Category: Membership

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.

<h2>When people see how gorgeous Cheekwood is and how much there is to do there, they are hooked! One visit is simply not enough.</h2>

My mother-in-law gave us a Cheekwood Membership to have a beautiful place to let my girls run. Cheekwood is very important in our lives, and we renew our Membership each year. My girls learned to love visiting museums from our many trips to the Mansion galleries.

I love the thousands of tulips in the spring! We visit often to see the tulips in their various stages and to see what new ones have opened! The number of bulbs planted is staggering.

I never miss visiting the Blevins Japanese Garden and bamboo! It is peaceful and serene.

My favorite art exhibitions were the Chihuly glass sculptures in 2010 and 2020. My mother-in-law made stained glass windows for churches, so we are especially appreciative of art glass.

Two of my daughters separately celebrated their 16th birthdays at Cheekwood along with two dozen friends with whom to roam the gardens and Mansion. My younger daughter’s friends came dressed up as garden fairies! Both daughters remember this as a favorite party.

Cheekwood is easy access to art and nature for us city dwellers. I am thankful for the wise leadership at Cheekwood who are preserving it for future residents to enjoy. The number and quality of exhibitions and activities have dramatically improved since we first joined.

Of course we love Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS! It is a family tradition! This year, we brought our new granddaughter to see the lights. The Christmas decorations by Laura Dowling in the Mansion were the most spectacular I have seen there.

Being a Member is such a great value! One of my friends joined after I brought her as my guest. When people see how gorgeous Cheekwood is and how much there is to do there, they are hooked! One visit is simply not enough.

<h2>I love the Carell Trail, the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, <br>the Wisteria Arbor…I just love all of Cheekwood.</h2>

I love the history and the beauty [of Cheekwood] and wanted to be able to enjoy it whenever I could.

That is so hard to say, but probably the fall, which is pretty much my favorite time of year.

I love the Carell Trail, the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, the Wisteria Arbor … I just love all of Cheekwood. I love taking pictures there.

The Chihuly exhibitions have by far been my favorites. I enjoy them all, but having taken one workshop in glassblowing, I am amazed at the glass arts.

I took my daughter and her husband one evening during the first Chihuly exhibition. We went in the evening, had a picnic dinner, and just enjoyed everything about the night. The weather was perfect.

The history of the grounds and the home is part of Nashville’s history, so being aware of the philanthropy of the Cheek and Sharp families is of value and could be an inspiration for personal giving. Many of the exhibitions that are there may not be available to many except for Cheekwood’s planning and offering. The importance of the artistic and creative processes cannot be overstated.

My grandchildren and I take advantage of many of the activities throughout the year. The TOTS program that now is most every day, the TRAINS … just everywhere you look at Cheekwood, there is something to do and enjoy. One grandson attended summer camp there for two or three years and loved it. Plus, we’re coming to see the TROLLS.

I tell any and everybody that my membership at Cheekwood is most likely the best money I spend in a year. I live fairly close and can run over there to hike the sculpture trail, take pictures, see special exhibitions, and just enjoy the beauty.

I have always been an active citizen of Nashville alongside my family, and have done extensive volunteer work in my life, including being a member of the board of the Friends of Cheekwood, a committee headed by my mother-in-law Helen Rosenfeld. Also, my husband’s uncle Albert Werthan was one of the presidents of the Board of Cheekwood. Before moving to Nashville, my family was also active in Houston, Texas.

My family has been involved with Cheekwood for so long, that it is hard to remember exactly when my membership started. But I would say it started around the year 1961, which was about one year after Cheekwood opened its doors to the public as a botanical garden in 1960. I think that if you’re a member of the community, it is important to have a place where art, beauty, and culture thrive. Cheekwood is just a treasure in Nashville.

Although I visit Cheekwood year-round, my favorite time of year to enjoy the gardens is the springtime when the tulips in the color garden are at their full bloom.

Since it opened in 1999, my favorite place to visit on Cheekwood’s grounds is the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail. Although I have been on the trail innumerable times, a particularly fond memory is when my husband and I took my husband’s fraternity there on a reunion trip. We saw many of the sights that Nashville has to offer, including the Grand Ole Opry, but the highlight of their trip for us was the Sculpture Trail.

