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Cheekwood in Bloom 2023. Photo by Caitlin Harris.
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Cheekwood in Bloom 2022. Courtesy of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.
Cheekwood in Bloom 2022
As warmer days are headed our way, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens invites visitors to stop and smell the roses at the 12th annual seasonal festival, Cheekwood in Bloom.
Running March 9 through April 14, this year’s theme, Belle Fleurs, brings impressions of France to life throughout Cheekwood’s expansive gardens and estate. New this spring is the inaugural Masterpiece Art Series, which exhibits a single masterpiece from world-renowned artists. A rare loan from the Marlene and Spencer Hays collection, this year’s exhibition features the internationally recognizable bronze study for the Little Dancer sculpture by Edgar Degas, Etude de nu pour la danseuse habillée. Alongside the Masterpiece Art Series, Cheekwood also presents a traveling art series titled Edgar Degas, The Private Impressionist: Works on Paper by the Artist and His Circle. The exhibit showcases Degas’ observations of human nature through his paper drawings, photographs, prints, monotypes, and a private letter. More than 40 additional works of art on paper by other well-known artists, many of whom were friends of Degas, will also be displayed as part of the exhibit. Both exhibitions open on March 9 and will be on view through June 16.
Guests can hone their own artistry while admiring Degas’ work on March 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the mansion and museum, with the opportunity to draw their own figure using both sculpture and a live model for reference. All drawing materials will be provided, along with plenty of inspiration to be found throughout Cheekwood.
Outside in the gardens, bask in the beauty of the season with 250,000 blooming tulips, daffodils, violas, hyacinths, and other varietal bulbs in stunning pastel shades spanning the botanical garden and arboretum’s 55 acres. In the spirit of this year’s Belle Fleur theme, the French influence continues outdoors with nods to the signature designs and features of traditional parterre gardens, including scrollwork hedges and clipped vertical shrubs. Guests can even experience a little magic of Paris with Cheekwood’s own mini Eiffel Tower.
Along with plenty of sights, French sounds will also fill the air during Cheekwood in Bloom. To kick off the festival’s opening weekend, the Frist Learning Center Great Hall will transform into a French Cabaret featuring acoustic music on Saturday and a vocal trio on Sunday. And on March 10, Cheekwood’s Beer Garden becomes Le Jardin de Biere, where you can gather and enjoy French music in the open air with French food and wine available to make for a perfectly paired afternoon. Saturday Sounds and Sunday Jazz series will also continue throughout Cheekwood in Bloom featuring various talent.
On April 13, get a taste of French cuisine with a pop-up from Little Gourmand, serving up authentic French pastries and more. And learn from the best at the French Cheese 101 class or a French Wines 101 class, sampling the best wines France has to offer under the guidance of a trained sommelier.
Cheekwood offers plenty of fun for kids this season, too, with the return of TOTS! starting March 9 in the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden. Bring the little ones to enjoy hands-on activities and story times Tuesday through Saturday. Turtle Talks is a favorite activity among audiences, where kids can feed the turtles while a member of the garden staff answers questions about their shelled friends. Each week’s theme is inspired by current exhibitions or seasonal festivals, encouraging exploration of art and the natural world.
With so much to see and experience, there is something for everyone to discover at this spectacular spring tradition. Cheekwood is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the festival, and tickets can be purchased online. (1200 Forrest Park Dr., 615-356-8000; cheekwood.org)