Brookgreen Gardens,Murrells Inlet, SC

Brookgreen Gardens
Murrells Inlet, SC

Brookgreen Sculpture Gardens, one of the country's leading cultural and educational institutions, is located just south of Myrtle Beach, SC, in Murrells Inlet. Within it's more than 9,000 acres are the Lowcountry History and Wildlife Preserve, the Huntington Sculpture Garden and the Center for American Sculpture. Brookgreen Gardens is one of the few institutions in the United States to earn accreditation from the American Association of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as being designated a National Historic Landmark and being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The collection now contains over 1200 works, over 50 acres of landscaping. Brookgreen Gardens Official Website.

Please click any photo to enlarge, Your back button back will return you to this page.

Above: 1.) 139th Psalm "If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." 2.) Annie's Garden 3.) Diana of the Chase - in the Diana pool. Anna Hyatt Huntington. 4.) Diana - Paul Howard Manship 1885 - 1966. Manship's use of repetitive patterns and enameled eyes helped place his work in the forefront of American sculpture. Diana and her companion depict the myth of the unfortunate hunter who surprised the goddess as she bathed in the woods. Enraged, Diana turned him into a stage and he was killed by his two hound. 5.) Can Can by Jane DeDecker (born 1961.) The dancers represent a cancer victim with 4 friends helping her through the process of dying. An allegory of the human spirit's triumph over death. This clay sculpture received the 1999 National Sculpture Society's Silver Medal. 6. Day Lily.

1.) The Athlete (1915) by Rudolph Evans 1887-1960 represents the harmonious beauty of fine physique. The model was a javelin thrower and champion middleweight wrestler. Evans is best known for his Thomas Jefferson, inside the Jeffferson Memorial, Washington D.C. 2.) Dionysus Gilt Bronze, 1936 by Edward Francis McCartan. The life-size figure displays McCartan's elegant use of line, giving balance and harmony to the overall composition. 3.) Don Quixote- Aluminium 1947 by Anna Hyatt Huntington. 4.) Sancho Panza, Aluminium, 1971 by Carl Jennowein, commissioned by Huntington as Don Quixote's companion. 5 and 6: At the Entrance to Brookgreen.

Above: 1 and 2. Lead garden figures were part of a series of castings known as "The childhood of the Gods" designed by Wheeler Williams in 1940 and made available to the public in 1942 through such patrons as Anna Hyatt Huntington. 3.) Wind on Water by McDurrett Miller 4.) Grandmother, from a series by Richard Blake, created to celebrate the beauty inherent in the women of Africa, South America, Mexico and Central America. 5.) Raphell by Bruno Lucchesi (b. 1926) Bronze. The fountain sculpture was created after the untimely death of a younf volunteer for a psychiatric hospital on Queens NY. She is depicted as receiving colance of cool watr from a spring, as she provided to the hospital patients, Commissioned by her parents.

Mother and Baby Bear! Children's Sculpture Garden

Please Duck! Children's Sculpture Garden

Above: 1. to 4. The Children's Peace Garden: Please Duck! Flute Boy, Frog Baby, Mother and Baby Bear. and children's entrance to the Peace Garden.

1. - 4. The Lowcountry Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. All native animals in the zoo were either bred or raised in captivity.
Many were obtained after sustaining a major injury.

1 and 2.) Hibiscus and Water Lily. 3. Fountain of the Muses. 4.) Nymph and Fawn won the competition for the Darlington Memorial Fountain in the Court House Square, Washington, D.C. It was acquired by Brookgreen Gardens in 1940. By Carl Jennewein in Bronze, created 1922. 5. famous entrance to Brookgreen Gardens

1.) - 4.) Oak Allee. It's impossible not to point your camera at Oak Allee too often. The ancient moss-covered oaks are breath-taking.

1.) When commissioned to create a sculpture that symbolized the readers of a country newspaper in rural Michigan, Derek Wernher decided that a farmer sitting on a park bench would be the perfect choice. The title of the sculpture is the pen name of the newspaper's editor, Len Ganeway. Bronze 1980 2.) Orpheus and Eurydice by Nathaniel Choate. Bronze, 1952. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is a tragedy. After Eurydice's untimely death, Orpheus went to the underground to persuade Pluto to return her to him. Pluto granted the request, but warned Orpheus not to look at her until they both were in the world above - a warning he did not heed. The sculptor has captured the moment the lovers parted forever. 3.) Jaguar, 1907. Anne Hyatt Huntington. 4.) Reaching, EvAngelos William Frudakis. Bronze, 1996 5.) Lovely waterfall hydrangea.

