NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Escape the winter chill with the help of a tropical paradise and a new art exhibition inside the Historic Mansion at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.
A showstopping floral display will be presented in conjunction with orchid-themed adult education classes. Also, a new art exhibition brings to life a novel by a Nashville author, and a special event will allow guests to delve deeper into the inspiration behind the story. The events kick off an exciting year of programming at Cheekwood.
Orchids in the Mansion
January 25, 2025 – March 16, 2025
Step into an elegant mini world of towering orchid displays cascading with color throughout the Cheekwood Historic Mansion. In its seventh year, Orchids in the Mansion has become a winter tradition. Sweeps of orchids and greenery adorn the winding foyer staircase and continue into the period rooms, culminating in an immersive floor-to-ceiling installation throughout the Loggia.
This year’s design uses doorways and panels in a line to create a suite of rooms overflowing with purple, white, orange, peachy yellow, and soft pink orchid varieties. The overall effect is not only a visual delight but a testament to the incredible complexity of these remarkable flowers.
“The orchid show has become an annual exploration in ways to create that ‘room within a room’ and fill it with orchids in the Loggia,” said Cheekwood Vice President of Gardens and Facilities Peter Grimaldi. “I am really looking forward to the upcoming show as it divides the space in a bold way to create a truly immersive experience.”
Tickets are on sale now and can be reserved at cheekwood.org/.
The Cheekwood Gardening School Orchid-Themed Classes
Explore the fascinating world of orchids this winter with an array of classes. From essential care tips to conservation practices, learn to grow, identify, and protect these beautiful flowers.
Orchid 101
Saturday, January 25 | 9:30 a.m.
Instructor: Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood Vice President of Gardens and Facilities
In this class, you will learn the essential care, cultivation, and identification techniques to get a handle on the world of orchids and help your stunning plants thrive.
Orchid 201
Saturday, February 8 | 9:30 a.m.
Instructors: Mike Rollinger, President of the Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee, and John Cranshaw, Trustee at the Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee.
Building on the Orchid 101 class, deepen your knowledge by exploring advanced techniques in propagation, pest management, and rare species cultivation for dedicated orchid enthusiasts.
Orchid Repotting Techniques
Saturday, February 15 | 9:30 a.m.
Instructor: Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood Vice President of Gardens and Facilities
Ensure your orchids stay healthy and vibrant in new containers with this class focused specifically on repotting these delicate plants.
Orchid Conservation Practices
Saturday, February 15 | 12 p.m.
Instructor: John Cranshaw, Trustee at the Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee
A deep dive into the world of rare and endangered orchids. Learn what you can do to protect these beautiful flowers.
Cheekwood Gardening School classes are open to participants 18 years old and older. Register for all classes at cheekwood.org/learn/adult-education-programs
The Cheekwood Gardening School is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.
Becky Suss: The Dutch House
January 25, 2025 – March 16, 2025
An intimate exhibition of 10 new paintings by American artist Becky Suss was inspired by author Ann Patchett’s 2019 novel, “The Dutch House,” centering on a fictional mansion in a suburb of Philadelphia.
By interpreting the literary details from Patchett’s narrative, Suss recounts memories shared by the novel’s two adult siblings as it relates to their upbringing and complex relationships within the context of their family home. Suss also incorporates her own experiences by interweaving literature and personal stories as well as researching objects and architectural details to fit within the novel’s time period.
Through her paintings, Suss brings new life to “The Dutch House,” which was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
The Dutch House is organized by ICA Chattanooga, a program of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Originating support for The Dutch House is provided by UTC College of Arts and Sciences.
In Conversation: Becky Suss, Ann Patchett, and Noah Saterstrom discuss The Dutch House
February 22, 2025 | 10 a.m. | Botanic Hall
Tickets: Reservations are required, free for members, and with admission
In this special event, artist Becky Suss will discuss the inspiration behind her exhibition The Dutch House in conjunction with Ann Patchett, author of “The Dutch House,” and Noah Saterstrom, cover artist for “The Dutch House” novel.
Tickets for both the exhibition and lecture are on sale now and can be reserved at cheekwood.org/.
About Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55-acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden, in 2024 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood is located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended days and hours of operation depending on the season. Visit cheekwood.org for current hours and to purchase advance tickets required for admission
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