Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Brookgreen Gardens turns 80

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Brookgreen Gardens Celebrates 80th Anniversary
Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell Inlet, SC, celebrates the 80th anniversary of its founding by adding new special events and a new “walking program” for health conscious visitors. The walking program includes a map and guide with a menu of four walks that range from a quick 15-minute “Zoo Strut” to a 2.7 mile “Beyond the Garden Stroll”. The maps and guides are available in the Welcome Center and are free with garden admission.

Other 80th Anniversary events this spring include a butterfly talk at 1 p.m., Friday April 1, in the Wall Lowcountry Center and a talk on Saturday, April 2 at 1 p.m. in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium by sculptor-in-residence Greg Wyatt, one of Brookgreen’s 2011 Master Sculptors. On April 16, the sculptor Simon Kogan, who created the 2011 Brookgreen 80th Anniversary Medal, will give a talk at 5:00 in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. The lectures are free with garden admission.

For a complete listing of the 80th Anniversary special events visit www.brookgreen.org.

Things to do in South Carolina – August 2010

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August is the hot month, but even so most of us enjoy going to the beach, grilling out, and spending time outdoors. There is no shortage of


Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach in August

live music event, festivals and happenings going on during the month of August.  Here are a few tips for fun things to do in August in South Carolina.

There’s a Tobacco Heritage Festival this month.  At this event you can experience the rural heritage of Horry County through demonstrations of traditional farming techniques such as hand stringing and tying tobacco. There are also children’s activities, live entertainment and more.

The Tobacco Festival takes place Horry County Museum’s Living History Farm in Conway, SC on August 7, 2010, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Call 843-915-5320 for more information or visit the Museum’s website.

Folly Beach Fishing Pier

Southern Fried Reggae

Enjoy live reggae music in the Charleston area parks this summer. There are two reggae concerts in the Reggae Nights series taking place in the month of August. The first Reggae Nights concert takes place in Wannamaker Park where Mystic Vibrations is performing live on August 7, 2010. The second concert of the month is at James Island County Park where Jah Works performs on August 21. For more information, visit our special events page to find out more about Live Reggae Music in Charleston

Speaking of live music,  you can enjoy live music, the ocean breeze and the stars above while you  dance the night away on Folly Beach Fishing Pier on August 13.  Read more about this event here – Moonlight Mixers on Folly Beach Pier.

Sometimes the heat in August can be a bit much, and it’s nice to cool off inside in the a/c.

The Craftsmen's Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival

Handmade & Unique

The Craftsmen’s Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC, will allow you to do just that. This festival features work from hundreds of talented artists and craftspeople from across America.  You get an opportunity to close up see how it’s all done as many exhibitors demonstrate throughout the weekend.  This event takes place at Myrtle Beach Convention Center August 6-8, 2010. Visit the event website for more information.

(Click here to get a printable coupon for $1:00 off at the door!)

If you like to shop and find bargains, you have an opportunity to go bargain hunting indoors at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center during the Largest Garage Sale taking place on August 14, 2010.

LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze
LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze

Shop, Shag & Sculpture

If you’re serious about your shopping and finding the best deals, this event opens already at 7 a.m. in the morning.  Check out our special events page for The Largest Garage Sale in South Carolina for details.

Take your sweetheart by the arm and head out to  the pier in Mount Pleasant for a night of music and dancing. On August 28 Shem Creek Boogie Band is performing. Get more details on our special events page for Shaggin’ on the Cooper

Check out some of the incredible sculptures on exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens this month. The National Sculpture Society’s popular Annual Awards Exhibition opens on August 7, 2010, at Brookgreen Gardens. Here you can see every type of sculpture from traditional to out of this world.
Click here to read more about the Awards Exhibition at Brookgreen Gardens

In Hilton Head, don’t forget to check out HarbourFest, one of the most popular events in the area.  HarbourFest offers live entertainment every night of the week, and there’s even fireworks every Tuesday until August 10, so don’t miss out.  For the complete schedule, visit our special events page for HarbourFest Hilton Head Island, SC

Sculpture Awards Exhibition at Brookgreen Gardens

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LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze
LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze

The Annual Awards Exhibition is the National Sculpture Society’s most popular exhibition – and no wonder. The sculptures on display range from the traditional to the otherworldly, and include everything from portrait busts and figures, to animals, both domestic and wild. Almost 200 artists applied to the competition which offers thousands of dollars in cash prizes.