1. and 2.) Sundial and Boy with Ram by Brenda Putnam. Putnam (1890 - 1975) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She created a series of fountains and sundials to establish her career. The animals and cheerful cherubs never fail to please and amuse. 3.) Red gladiolus 4.) Flower garden 5. ) Man Carving his own Destiny Albin Polasek 1879 - 1965 .The sculpture of Indiana Limestone was created when Polasek was a student at the PA Academy of Fine Arts.

1.) The gate is an invitation to the garden. 2.) Pegasus, the largest sculpture at Brookgreens, took 9 years to complete. A stone carver, under the supervision of the sculptor carved the sculpture in Mt. Airy Granite. Pegasus, the winged horse of mythology, Laura Gardin Fraser 1889-1966 3.) Pink Hibiscus 4.) Pledge of Allegiance, by Glenna Goodacre who is best known for having designed the Sacagawea dollar that entered circulation in the United States in 2000. She also designed the Vietnam Women's Memorial located in Washington, D.C. 5.) Young Diana by Anna Hyatt Huntington in Bronze - 1924

1.) The Saint James Triad sculpture is a subject in the book "Voices in Bronze." Richard McDermott Miller 1996-1997. 2.) Nature Dance - Alexander Stirling. Limestone. 3.) The Visionaries. Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband are surrounded by objects of personal interest. By Anna Hyatt Huntington 4.) Call of the Sea. Bronze. By Harriet Frishmuth. Frishmuth made a name for herself through youth scuplture by producing a series of lithe female forms. Call of the Sea was posed by a dance student and is an example of Frishmuth's exuberant style. 5.) Young America

The Brown Sculpture Court, located in the center of the Huntington Sculpture Garden, contains a permanent exhibition of smaller works and many white marble pieces. This display surrounds an elegant reflecting pool and a cascading water feature. 1.) Wild Boars by Anna Hyatt Huntington 1935. Aluminum 2.) through 5.) Inside Brown Sculpture Court

Brookgreen Gardens Nights of a Thousand Candless

Brookgreen Gardens Nights of a Thousand Candles

"Nights of a Thousand Candles" is an enchanting annual event that has become a favorite in the Myrtle Beach area. 35,000 candles, plus lights and decorations adorn the moss-covered oaks and pathways of Brookgreen Gardens. Crews begin preparation for the event in October by stringing lights which will stay up until the end of January. Christmas carols, actors, entertainment and Southern food specialities are offered throughout the Gardens.

Thank you for viewing my pictures of Brookgreen Sculpture Garden, Cool Summer Evening concerts, and Brookgreen "Nights of a Thousand Candles." If you missed seeing your favorite sculpture here, please let me know what it is, and I'll try to add it in on my next visit. Since Wally and I have yearly passes, we visit Brookgreen Gardens often. If you have never been to Brookgreen, I hope these photos will serve as your incentive to visit.

Below: 2. A penchant for astrological and mythological symbolism comes across clearly in Manship's work. The sundial symbolizes the cycle of life encompassed by the cycle of eternity. It is patterned after an armillary sphere, an ancient astronomical devise composed of rings, representing the great circles of the heavens. On the rings and base are depicted the elements, seasons, hours of day and signs of the zodiac. 3. Bell near the old kitchen. 4. Brown Sculpture Center 5. Fountain of the Muses by Carl Milles in Bronze. The four males on the side of the pool represent branches of the fine arts. In the words of the sculptor, "Each artist carries his symbol with him. The Poet - the blue bird; the Architect his new formed column; the Musician; his old interesting instrument; the Painter (here represented by Eugene Delicroix) his flowers."

Below: Brookgreen celebrates "Cool Summer Evenings" each year with a series of musical concerts (free with admission price.)Wine and soft drinks can be purchased on site. 1. Our group of friends, enjoying the concert series. 2. Blue Plantation Bluegrass 3. Beautiful sunset, 4. Jazz Trio 5. Spectators enjoying the music the moss-covered oaks.

