Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art - Nashville, Tennessee

Address:1200 Forrest Park Dr
Nashville, Tennessee
Tel: (615) 356-8000

Looking for a rich and diverse gallery with a collection deeply interwoven with the growth of Nashville? Well look no further, Cheekwood is the place for you. First opened to the public in 1960, the private home and estate of the Cheek family, is a beautiful 55-acre property, providing visitors with a unique experience of art and gardens.

The Georgian-style mansion holds a world-class collection of American contemporary paintings, English decorative arts, fine Faberge eggs, and a woodland sculpture trail. There are also collections of silver and a comprehensive porcelain Worcester collection.

The Contemporary Art galleries are in the estate's original garage and stables, and include paintings by Larry Rivers, Andy Warhol, Robert Ryman, and Red Grooms. Specialties include a Holzer bench and an illusionist installation by Irish artist Cathy Prendergast.

Cheekwood boasts 600 paintings and 5,000 prints, drawings and photographs, which span the history of American art, focusing on "The Eight" (Henri, Luks, Sloan, etc.), a collection assembled in the 1980's and early 90's. Other strengths include the sculptures of William Edmondson, photographs of Louise Dahl-Wolfe, and a vast variety of post WWII prints.

The Decorative Arts collection centers on Worcester porcelain and American silver. The 350- piece Worcester collection illustrates the historical design progression of the 18th-20th centuries. It is the third largest such collection in the U.S. The 650-piece silver collection spans the 18th-20th centuries, and includes some European pieces for comparative purposes. A significant compilation of world Faberge eggs includes some 57 rare eggs with three from the Russian Imperial Easter eggs, and other important functional items, fantasy items and floral works.

The one mile long Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail, is a unique feature among American art museums, and integrates the sculptures of contemporary, internationally renowned artists into the woodlands. Sculptures such as Gateway of Water, Cloud, and Fire by Eric Orr and an underground "sky piece" by James Turrell are just a taste of the art you can enjoy along the trail.

The Pineapple Room Restaurant overlooks Cheekwood's west lawn and is a lovely place to enjoy a meal or snack. Make sure not to miss Cheekwood's Gift Shop with a unique variety of garden and seasonal gifts, decorations, toys, and books.

To get to Cheekwood from the I-65, exit onto Broadway / West End Avenue / Harding Road and turn left onto Belle Meade Boulevard, where you'll make a right onto Page Road, followed by a right onto Forest Park Drive. Cheekwood is at the top of Forrest Park Drive on the right.

The history and origin of Cheekwood are intimately interwoven with the growth of Nashville, the Maxwell House coffee brand and the Cheeks, one of the city's early entrepreneurial families.