The exhibit opens on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Brookgreen Gardens. The juried show features the figurative works of 48 members. The show will be exhibited exclusively on the grounds of the historic gardens located on Pawleys Island, where it will be on display through October 31.

Fellows (FNSS), Elected Members (NSS), and Associates comprise the levels of sculptor membership of the organization, which is international in scope and appeal. National Sculpture Society and its members are dedicated to the creation and showcasing of art that is inspired by nature.

John Svenson :: White Pine Owl Wood
WHITE PINE OWL by John Svenson , Wood

National Sculpture Society was founded in New York City in 1893 by a group of America’s most prominent sculptors. Its members have created much of this country’s public sculpture, coins, and medals since the late 1800s. It is the oldest organization of professional sculptors in the United States, and has been hosting exhibitions for over a century.

Sculptors featured in the exhibition include: Seth Alexander; Béla Bácsi, FNSS; Tammy Bality, Richard Becker; Richard Blake, FNSS; Marlys Boddy; Paige Bradley, NSS; Kate Brockman; Mary Buckman; Aldo Casanova, FNSS; Jiwoong Cheh; Tim Cherry, FNSS; Bob Coffee; John Coleman, FNSS; Jane DeDecker, FNSS; Mick Doellinger; Deon Duncan;
Clay Enoch; Edward Fleming; Steven Flom; Gail Folwell;
Jay F. Goldstein; Ingo Heinrich-Appel; Amy Kann, NSS; Robert Kelly; Stephen Layne; Matthew Lewis; Richard A. Moore, III; Dora Natella, NSS; Leo E. Osborne, NSS; Pokey Park; Louise Peterson, FNSS; Tom Player; Alan Proctor; Jim Rennert, NSS; Paul Rhymer; David Rogers;
Rosetta, FNSS; Wayne Salge; Stefan Savides; Sandy Scott, NSS; Tim Shinabarger, FNSS; John Svenson, FNSS; Melinda Whitmore; Ellen Woodbury; Steve Worthington; Gary Yarrington; and Rod Zullo, NSS.

The 77th Annual Awards Exhibition is open daily to the public, 9:30 AM
to 5:00 PM, and is free with regular admission to the Gardens. A catalogue of the show will be made available for purchase at the Brookgreen Gardens gift shop. For more information about National Sculpture Society or this exhibition, please visit www.nationalsculpture.org or www.brookgreens.com.

OCTOHANDY by Richard Moore, III - Bronze
OCTOHANDY by Richard Moore, III - Bronze

Black History Month at Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina

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Brookgreen Celebrates Black History Month

Murrells Inlet, SC- In observance of Black History Month, Brookgreen Gardens will present two program opportunities that are free with garden admission.

On Saturday, February 13, at 1:00 p.m., The Healing Force, a four-member performance troupe from Winston-Salem, NC, offers a lively celebration of Africa with stories and songs, in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. The program is free with garden admission. A special cultural menu in the Pavilion Restaurant will be offered the day of the performance.

On Wednesday, February 17 and 24, Ron Daise, Brookgreen’s Vice President for Creative Education, will present a program of selected readings, songs and photographs from his book Gullah Branches, West African Roots at 1 p.m. in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. This participatory presentation tells about the journey of enslaved Africans to Gullah communities and culture. The program is free with garden admission.

Please Note: 2010 admission prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 and up), $6 for children (4-12) and free for children three and under.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Myrtle Beach 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.