Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Named One of the Top Ten Gardens in the US

In April, National Garden Month, TripAdvisor® compiled its list of the Top Ten Public Gardens in the United States based on traveler’s reviews and opinions and Brookgreen Gardens was named as one of their choices. The list features gardens from coast to coast, so nature lovers across the country can enjoy an amazing botanical experience.

“We were delighted to be recognized by TripAdvisor® as one of the top public gardens in the country,” said Bob Jewell, Brookgreen Gardens President and CEO. “It is indicative of the garden’s long-standing commitment to excellence, in all that it does. For 83 years, Brookgreen Gardens has been an inspiration, refuge and retreat for our community. We hope residents and visitors will take pride in the fact that in their midst is one of America’s premier gardens and we pledge to keep it ever changing, simply amazing.”

TripAdvisor® is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip with trusted advice from real travelers. TripAdvisor® branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 200 million unique monthly visitors, and over 100 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide.

Brookgreen Gardens, a non-profit organization located on U.S. 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, is open daily to the public.

For more information, visit (www.brookgreen.org) or call 843/235-6000.

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Presents History Program ‘Faces of Clay, Echoes of Africa’ – Jan. 26, 2013

On Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at 1pm, Mark Newell and April Hynes will present “Faces of Clay, Echoes of Africa’ which documents their research about the descendants of the Wanderer, the last slave ship to journey to America in 1868 with 400 enslaved captives from Congo. These enslaved Africans began producing face jug pottery whose mysterious origins were featured in the PBS History Detectives show. Their talk is free with garden admission.

In THE FACE JUG documentary, Hynes and Newell tell the story of a Philadelphia housewife who, in the course of trying to learn the origins of a piece of inherited pottery, unearthed a long-forgotten bit of American history judged as important as that of the La’ Amistad —the 1858 illegal importation of more than 400 slaves aboard the slave ship Wanderer. In their efforts to find out who might have made the jug and how it ended up in Philadelphia, Hynes and Newell found themselves enthralled by the story of Wanderer survivors. They share their findings, entwining the remarkable event of the search with the information they discovered about many of these illegally smuggled slaves. What they experienced as freed men and women, how they endured, and how their descendants prospered and contributed, ultimately makes this a story of triumph.

Along the way, they have given some people back their forgotten African history, reunited long lost family members and have stepped back to see how this simple jug has touched the lives of so many.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on US Hwy. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, SC, and is open to the public daily.

For more information, visit our web site at (www.brookgreen.org) or call 843/235-6000.

Ebb and Flow Art Co-op in Murrells Inlet, SC, Offers Holiday Art Show – Dec. 16, 2012

Ebb & Flow Art Co-op in Murrells Inlet, SC, proudly presents our fifth annual Holiday Art Show & Sale on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 from 1-6pm. The Artists of Ebb & Flow invite you to join them for hors d’oeuvres, beverages & lots of local art as we celebrate the Holiday Season! During this exhibit, original work of more than 35 local artists can be viewed and purchased. There will also be unique handmade ornaments made by each artist, local honey, organic local oranges and much more. While browsing, shoppers will enjoy entertainment from local musicians Phyllis TannerFrye and Steve Russel. Please support the arts and choose a unique gift for someone special on your gift list. Come view our new ART, sip some wine, & mingle with local Artists & fellow art lovers!

Ebb & Flow Art Co-op is an artist run gallery in Murrells Inlet that boasts a hefty array of local talent. Artists include: Lee Arthur, Gaston Locklear, Keels Culberson Swinnie, Ted Watts and more that 30 others. The unique art and furniture is created by established artisans that have been working in the area for years as well as some fresh new talent. Members work in a wide variety of mediums and styles. These mediums include everything from traditional canvas, painted furniture, driftwood art, custom furniture, wood turnings, silverwork, beaded jewelry, blown glass, pottery, and many more.

