This month, Brookgreen Gardens will celebrate the peak of autumn with a family-friendly fall festival, Harvest Home Weekend, the continuation of the multidisciplinary exhibition “Art of the American West,” as well as variety of educational workshops and lectures covering topics including photography, watercolor painting and more.
See below for details on Brookgreen’s programming in October:
Exhibitions
Art of the American West, Now – Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The art of the American West captures the spirit, landscapes and cultural history of the western United States. It includes depictions of vast prairies, rugged mountains and iconic imagery such as cowboys, Native Americans and frontier life. The art serves not only as a visual record of history but also as a means to explore themes of adventure, expansion and the relationship between humans and the natural world. This exhibit includes paintings, sculptures, art prints, jewelry, textiles and other objects representative of the American West.
Programming
Photo Walks in The Garden, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Photographers Anne Malarich, George DeCamp and Rick Farrell will take guests on a two-hour walk through Brookgreen Gardens with a camera in hand. Walks will cover photography topics like exposure and composition. Participants should have a good working knowledge of their cameras.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Art After Hours, Oct. 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, 5 – 8 p.m.
Experience an evening of art and dining in the Gardens with Brookgreen’s extended hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the fall. Visitors can enjoy the Art of the American West exhibit and indulge in dinner at Harvest Restaurant.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
From Garden to Bath: Crafting with Homegrown Luffa, Thursday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Participants will explore the art of transforming luffa, a vegetable often mistaken for a sea sponge, into a natural exfoliator in this hands-on workshop. Perfect for craft enthusiasts and those interested in sustainable living, this session will provide all materials, allowing attendees to take home an eco-friendly, handcrafted sponge.
Price: Members: $50 | Non-Members: $50
Harvest Home Weekend, Oct. 5, 6, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate the season at Brookgreen Gardens during Harvest Home Weekend with activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy a pumpkin patch, scarecrow building, a hay maze, face painting, craft tables, live music and more. Guests can craft their scarecrows with ready-to-assemble kits or bring their favorite outfits from home to personalize their creation. Food vendors and trucks will be available on-site.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Yoga in the Gardens – Harmony in Nature Series, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Guests are invited to experience the calming effects of yoga in the peaceful setting of Brookgreen Gardens. This Hatha-based practice includes gentle standing and seated poses and guided breathing. Open to all levels, attendees are encouraged to bring a mat, water and any desired props.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Welcome to the South: A Primer for Transplant Gardeners, Tuesday, Oct 8, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
This session, led by Lucy Contreras, is perfect for new gardeners adjusting to Southern climates. Participants will learn about plants suited for the region, general gardening lessons and the unique challenges from the perspective of a Northerner-turned-Southerner.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Tibetan Sound Bowl Meditation – Harmony in Nature Series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 12 – 1 p.m.
Attendees can enjoy a serene hour of relaxation through the healing vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls. This mediative experience, set in the natural beauty of Brookgreen Gardens, is designed to promote inner peace and rejuvenation.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Novel Expressions of Gullah Geechee Heritage, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 23, 1 – 2 p.m.
Author, performer and cultural preservationist Ron Daise will lead an engaging participatory presentation on Gullah Geechee culture. Guests will explore history, songs, beliefs and language, while also hearing excerpts from his novel, Raptors in the Ricelands, set in a fictional Gullah Geechee community.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Watercolor Workshop, Thursday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This hands-on workshop focuses on simplifying complex forms and mastering color temperature. Participants will have the opportunity to bring their vision to life with a curated selection of images or use photographs taken within Brookgreen Gardens for artistic inspiration.
Price: Members: $85 | Non-Members: $99
Botanical Blues: Exploring Wet Cyanotype Printing, Friday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Guests will dive into the world of wet cyanotype printing, a photographic process that produces beautiful deep blue tones. After a brief garden tour to gather natural elements, an expert instructor will guide attendees in creating unique botanical prints using light-sensitive chemicals.
Price: Members: $65 | Non-Members: $65
Breakfast with the Birds – Harmony in Nature Series, Oct. 15, 7 – 9 a.m.
Guests are invited to join Richard Costa for an early morning bird-watching walk through the scenic Gardens, exploring the landscape while identifying various bird species. Binoculars and walking shoes are recommended, and the event will conclude with coffee and donuts.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Open Studio, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Open Studio is a monthly public program that invites guests to spend time with a sculptor and observe the process of creating a sculpture, from clay to bronze.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Sacred Keepsakes: Craft Your Own Native American Medicine Bag, Thursday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Participants will explore the cultural significance of Native American medicine bags, traditionally used to hold sacred items that symbolize strength, memory or love. Attendees will create their own unique medicine bag while learning about the deep personal meanings behind their contents.
Price: Members: $50 | Non-members: $50
Cultural Crafting: Create Your Own Native American Choker, Thursday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Guests will learn about the historical significance of chokers, which served as protective armor in ancient times and are now cherished as stylish accessories. They will craft their own Native American chokers while exploring the rich history of the Waccamaw Indian People, a local tribe of Horry County.
Price: Members: $50 | Non-members: $50
In the Pink Walk, Saturday, Oct. 19, 8 a.m.
Guests can support the fight against breast cancer by participating in the 19th annual In the Pink Walk, now held at Brookgreen Gardens. Registration includes a commemorative t-shirt and complimentary Gardens admission. Join others in the region to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer care, with proceeds benefitting the Tidelands Health breast care fund.
Price: $35
Brookgreen Labyrinth Walk, Saturday, Oct. 19, 1 – 3 p.m.
Celebrate the beauty of autumn with a peaceful and reflective walk through the labyrinth at Brookgreen Gardens. As part of the event, participants will enjoy a reading of a poem by Larry Bulter, offering strength, peace and guidance as the season transitions.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Brookgreen 101, Thursday, Oct. 24, 1 – 2 p.m.
Brookgreen 101 is a public information program offered monthly in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. The rotating topics will cover various aspects of Brookgreen Gardens, including its collections, property, history, people, poetry, art history, corporate history, founders and purposes. This month’s topic will be: “Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice: Customs, Superstitions, and Good Things to Know.”
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Children’s Imagination Walk, Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Families are invited to a magical day at Brookgreen Gardens for the annual Children’s Imagination Walk. Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy a variety of activities, including magical creature mask-making, potion-making and pumpkin painting. Guests can follow a scavenger hunt map, enjoy story time and join the costume parade at 2 p.m. This family-friendly event is free with Gardens admission.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
Preparing Your Garden for Winter Wildlife, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
While some wildlife migrates to warmer areas for the winter, many species remain in place. To survive the cooler months, these animals require specific resources to thrive. Amphibians, reptiles and insects often seek safe, warm spots, while resident birds need reliable food sources, which can be scarce in the wild. Participants will discover how to transform your backyard into a welcoming habitat for wildlife this winter.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Gardens Admission
