SC Watermedia Society Calls for Participation in the “Brookgreen Gardens Plein Air Competition” – May 25, 2019

The SC Watermedia Society calls for participation in the “Brookgreen Gardens Plein Air Competition” to be held on May 25, 2019, from 9am – 6pm in Murrells Inlet, SC.

If you are planning to stay in the area overnight, you might want to make hotel reservations as soon as possible as this is Memorial Day weekend and there are lots of activities and visitors to the area at that time and room fill quickly.

Sponsored by McCalls Farms

Check-in 9am on May 25. The event is open to members of SCWS with a $25 participation fee and $35 for non-members. A box lunch can be pre-ordered. The cost is an additional $12. Participants must pre-register and select if they want a box lunch. Register in the form below.

Join SCWS at (https://scwatermedia.com/membership/).

Participants will fill out a participant agreement. Be prepared to provide an emergency contact name and number.

Deliver paintings, ready for hanging (with D-rings and wire), at 4pm for judging and displaying. Paintings on paper may be entered without framing or wiring and will be displayed as determined by the Art Center. Artists will sign a statement that the work was developed on May 25 and is executed in a water media. Artists are encouraged to attend the reception and leave their paintings until after the reception.

Exhibit, awards ceremony, and reception will be held at 5:30pm. The public is invited.

Paint wherever you like inside Brookgreen Gardens. No oils or water-soluble oils will be accepted into the juried awards but may be included in the show and offered for sale.

Sales will be through the individual artist; no commission will be charged on sales.

SCWS, Brookgreen Gardens, and individuals affiliated with the event assume no responsibility for theft, damage, liability, or personal injury.

For further questions, please call Lynda English at 803/617-9576 or e-mail to (englishurn@bellsouth.net).

For info about the SC Watermedia Society contact Katie Koon, SCWS Executive Director by calling 843/779-7009 or e-mail to (scwatermediasociety@gmail.com).

22nd Annual Blessing of the Inlet Takes Place in Murrells Inlet, SC – May 5, 2018

On Saturday, May 5, 2018, The Blessing of the Inlet at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church, Highway 17-Business, Murrells Inlet, SC, will celebrate its 22nd anniversary from 9am to 3pm.

The Blessing of the Inlet was first started 22 years ago to create a festival filled with worship, food, fun, family and fellowship that was highlighted by a ‘Blessing’ ceremony, celebrating our Lord’s continued blessings in the Inlet Community. And the Blessing of the Inlet was to generate funds for many missions, charities, and nonprofit organizations.

The festival has grown to include a day of entertainment, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, various Murrells Inlet restaurants and local food purveyors, children’s play area with inflatables, pony rides and fun events. This year the festival will also include competitive game activities for adults and youth. All festival attendees are encouraged to stop by the events and ‘cheer on’ the contestants.

On stage again this year, the Masters of Ceremonies will feature Nicole Boone, WBTW, and Ed Piotrowski, WPDE. Nicole Boone will MC from 9am to 11:30am and Ed Piotrowski from 12:30pm to 3pm.

The festival continues to be a free event with no admission or parking charge and is always held rain or shine. Free shuttle rides to and from the Blessing will pick up and drop off on the east side of Inlet Square Mall and run from 8:30am until 4pm. Festival participants are encouraged to take advantage of free and ample parking at the mall and a fun-filled bus ride with a live informative tour guide.

The festival is highlighted by the Blessing of the Inlet ceremony which starts at 11:30am. The blessing will be administered by the Reverend Dr. Mike Alexander and the Reverend Walter Cantwell. Immediately following the “Blessing” ceremony, all visitors will be invited to “Stay to Pray” in the Belin sanctuary. Belin’s Stephen Ministers will be on hand.

Everyone is invited to come help us celebrate the Glory of God and all He has ‘blessed’ us with.

For more information about the event schedule or participating as a restaurant or crafter, please visit (www.BlessingoftheInlet.com).

