Author: Philip Bartko Jr.

I do enjoy the art installations in the gardens. To me, there is something about the juxtaposition of art and nature together that is a profound experience.

I’ve lived in Nashville since 2010, after moving here post-graduation from MTSU, and it’s really become home. Outside of work, where I coach clients through dating, I love slowing down and being present. Spending time with my family and friends is really important to me, and I’m happiest when I can be outside—walking through nature, taking in the greenery, and just enjoying a quiet moment.

Honestly, it was during lockdown when things were starting to open up. I wanted to be able to spend time with people in person and I remembered how much I always enjoyed visiting Cheekwood. I wanted a beautiful place that I could go and get out of the house, be in nature, and spend time with people so I looked into getting a Membership and realized that it would be a great investment for me.

My favorites are Spring and Christmas—I love seeing all of the spring flowers blooming. Specifically, all the varieties of flowering trees. And it’s become a tradition for me to come see the Christmas lights—I usually get a special hot chocolate and walk the paths. One of the things I most enjoy doing is going with people that haven’t been before and watching their reactions and seeing them enjoy the magic of Cheekwood lights firsthand.

I really enjoy the Japanese garden—it’s such a unique feature. I like to take time and sit on the bench and really take in the garden itself and how it emulates a larger landscape. Everything in that space feels so thoughtful and I find it to be a calming place to spend time in.

It’s hard for me to pick an absolute favorite—I have a few! What I’ve noticed about myself is that I do enjoy art installations in the garden. To me there is something about the juxtaposition of art and nature together that is a profound experience. Some of my favorites have been Steve Tobin’s Southern Roots, Bruce Munro’s Light, and Jaume Plensa’s Human Landscape.

One of the things that I love about Cheekwood is getting to spend time with my family there. Two memories that stand out to me are the Japanese Moon Viewing festival and Holi at Cheekwood. I have younger family members that I like to spend time with at Cheekwood and both of those events had several activities that were interactive where members of the community got to share parts of their culture. And also, what kid doesn’t love throwing colored powder on the grownups in their life?

For me personally, I value the way Cheekwood creates opportunities to experience and appreciate beauty—whether through its gardens, art, or thoughtfully curated events. It offers a wide range of programming that brings people together, especially families, by creating space for shared experiences and meaningful memories. On a broader level, Cheekwood also plays an important role in connecting the community. It has given me the chance to learn about the many diverse groups that make up the Nashville area and to engage with different cultures, traditions, and celebrations in a way that feels accessible and enriching.

One of my favorite family memories at Cheekwood was experiencing Thomas Dambo’s Trolls exhibit. My family coordinated a visit together, and it was so special to watch the kids’ excitement as they discovered the giant sculptures tucked throughout the gardens. I also attended the Japanese Moon Viewing Festival one year with my younger cousin, where we participated in the activities and created memories that we’ll both cherish for years to come.

I’m always enthusiastically telling people about Cheekwood—my friends even joke that I should be an official ambassador. I often share how much I enjoy walking through the gardens and attending the events, and I regularly recommend it as a great date spot for my clients. It offers a perfect balance of beautiful spaces to sit and connect, along with engaging experiences that keep the conversation flowing and the energy from fading.