My favorite memories from Cheekwood over the years have been attending the Swan Balls. We went for many years. In fact, in 1971, I was asked to be one of what they called the “Swan Ball Beauties,” which meant that it was my job to walk around with raffle tickets and sell them to people sitting at the tables. Many of the amazing workers decorating the Swan Ball and making the event come to life were volunteers in those days. I must have attended 30 or more Swan Balls over the years!

In addition to the wonderful collection of art pieces on the Sculpture Trail, my favorite exhibition that Cheekwood has ever displayed is artist Dale Chihuly’s masterful glassworks. Seeing those works displayed and lit so beautifully was a treat; and I am so excited to see Bruce Munro’s Light exhibition, because I have heard such great things. I also really love the Jamie Wyeth and Andy Warhol pieces in the mansion museum.

The reason my family and I have supported Cheekwood for so many years is because it is such a special gem to have in a community. When I moved here from Houston, which was a more developed city than Nashville in the late 1950’s, Cheekwood was one of the only places at the time where our community could engage artistically. Since then, we have loved experiencing all the artistic enrichment that Cheekwood has to offer, first with our children and then with our grandchildren. It’s a beautiful spot, an oasis with wonderful history.

I personally feel that if you're a member of a community, that it is amazing to support the wonderful things that the community has to offer. Cheekwood is just a Nashville treasure, and I would encourage people to support it just because of the joy that they would derive from visiting and taking in its natural and artistic brilliance.

When I saw all the various programs, art and music that Cheekwood has to offer I was very excited to become a member with all those benefits. I love to walk the sculpture trail, meet friends for Thursday Night Out, and bring out-of-state friends to share the beauty of Cheekwood.

It would be hard to pick a favorite season, since all seasons have such fun events. We love the daffodils of spring, the pumpkins of fall, the Christmas lights in winter, and all the concerts with food trucks that summer has to offer. So, I would have to answer all four seasons!

I love the Blevins Japanese Garden, the tulips and daffodils, but my new love is walking the labyrinth in The Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, such a nice way to be silent, hold space for yourself, and meditate.

I feel so fortunate to have enjoyed all the amazing exhibits that you continue to bring to Cheekwood! Chihuly, Bruce Munro, Jaume Plensa, Art Hop, Cracking Art, Art Bark, Carmen Herrera, and of course all the permanent and changing installations inside the Cheekwood mansion. I try to attend Otsukimi, the annual Japanese Moon Viewing festival, and learn the art of Japanese calligraphy and the beautiful dance of the culture. My personal favorite piece of art is The Glass Bridge by American, Iran-born artist, Siah Armajani. So magical to walk through it.

My personal favorites are the Wellness Classes. To do yoga in the garden, sound bath in the Japanese Gardens and Tai Chi. Although Nicole has grown up, the children’s summer camps are wonderful. Many years ago, I taught art classes for the young children in the stable area. When Nicole was in grade school, she celebrated her birthday with a ceramic birthday party in the stables.

I chat up Cheekwood all the time, and my exuberance has led to several friends signing up for a membership. Word of mouth has always worked for me. As you can see, Cheekwood is my second home!

During my first visit, I thoroughly enjoyed the nature and garden areas of Cheekwood, and signed up to become a member that day! <br><br>I enjoy coming to Cheekwood so very much, especially when my other grandson from Florida comes to visit me, sometimes for weeks at a time and we go to Cheekwood at least once a week during that time.

Since I usually visit with my grandchildren, we spend most of our time in the Children's Garden. The kids never tire of the obstacle course and rope bridge, water features, and the playhouse. We have also been active participants in the reading and craft times that are hosted. The train area is another favorite spot with its extensive tracks and hidden coves to explore. The beautiful landscaping and seasonal flowers in all of these areas make it a pleasant experience for all.

While I enjoy the variety and new features that come with each season, Cheekwood harvest and the pumpkin decorations are my favorite.

The holiday lights together with my family. I upgraded my membership so I was able to bring my whole family without having to pay a lot more. It was cold and because of that we enjoyed the hot chocolate in the cafe.

We enjoy Cheekwood in Bloom every spring (especially the tulips since we are from the Netherlands), the orchid display in the mansion, and children's story time and crafts.

I frequently encourage other people to sign up for Cheekwood memberships. As you can see in the pictures, Cheekwood is to be enjoyed by young and old alike, in every season!