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Offers Nights of a Thousand Candles

Dec. 1-3, 8-10, & 15-18, see Brookgreen Gardens come to life with the soft glow of more than 5,500 hand-lit candles thousands of sparkling lights, and exceptional entertainment. The 80-foot-tall fir tree, decorated with 70,000 lights, is lighted in ceremonial fashion at 5:45pm each night. New hand-blown glass creations from Conway Glass are on display in Anne’s Garden and two indoor holiday exhibits offer another layer of enjoyment to the event.

Important News About Nights of a Thousand Candles tickets! Advance ticket sales only!

Every year, attendance during Nights of a Thousand Candles grows! Over the years, to accommodate the growth, we have expanded the hours, added additional lines for admission, increased the number of nights, and extended the displays into more areas of the gardens. In anticipation of an increase in attendance this year, we have changed some of our ticketing procedures.

“As a result of this growth, we made the decision to change the ticketing process for the event,” said Bob Jewell, President & CEO. “The new system will more evenly distribute attendance across the 10 nights of the event, minimize delays, and ease parking and traffic congestion. This decision was not made lightly as it will no doubt impact our fundraising from the event, but to ensure the safety and comfort of our members and guests, we simply had no choice,” Jewell continued. “Our members and guests take priority, and we want them to have the best experience possible when they come to Brookgreen Gardens.”

Important News About Thousand Candles Tickets!
Advance ticket sales only with limited availability each night. Date specific tickets -you will need to select a date when you purchase tickets. You may exchange your tickets for another date at no charge by calling 1-888/718-4253. Ticket Questions? Call Customer Care at 1-888/718-4253 for assistance. Hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm. Saturday and Sunday 12 – 5pm.

All ticket proceeds go to support Brookgreen Gardens, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and display American sculpture and regional plants, animals, and history. Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark, is located on US 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, SC.

For further info call the Gardens at 843/235-6019 or visit (www.brookgreen.org).

Brookgreen Gardens’ New President and CEO Takes Office in January 2017

With the announcement of Bob Jewell’s decision to retire at the end of the year, Brookgreen Gardens, in Murrells Inlet, SC, initiated a national search to find a successor. The search was led by Bob Jewell and an executive search committee of Brookgreen Trustees. As a result of this effort, Brookgreen Gardens’ Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Page Hayhurst Kiniry has accepted the position of President and CEO effective in January 2017 (exact date to be determined).

Currently, Hayhurst Kiniry is the Executive Director of Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, VA. Along with Brookgreen Gardens, the Virginia Living Museum is one of only 14 institutions in the country accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums. Hayhurst Kiniry has a Bachelor of Arts from the College of William and Mary, and a Masters in Humanities from the University of Richmond.

“I am honored to be selected to lead Brookgreen, one of America’s great institutions. Its outstanding reputation and historical legacy have been expertly managed. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build on that success and explore the many opportunities in Brookgreen’s next chapter…” said Hayhurst Kiniry.

“Page has a successful background in museum leadership and administration,” said Bob Jewell, President and CEO. “We are fortunate to have a person with her abilities to guide Brookgreen to its next level of advancement. I am confident that with her background and experience she is uniquely qualified to lead us in the present and into the future as we carry out our future strategic direction.”

Dick Rosen, Chairman of Brookgreen’s Board of Trustees, said, “I would like to thank Bob Jewell, retiring President and CEO, for his outstanding leadership over the past 12 years and his expertise in guiding our executive search committee by successfully recruiting Page Hayhurst Kiniry. We believe that Page will continue to move Brookgreen Gardens forward in fulfilling its mission and continue to adhere to the overall standards of excellence that have been attained over the course of the institution’s history.”

The search strategy that led to the selection of Hayhurst Kiniry included timelines, milestones, key competencies, and a profile for a cultural match. Candidates were solicited through various channels; the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, the American Public Gardens Association, plus networking through personal contacts and other sources.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on US 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, SC, and open to the public daily. For more information, visit our web site at (www.brookgreen.org) or call 843/235-6000.