Ebb & Flow is more than just an art gallery. We are forum for local expression; an informal place where you can relax, sip some great coffee, catch up on your reading, listen to good music, surf the Internet, or just hang out.  We feature fresh ground locally roasted beans as well as creative espresso drinks and an array of homemade baked goods. We are committed to a green business operation by using products that are 100% biodegradable and compostable. The coffee shop provides the perfect place to sit awhile and admire the skill of the artists. Relax, enjoy the art, and maybe ponder on a purchase with no pressure.

Ebb & Flow is many things but mostly it is a place for the inspiration, collaboration, and expression of its members. We provide a venue for local artists to display and sell their artwork as well as a place for the community to view and acquire what artists in there area are creating. Artists staff the gallery and operate all aspects of the business. Sales go directly to the artist. We also offer the unique opportunity for you to actually meet the creator of the art, because the person at the desk is one of the artists. Our artists make a real effort to keep their prices reasonable because all members of the Co-Op feel that art should be available to everyone.

This funky coffee house offers an eclectic atmosphere to meet, chat, work and enjoy a great espresso, latte, or cappuccino. Head to Ebb & Flow, every Thursday evening from 7- 9pm and enjoy the music of Phyllis TannerFrye, Steve Russel, and other local musicians in a comfortable, non-smoking, friendly setting.

The Gallery is also available for rent for private art shows, parties, or any other small gathering. The gallery and coffee house will now be open Tue.-Sat., 8am – 6pm & Thur. until 9pm. Ebb & Flow is located on Hwy. 17 bypass in Murrells Inlet, across from Thomas Supply, right before the Wachesaw Road intersection. We are constantly growing and changing so come in frequently to see what’s new.

For more information visit (www.ebbandflowartco-op.com) or call us at 843/651-2386.

Seacoast Artists Guild of South Carolina Announces the Winners of the 9th Annual Fall Art Show and Sale

The Seacoast Artists Guild of South Carolina, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing excellence in the visual arts, opened its judged 9th Annual Fall Art Show & Sale with an elegant awards ceremony held at the Inlet Square Mall in Murrells Inlet, SC, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 10, 2012. Over 80 local artists participated in the show that was sponsored by Art & Frame Outlet, Harvest Commons, JerriBob’s Mail Service, MiddleChild Photography, Callas Florist and several in-memoriam donations.

The show culminated with Jackie Briggs winning BEST IN SHOW for her photograph “Slickers.” In the professional categories, 1st place ribbons went to Barnie Slice for his 2D watercolor on canvas “Road to the Sun” and to William McEvoy for his photograph “Autumn Submerged”. Doug Elder won 1st place for “Gorget” in the 3D category. In the non-professional categories, first place went to Fred Shenay for his oil on canvas “Rustic Mill” and to Su Kopil for her photograph “Big Sky”.

A full listing of all the winning artwork can be viewed at (www.seacoastartistsguild.com). The show and sale continues through Oct. 20, 2012, from 10am to 9pm, Mon.-Sat., and noon to 6pm on Sunday, located adjacent to Center Court (across from the Hallmark store) in the Inlet Square Mall in Murrells Inlet.

In addition to seeing a great Art Show, fall in love with the creative spirit of your local artists with a purchase. Each purchase will help develop and nurture our young artists-to-be! For every $100 spent by customers in art purchases, the Seacoast Artists Guild will donate $25 to its training and scholarship fund to support Training & Educational Art Programs at our local schools and help fund Scholarships to be awarded to gifted art students.

With over 200 highly skilled and talented members, the Guild provides workshops, seminars, special events and exhibits for its members, and in turn, members share their talents with local schools within the community. It is engaged in local charitable causes, recently painting ceramic bowls for the upcoming “Souper Bowl” for Habitat For Humanity’s annual fund raising event that will be held on January 26, 2013.

For membership information, go to (www.seacoastartistsguild.com).

