Category: Exhibitions

3 Ways to Enjoy “Oh, The Places You’ll Play”

Step into the story this summer at Cheekwood’s Storybook Houses! The young and young at heart will all enjoy these five large-scale outdoor playhouses inspired by beloved illustrators and brought to life through a collaborative effort of talented local architecture and building firms.

Inspired by the illustrations of Dr. Seuss, this playhouse features three whimsically connected, multicolored houses complete with a slide and music-makers. Sam Wible AIA, Hastings Project Lead, explained that the playhouse was designed to embrace a child’s sense of exploration through play and movement. The playhouses create a miniature, child-sized Seussian world dominated by color, music, and exploration.”

1) Colors, colors everywhere!

In true Dr. Seuss fashion, these vibrant houses immediately grab the eye. With a saturated bright blue, pale green, and Cindy Lou pink, each house brings a different-sized world of wonder to the children inside with new instruments and color. Constructed out of an innovative new material called Cross Laminated Timber, even the wood grain is swirly and whimsical. Scramble up the rainbow rock-climbing wall to see the happy yellow painted sides of the houses and embrace the colorful wonderland

2) The sounds of music!

Located next to the Herb Garden, amidst the bubbling noise of the water fountain, come hear the shimmering twinkle of bells and laughter! In every window hangs rows of multicolored bells or stringed wind chimes while the doorways are lined with hand-squeezable horns. Ring a bell, call down to your playmate through a speaker phone, or tap to your heart’s content on the xylophone!

3) Last but not least, PLAY!

The elaborate structure encourages an inventive, creative mind to explore. Built along a radius, the multilayered houses mirror a circular pattern, designed by Hastings to promote a child’s continuous movement and energy. On the bottom level of the houses, play with the music-makers and gaze in awe at the colorful world around you. Climb the rope ladder or rock wall to get to the top level where there are even more instruments, climbing nets, and wonky windows to see the gorgeous gardens surrounding you.

Some other whimsical playhouses include “Hill Top Garden” inspired by Beatrix Potter, “Charlotte’s Barn” inspired by Garth Williams, “We Are Wild” inspired by Maurice Sendak, and “TRAINS!” inspired by Loren Long. Storybook Houses opened on May 1st and will be on view throughout our gardens until September 1st. From June 22 through September 1, visitors may also enjoy Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Book Illustrations in the Museum Galleries.

Summertime at Cheekwood, Storybook Houses, and Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children’s Book Illustrations are presented by Vanderbilt Health. The “TRAINS!” exhibit and new depot feature are made possible by Jim Crossman. Additional support for Storybook Houses has been provided by Sara and Richard Bovender, Karyn McLaughlin Frist, Kailey and JR Hand, Sharalena and Dick Miller, and an anonymous donor.

Sponsored By    

Exhibition Partners  
  

  

  

  

  

  

Special thanks to Hastings

• Sam Wible AIA
• Leigh Fitts AIA, LEED AP
• Erich Ritzhaupt AIA
• Laura Hollier AIA, LEED Green Associate
• Katie Laughinghouse
• Emilee Wilson
• Andy Cho
• Carter Group, General Contractor
• Graham Montgomery of Montgomery Structures, CLT Structural Advisor
• CLT provided by Calum Dodson of International Beams
• Paint donated by Sherwin-Williams
• Hardware donated by Will Leveret of Log and Timber Connections

Chihuly at Cheekwood Returns

Publish Date: 1/31/20

Chihuly at Cheekwood: July 18, 2020 – January 10, 2021

Following its unprecedented blockbuster success a decade ago, Cheekwood is thrilled to announce Chihuly at Cheekwood coming in the spring of 2020, coinciding with the reopening of its acclaimed Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail. The exhibition will feature multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental sculptures presented throughout the historic estate, both in its gardens and galleries.

Opening April 25, 2020, Chihuly at Cheekwood will feature artwork in both indoor and outdoor settings, including two new works which are being designed specifically for the exhibition.

2020 will mark the 10th anniversary since Chihuly’s last exhibition at Cheekwood and will also commemorate the 60th anniversary of Cheekwood as a public institution.

The exhibition opening will serve as the grand reopening of Cheekwood’s newly renovated Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail, its nearly mile-long trail featuring 10 monumental sculptures. Having broken ground earlier this year, the enhancement project will feature a new trailhead entrance, a barrier-free path, evening lighting, horticultural areas, and conservation of existing sculptures.

Two of Chihuly’s works will be installed on the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail for visitors to enjoy during the exhibition. Another will be installed in the Great Hall of Cheekwood’s newly renovated Frist Learning Center.

“We are delighted to bring Dale Chihuly’s extraordinary work back to Cheekwood, where his vibrant installations will be in dialogue with the estate’s incomparably beautiful vistas,” said Jane MacLeod, President and CEO of Cheekwood. “For many Nashvillians, Chihuly’s 2010 exhibition marked their first visit to Cheekwood, and a decade later, we look forward to welcoming an ever-growing community to again experience the magnificence of Chihuly at Cheekwood.”

Nearly a decade ago, Chihuly at Cheekwood marked a watershed moment for the estate and garden. The exhibition propelled the institution to an unparalleled level of success, when Cheekwood’s annual attendance doubled from prior years, reaching an unprecedented 360,000 visitors.

“I would like to congratulate and thank Cheekwood for bringing back Chihuly,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “The first Chihuly exhibition nearly 10 years ago was an overwhelming success for both Cheekwood and Nashville, and with the rise and prominence of the cultural arts scene in our city this is the perfect time for a return.”

Chihuly’s work has been exhibited at renowned locations across the U.S. and the world, including the upcoming Chihuly: Reflections on nature at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London, Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem in Israel, and Chihuly Over Venice in Italy.

Cheekwood will feature special Chihuly Nights admission Thursdays – Sundays, along with regular daytime hours Tuesdays – Sundays. Cheekwood is closed to the public on Mondays.

Daytime admission to Chihuly at Cheekwood will be included in the general admission ticket price. Admission to see Chihuly Nights will require a separate ticket. More information about tickets and special programs will be announced later.

Chihuly at Cheekwood is funded in part by