Artist and Creator of National Touring Exhibit “Nature Connects Art with LEGO® Bricks” to Give Talk at Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC – Aug. 6, 2016

Popular New York artist, Sean Kenney, creator of the exhibit “Nature Connects Art with LEGO Bricks” will present a talk at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, at noon. The talk is open to the public and is followed by a book signing at Keepsakes, the Brookgreen Shop. Both the talk and the exhibit, “Nature Connects”, are free with garden admission.

Sean Kenney is a renowned, award-winning artist and “professional kid” who uses LEGO pieces to design and create contemporary sculpture for high-profile clients, major corporations, and venues around the globe for over 10 years.

He has authored 8 best-selling inspirational children’s books, and his award-winning exhibit “Nature Connects” has been breaking attendance records around the world since 2012.

Created in partnership with a state university, “Nature Connects” is foremost an educational platform and secondarily a means of artistic expression.

In describing the exhibit, Kenney said, ”I hope that you can look at ‘Nature Connects’ and appreciate both nature and the sculptures as something beautiful, and I also hope you’re inspired to go home and create something wonderful yourself.”

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on US 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.

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Invites You to LEGO® Events – May 14, 2016

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, is pleased to announce two upcoming events, a new LEGO® brick sculpture building contest entitled “Build Your Own ‘Simply Amazing’ Creation” and a LEGO Robotics Day Celebration.

On May 14, 2016, from 11am – 3pm, Brookgreen Gardens First LEGO League (SCFLL), and Grand Strand Technology Council (GSTC) will host the Robotics Celebration Day. The event venue will be next to Brookgreen’s Native Wildlife Zoo. Participants can discover how to become involved in a First LEGO League team and how to improve their FIRST LEGO League Team.  They also will be able to start on next season’s “Animal Allies” research project. Guests can connect with other teams in the Working Together sessions that are part of the Core Value activities. Guests and team members will engage in a wide range of other activities, including visiting the new exhibit “Nature Connects Art with LEGO Bricks.” All the events are free with garden admission.

From Monday, May 30 – Friday, June 3, all LEGO fans are invited to initiate participation in a sculpture building contest entitled “Build Your Own ‘Simply Amazing’ Creation.” To enter the contest, participants need to visit http://www.brookgreen.org to download the complete rules. All sculptures must be made from LEGO bricks and be submitted via Facebook or Instagram with the appropriate hashtags. Semi-finalists will be selected in three categories of age groups from online posts of photographs.  Sculptures of semi-finalists will be displayed at Brookgreen Gardens from June 11-August 27, and three winners will be selected by popular vote.

“We are proud to partner with SCFLL and GSTC to host the Robotics Celebration and to offer the “Build Your Own ‘Simply Amazing’ Showcase” as part of the activities for “Nature Connects Art with LEGO Bricks” said Helen Benso, Vice-President for Marketing. “This award-winning exhibit, created by New York artist, Sean Kenney, is included in gardens admission and on display daily through September 5 in Brookgreen’s Native Wildlife Zoo.”

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.

Noted Sculptor, Lawrence Noble, to Speak at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC – Apr. 17, 2016

On Apr. 17, 2016, the public is invite to hear Lawrence Noble give a talk about his creation the 2016 medal entitled “Cicada Days, Firefly Nights.” His talk is in the Welcome Center Conference Room at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, at 4:30pm and is free with garden admission.

This year’s medal is especially beautiful and with the new release of the current “Star Wars” movie, Lawrence Noble is an exciting person to meet. He has worked for George Lucas (both sculpture and graphic design) and recently won a major award from the National Sculpture Society for his sculpture at Lucas Films Headquarters on the grounds of The Presidio in San Francisco, CA.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on US 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.

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Receives Tripadvisor 2015 Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame Award

In celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Certificate of Excellence Award, Tripadvisor announced another category, the Hall of Fame Award just for businesses that have received a Certificate of Excellence all five years and Brookgreen Gardens was one of the recipients.

“We’re pleased to celebrate Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence’s 5-year anniversary, we’re even more excited to have been honored with the Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame award,” said Bob Jewell, President and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our staff and volunteers who made this award possible by providing an excellent guest experience every day.”