Ebb and Flow Art Co-op in Murrells Inlet, SC, Offers Gallery Craw and Grand Opening of Sweet Violet Bakery – Sept. 18, 2011

Artists of Ebb & Flow invite you to join them for hors d’oeuvres, beverages, live music, and lots of local art on Sept. 18, 2011, from 2-8pm. During this exhibit, original work of more than 30 local artists can be viewed and purchased. There will be new pieces by Lee Arthur, Gaston Locklear, Keels Culberson Swinnie, Ted Watts, and Diane Brooks. Shoppers will also enjoy entertainment from local musicians Phyllis Tanner Frye and Steve Russell. Come view our new artworks, sip some wine, taste some delicious treats, and mingle with local artists and fellow art lovers!

The Gallery Crawl (3-6pm) will coincide with the grand opening of Sweet Violet Bakery inside Ebb & Flow. Kelly Shelton is an incredible pastry chef that previously baked for Collector Café in Myrtle Beach, SC, and Inlet Affairs in Murrells Inlet. She is opening Sweet Violet Bakery, named for her daughter Violet, and will feature baked goodies such as cakes, muffins, cupcakes, scones and pies. We will have old southern favorites as well as gluten-free and vegan options. With a farm to table concept, we will use seasonal produce from local organic farms such as Sugerfoot and indigo farms and some of our products will feature native stone-ground South Carolina heirloom grains from Anson Mills. Violet’s Bakery takes pride in the fact that all of our baked goods will be made from scratch and with love!

Ebb & Flow Art Co-op is a gallery in Murrells Inlet that boasts a hefty array of local talent. Artists include: Lee Arthur, Diane Brooks, Gaston Locklear, Keels Culberson Swinnie, Ted Watts and more that 30 others. The unique art and furniture is created by established artisans that have been working in the area for years as well as some fresh new talent. Members work in a wide variety of mediums and styles. These mediums include everything from traditional canvas, painted furniture, driftwood art, custom furniture, wood turnings, silverwork, beaded jewelry, blown glass, pottery, and many more.

The Gallery is also available for rent for private art shows, parties, or any other small gathering.

Ebb & Flow is located on Hwy 17 bypass in Murrells Inlet, across from Thomas Supply, right before the Wachesaw Road intersection.

For further info call the gallery at 843/651-2386 or visit (www.ebbandflowartco-op.com).

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Receives Henry Luce Foundation Grant

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation’s American Art Renewal Fund to support the creation of a dedicated space for its library collection and historic archives. This project will establish a comprehensive institutional facility to preserve and maintain Brookgreen’s unique collection, originally begun by Archer Milton Huntington in the early 1930s.  Through the years, the collection has expanded to include books and other printed material on topics pertaining to the purposes of Brookgreen Gardens.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the Henry Luce Foundation grant award, which will allow us to advance an important element of our strategic plan by creating a central facility to house our collection in up-to-date, archivally-approved conditions,” said Bob Jewell, Brookgreen’s President and CEO. “We are most appreciative of the Henry Luce Foundation’s support over the years and of its most recent funding that will provide for the creation of this needed facility.” Previously, the Henry Luce Foundation provided grants that supported the restoration of many of the gates within Brookgreen Gardens and the national tour of the exhibition, American Masters: Sculpture from Brookgreen Gardens.

The American Art Renewal Fund was developed by the Henry Luce Foundation to respond to the economic downturn and the current need to strengthen American art activities in our nation’s museums. This short-term initiative, offered through the American Art Program, provides support for operating expenses related to American Art. The American Art Renewal Fund is a departure from the traditional focus on research and scholarship and is only in effect through 2011. Since its inception in 1982, the Henry Luce Foundation’s American Art Program has provided more than $130 million to support scholarly studies and awareness of American art at some 250 museums, universities, and service organizations across the country and internationally.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on US Hwy. 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, SC, and is open to the public daily.

For more information, consult our web site at (www.brookgreen.org) or call 800/849-1931.

