Credit: Brookgreen Gardens
Summer continues to shine at Brookgreen Gardens, where natural beauty and cultural inspiration converge across 9,000+ acres of rich landscapes and stunning large-scale sculptures. Whether seeking quiet moments under the shade of ancient live oaks or engaging in enriching hands-on experiences, guests will find more than they imagine at Brookgreen.
This August, visitors can explore new exhibitions including a multi-sensory art journey featuring the work of a local Charleston artist, a powerful fiber art exhibit honoring African water spirits and mermaids, and the premier annual exhibition of American figurative sculpture.
In addition, a variety of unique programs and events will be held throughout the month including a dill-canning workshop, offering a fun and flavorful way to preserve summer's bounty, and a Labor Day 5K to close out the season with an active adventure through the Gardens.
See below for full programming details.
Exhibitions:
NEW: National Sculpture Society 92nd Annual Awards Exhibition, Aug. 2 – Oct. 26
Recognized as the premier annual exhibition of American figurative sculpture, this show will feature the finest contemporary works by American masters alongside rising stars, with pieces handpicked by the National Sculpture Society (NSS), the country’s first organization of professional sculptors. The exhibition includes bronze, marble, ceramic, wood and cardboard sculptures of wildlife, natural elements, portraits, and more. Seventeen awards will be presented by the NSS, along with the People’s Choice Award determined by votes from visitors to Brookgreen, during the awards ceremony at the exhibition’s conclusion on Oct. 26.
NEW: Celebrating Black Mermaids: From Africa to America, Aug. 16 – Sep. 28
This powerful exhibition features mixed-media fiber works by acclaimed artists from across the U.S., honoring African water spirits and goddesses as mermaids. Drawing on traditions from West Africa to the Americas, the show explores the enduring presence of Black mermaids in folklore, spirituality, and cultural memory. Each artwork tells a story—blending history, myth, and imagination to celebrate ancestral strength and creativity.
The fiber art in Celebrating Black Mermaids functions as modern-day griot—visual storytelling rich in symbolism and emotion. Each piece becomes a vessel for ancestral memory, weaving together threads of identity, survival, reverence, and transformation.
NEW: Art Journey to Inner Peace, Aug. 16 – Sep. 28
This multi-sensory exhibition features mixed media paintings, collages and poetry by Charleston-based artist, author, and wellness facilitator Christine D. Johnson. Inspired by her Jamaican roots and a lifelong commitment to mental wellness, this immersive experience guides visitors through five transformative phases—Shedding, Courage, Strength, Balance, and Arrival – each serving as a visual and emotional milestone toward healing and joy.
FINAL WEEKS: Summer Light: Art by Night, Wednesdays and Saturdays, Now – Aug. 30, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
On 26 enchanting summer nights, thousands of bulbs will illuminate Brookgreen Gardens, offering guests an opportunity to see the National Historic Landmark in a new light. Brookgreen's stunning landscapes, including the iconic Oak Allée, will come alive with sparkling light installations created by Brookgreen's public exhibits production and design team, the same talented group behind the beloved Nights of a Thousand Candles winter series. Additionally, this year's event will be enhanced by the exhibition Gardens of Glass: The Art of Craig Mitchell Smith, featuring 30 large-scale glass sculptures that will be illuminated as evening falls. Gates will reopen at 6 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday to allow visitors to enjoy live music, savor dining and beverage options from Austin's Harvest Restaurant, the Old Kitchen, and a selection of food trucks, as well as shop at Keepsakes, Brookgreen's onsite retailer. For more information on this year's event and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.brookgreen.org/
Special Events:
Camera Chat, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
In this hands-on Q&A session led by photographers Anne Malarich and CJ Uricks, participants will break into small groups based on camera models to explore menus, discuss settings for different shooting conditions and get tips on how to become more comfortable and creative behind the lens.
Dirt & Details: Kaela Miller in the Poetry Garden, Aug. 7, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Guests are invited to join Brookgreen’s plant collections coordinator and horticulturalist, Kaela Miller, for an informative stroll through the Poetry Garden—home to the Garden's extensive and vibrant rose collection. Kaela will share practical tips on cultivating healthy, thriving roses in the hot and humid Southern climate, all without the use of pesticides.
Open Studio, Aug. 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Now located in the new Simpson Art Center, Open Studio provides guests the chance to learn from a sculptor and witness the techniques used to build a sculpture from clay to bronze.
Weave & Hang: Wall and Doorknob Basket Workshop, Aug. 14, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
In this hands-on session, students will master the essentials of basketry, from laying out the base and twining to shaping upright spokes and weaving in a continuous pattern to create a versatile basket perfect for hanging on a wall or door.
Brookgreen 101, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Brookgreen 101 is a monthly public information program at the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium, covering 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 the National Sculpture Society 92nd Annual Awards Exhibit with Robin Salmon.
Pickle Perfect: A Hands-On Dill Canning Workshop, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
This hands-on dill pickle canning workshop offers participants a fun and flavorful introduction to home food preservation. Guests will be guided through the entire canning process, from prepping cucumbers and mixing the perfect brine to sealing jars for long-term storage, making it perfect for first-time canners or those simply looking to brush up their skills.
Brookgreen Gardens Labor Day 5K, Aug. 31, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
In partnership with N.S. Promos, Brookgreen invites participants of all ages to experience the Gardens’ beauty while running or walking in the 4th annual Labor Day 5K. Participants will receive a shirt, race bib, medal and free entry to Brookgreen Gardens for a future visit. Registration is available online until Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m.