“By putting a spotlight on businesses that are focused on delivering great service to customers, TripAdvisor gives businesses both large and small the ability to shine and stand out from the competition,” Marc Charron, President of TripAdvisor for Business, stated about the award. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 340 million unique monthly visitors, and more than 225 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.9 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide.

Brookgreen Gardens is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and display figurative sculpture by American artists, regional plants, animals, and history. It is located on US 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

For further info visit (www.brookgreen.org).

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Receives Conservation Gran

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, is one of the 30 institutions in the country to be awarded the “Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium” grants by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The $5,000 grant will fund the expansion of the new “Children’s Nature & Sensory Trail” that opened earlier this year. Supported through a special gift from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, these competitive grants, selected through a rigorous review by a panel of industry experts, are presented to accredited zoos and aquariums to encourage family nature play and conservation education.

“We were extremely pleased to receive the grant which will enable us to expand the Children’s Sensory and Nature Trail,” said Bob Jewell, President and CEO at Brookgreen Gardens. “The new Trail supports our mission to build a connection and a deep appreciation of the natural world.

“Accredited zoos and aquariums are one of the first places families experience nature together,” said Jim Maddy, President and CEO of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Research has shown that free play immersed in an outdoor setting is fundamental to connecting children with the natural world around them. The value of these experiences is further reinforced when shared as a family unit. The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund awards of $5,000 or $10,000 were made available to extend existing family-based nature play programming or to create new, innovative, and engaging programs.

A total of 30 grant recipients were selected to receive more than $200,000 in awards. They include (institution, project/program):

Adventure Aquarium, “Family Fun at the River”

Audubon Nature Institute (Audubon Zoo), “Audubon Celebrates the Wonder of Nature Play”

Brevard Zoo, “Family Nature Stations”

Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society, “Bronx Zoo Nature Club”

Buffalo Zoo, “Nature Play Begins in the Niagara Frontier”

The Butterfly House, “Nature T.R.E.K.”

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, “Sprouts and Seedlings Children’s Garden”

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, “Zoo Nature Club”

CuriOdyssey, “Stewards from All Settings”

Dallas Zoo, “Wild FUN (Families United in Nature)”

Detroit Zoological Society, “Zoo Tots Outside”

Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History, “Great Plains Zoo Nature Club for Families”

Greenville Zoo, “Get Outdoors Greenville”

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, “Kids’N’Snow”

Lee Richardson Zoo, “Developing Children ‘Naturally’”

The Living Desert, “Me and You at the Gardens”

Minnesota Zoo, “Hanifl Family Wild Woods Nature Play Program Pilot”

Mystic Aquarium, “Family Nature Club in Connecticut”

Peoria Zoo, “Peoria Zoo Natural Play Area”

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, “Families Untamed: Zoo Nature Club”

Prospect Park Zoo, “Nature Play Time!”

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, “Backpack to Nature”

Roger Williams Park Zoo, “Nature Play in “Our Big Backyard” and Beyond”

San Antonio Zoo, “San Antonio Family Nature Club”

Sedgwick County Zoo, “Sedgwick County Zoo’s Get into Nature Program”

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, “Home Learner Partnership Program”

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, “Nurturing Naturalists: Helping Families Take a Walk on the “Wild Side””

Western North Carolina Nature Center, “Nature Play at the WNC Nature Center”

Zoo Miami / Zoological Society of Florida, “ZooNature Family Adventures”

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

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

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, Hosts 83rd Anniversary Talk – July 13, 2014

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, is please to offer an 83rd Anniversary Talk on Sunday, July 13, 2014, at 3pm. Entitled “Glimpses of the Past: Stories of Brookgreen Gardens”, guests will hear about many stories that comprise the history of the land, people, and collections of Brookgreen Gardens. Vice-President of Art and Historical Collections and Curator of Sculpture, Robin Salmon will reveal some of these stories in honor of the gardens’ 83rd Anniversary. The talk is free with garden admission and will be held in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. Light refreshments will be served.

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.