Below: 1. My sister-in-law, Paula, with The Farmer 2. and 3. Lowcountry Zoo. 4 Archway 5) In his will, Richard McDermott Miller 1996-1997 (see St. James Triad in a photo below) left his entire collection to Brookgreen Gardens. The collection is housed in the Offner Sculpture Center, along with works of others. The heads are Miller's self portraits.

NEW! Open between April 1 - October 31
Whispering Wings Butterfly Experience (pictures below)
This seasonal exhibit features a lush garden filled with tropical plants where hundreds of butterflies soar through the air. Monarch, Zebra Longwing, Polydamas Swallowtails, Pipevine Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, Julias, Buckeyes, Queen Painted Lady, and American Lady are just a few of the species that call Whispering Wings home.

Blue Plantation Cool Summer Evenings Brookgreen

group of friends at Brookgreen's Cool Summer Evening

Below: 1. and 2. The Turtle Train - Bronze by W. Stanley Proctor b. 1939. Gift of Colin S. phials in honor of Deidre Phipps. Native Floridian W. Stanley Proctor has become adapt at depicting people and their unique traits, characteristics, and personalities, The state of Florida commemorated him and his contributions to the arts when he was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2006. 3. Pomona by Joseph Emile Renier (1887-1966) Tennessee marble, 1929. After studying at the Art Students League, Joseph Renier worked in the studios of A.A. Weinman and Attilio Piccirilli. In 1915, he was awarded the Prix de Rome to study at the American Academy. This sculpture was designed in 1929, and carved in marble in the spring of 1937. 4. Raphel by Bruno Lucchesi (b. 1926) Bronze 1982. Gift of Raphel Sims, Lakowitz Memorial Foundation. This fountain sculpture was created after the untimely death of an inspirational young volunteer for a psychiatric hospital in Queens, New York. Commissioned by the subject's parents, the sculpture portrays her radiant spirit rather than her literal portrait. Lucchesi depicted her receiving the solace of cool water from a spring, as she provided solace to the hospital patients. 5. Moss-covered oaks, peaceful scene near walkways. 6. Field of Blue. Courtesy of the sculptor, George Lundeen (B. 1948) Bronze. Born in Hooldrege, Nebraska, George Lundeen received a MFA degree from the University of Illinois where he studied under the sculptor, Frank Gallo. A Fulbright-Hayes scholar, he achieved the status of full Academician of the National Sculpture Society.

Moss covered trees at Brookgreen Gardens

Field of Blue. Courtesy of the sculptor, George Lundeen

Brown Sculpture Center Brookgreen Gardens

Joy of Motherhood - Willard Newman Hirsh

United We Stand (Flag raising on Iwo Jima)

Below:1. Phryne Before the Judges - by Albert Walter Wein (1915 - 1991) Limestone, 1948. Massive in size and presence in the landscape, this sculpture is an example of the sculptor's early work, which emphasized volume and simplification of detail. In the myth of Phryne, the Greek courtesan of legendary beauty secured an acquittal from her judges by revealing her body. This work was created when Wein Studied at the American Academy in Rome. It was subsequently enlarged for Brookgreen Gardens. 2. The Guardian, Sahl Swarz (b, 1912) Bronze, 1937. One of Dorothea Denslow's students at the Clay Club in New York City was Sahl Swarz. He later became associate director and was part of its evolution into the Sculpture Center. His sculptures were commissioned for government art projects in post offices and courthouses throughout the 1930s 3. Brown Sculpture Court 4. Joy of Motherhood - Willard Newman Hirsh (1905-1982) Bronze - Gift of Mrs. Willard Hirsch. Infusing many of Hirsch's works in the spirit of the joy of life. The physical and spiritual bond between mother and child was a favorite theme. A native of Charleston, SC, Hirsch not only promoted sculpture through his own works, but also as an instructor, provided opportunities for children and young adults to learn the creative process. 5. United We Stand (Flag raising on Iwo Jima) Felix de Weldon (1907-2003) Bronze, 2001, a 13 inch study. Courtesy of the sculptor's estate. In response to the events of September 11, 2001, Felix de Weldon authorized a special edition of his sculpture, The Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, often referred to as the Marine Corps War Memorial. In de Weldon's words: "This sculpture stains as the American symbol of unity of action, the will to sacrifice, and America's relentless determination to defend freedom."

Children's entrance to Peace Garden and sculptures