sister Harriet Hyatt along with other American sculptors. Brookgreen Gardens was opened in 1932, and is built on four former rice plantations, taking its name from the former Brookgreen Plantation.^[3]

Sculpture Garden - George St.

George St., Charleston, S.C.

Sometimes when I am traveling and delighting in huge art installations in other cities I get cranky about how little we have here in Charleston. As much as I appreciate the historic preservation it is a sad loss not to have more of the glorious creative and modern sculptures that cities like Chicago, St. Louis and New York city have.

Every time I stop by Caviar & Bananas I detour through the little garden across the street to see what the College of Charleston students have been up to. This is the current display.

Up, up and away!

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens, Pawley's Island, S.C. 

I was without a computer for about a week recently so I have a few backlogged photos waiting to be posted. Spring is the most beautiful time to visit Brookgreen Gardens and well worth a trip up the coast. It is the first sculpture garden in the US and has an impressive collection of statues.

Brookgreen Gardens, the first public sculpture garden in America, has in its collection more than 1,400 works by over 350 sculptors. Exhibited within the gardens is the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the country, by sculptors who worked from the early nineteenth century to the present. Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historical Landmark, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Brookgreen offers workshops in sculpture by nationally known sculptors throughout the year.

          

On the road - St. Louis

St. Louis, MO

I have been places, I've seen things!

I went on a whirlwind trip to St. Louis, Missouri - flying out Friday and back on Sunday. A very dear friend of mine was celebrating the 50th Jubilee anniversary of joining her religious order and I was honored to be invited to attend. It was a grand and joyous event and I was delighted to be part of it and to meet her friends and family.

In between the ceremony, reception and family dinners I dashed out for a quick walk-about. We made our way through the end of the weekend St. Patrick's day parade where clusters of people were still hanging around the beer stations. I loved the city garden with the sculpture installations. 

 

 

Froggie went a-shopping

Copper Frogs at Freshfields Village, Johns Island, S.C.

I've seen these frog sculptures before but never so many at once. Seems the climate at Freshfields Village on Johns Island encourages breeding. Kinda fun, eh? Nice to think that someone came up with the idea to make quirky frogs and was able to turn it into a successful business.

Copper Frogs: by Charles and Zan Smith of Johns Island, SC
This Father and Son team have been making human size frogs since 1974. These wonderful, whimsical frogs will bring lots of laughter to your home, yard and life. Made of Copper, Brass and Stainless Steel, they will never rust or change in your home or garden. The frogs get the verdigres patina from a special coating to initiate the process. There is an 8 week delivery time on frogs not currently in stock. If you have your own idea for a Special frog, they will be glad to take your idea and make it just for you.

Riverfront Park - Large Sculptures

Riverfront Park large sculptures, North Charleston, S.C.

I like getting up to the North Charleston Riverfront Park behind the old Navy Base after they switch out the large sculpture displays. This isn't my very favorite year's display but some of them are very cool. Without  thinking I happened to go to the park yesterday when all the vendors were setting up for the big party in the park for July 4th. What a grand place it must be to watch fireworks over the Cooper River.

North Charleston’s Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. A component of the North Charleston Arts Festival, the Competition and Exhibition features large-scale contemporary sculptures on display throughout the year.

What a mixed up week it is! Only one more day to finish everything up at work before the weekend and a week's vacation for me. Woohoo!