Ebb & Flow Art Co-op in Murrells Inlet, SC, Offers Spring Art Show – May 15, 2011

On Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 1- 8pm, the Artists of Ebb & Flow invite you to join them for hors d’oeuvres, beverages, live music, & lots of local art! During this exhibit, original work of more than 30 local artists can be viewed and purchased. Shoppers will also enjoy entertainment from local musicians. Come view our new ART, sip some wine, & mingle with local Artists & fellow art lovers!

Ebb & Flow Art Co-op is a gallery in Murrells Inlet that boasts a hefty array of local talent. Artists include: Lee Arthur, Gaston Locklear, Keels Culberson Swinnie, Ted Watts and more that 30 others. The unique art and furniture is created by established artisans that have been working in the area for years as well as some fresh new talent. Members work in a wide variety of mediums and styles. These mediums include everything from traditional canvas, painted furniture, driftwood art, custom furniture, wood turnings, silverwork, beaded jewelry, blown glass, pottery, and many more. Ebb & Flow Art Co-op is made up of five main artists: Lee Arthur, Gaston Locklear, Keels Culberson Swinnie, Ted Watts, and Diane Brooks.

We are located on Hwy 17 Business in Murrells Inlet, SC, beside Plantation Printing, across from Thomas Supply in the old J & J Antiques building. Look for the ART! sign.

For more information visit (www.ebbandflowartco-op.com) or call at 843/651-2386.

Robert E. “Bob” Jewell, CEO of Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Re-named to Board of National Sculpture Society

Robert E. “Bob” Jewell, Brookgreen Gardens’ President and CEO, was recently appointed to a second three-year term of the National Sculpture Society’s Board of Directors and was selected to serve on the Board’s Executive Committee.

“The National Sculpture Society is delighted to have Bob on the Board of Directors, in part because of his outstanding business and leadership skills but also because his participation on the Society’s Board of Directors continues a long friendship between two organizations which support the goal of excellence in sculpture,” said Gwen Pier, Executive Director of the NSS.

“It is an honor to serve on the Board of Director’s Executive Committee of such a distinguished national organization,” said Bob Jewell. “Brookgreen Gardens and the National Sculpture Society have had a relationship as long as both organizations have existed. Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, who founded Brookgreen Gardens, were active members of the Society and its mission in many ways is similar to the mission of the Gardens.” Jewell was elected for a three-year term on the NSS Board in 2008 and was re-elected for another three-year term in January.

Founded in 1893, National Sculpture Society is headquartered in New York City and is the oldest and most prestigious association of professional sculptors in the United States.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on US Hwy. 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, SC, and is open to the public daily.

For more information, consult our website at (www.brookgreen.org) or call 800-849-1931.

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Invites You to a Winter Tea in Jan. and Feb., 2011

Show off your favorite hat and join other Mad Hatters in the beautiful Holliday Cottage (formerly the Southern Living Showcase House) for a Mad Hatters luncheon and tea party from 11:30am- 1pm on Saturday, Jan. 15, 22, & 29, 2011. Space is limited and reservations are required on a first-come first-serve basis. Call 843/235-6016 for more information and reservations. The cost is $35 per person and includes garden admission.

In February, Brookgreen’s Winter Teas provide a warm escape from the chill of February and a perfect get-together for friends to enjoy a sampling of teas, scones, and other sweet and savory treats. The Winter Teas are served each Saturday during February with seatings at 3:30 and 4pm in the Pavilion Restaurant. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 843/235-6016 for more information. The price for the Winter Tea is $27 per person and includes garden admission.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on US Hwy. 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, SC, and is open to the public daily. The Gardens are one of the largest collections of outdoor sculpture in America. This preeminent collection of American representational sculpture includes – 560 works by 240 artists – representing such well-known artists as Charles Parks, Daniel Chester French, Carl Milles, August Saint-Gaudens and Anna Hyatt Huntington.

For more information, visit our web site at (www.brookgreen.org) or call 843/235-6000.