Rainey Sculpture Pavilion
The 2017 Holiday Exhibits – Holiday Memories: Winter Reminiscences in the Jennewein Gallery and Lowcountry Legacy in the Noble Gallery
Holiday Memories: Winter Reminiscences builds upon previous displays of electric model trains, period Christmas trees and toys, and other holiday nostalgia from the Postbellum to the 1960s. New in 2017 is the 1869 Transcontinental Railroad, an important milestone in American history and the Huntington family, founders of Brookgreen Gardens. An expanded display of The Polar Express returns as does the collection of model trains that have become an integral part of the exhibit including Lionel, American Flyer, and Bachmann trains (HO, O, O27, S) inside the gallery and G-scale trains outdoors. A full amusement park in miniature features miniature golf, three roller coasters, and a sleek monorail.
“Snow Village” anchors the rear of the gallery with snow-covered mountain slopes, valley, and ski lift. Period Christmas trees display authentic ornaments, lights, and toys from the 1930s-40s and the 1950s-60s. In conjunction with the Transcontinental Railroad, the front alcoves feature the Collis Huntington Parlor, c. 1870, and the Archer Huntington Study, c. 1900, with period furnishings on loan from Theodosia’s Antiques. Paintings of winter scenes and other subjects by nationally known artist Glenn Harrington ornament the gallery. The antiques and paintings are available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Brookgreen Sculpture Fund. All of the landscapes and sets (trains and amusement park) were designed, fabricated, and installed by Collections staff.
Lowcountry Legacy features the work of regional artists from the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Association celebrating Gullah Geechee culture in the form of paintings, sweetgrass baskets, dolls, quilts, and the maritime heritage of the area. Another feature is the beautiful display of free-form glass designed and hand-blown by Conway Glass. This amazing display is not to be missed! The exhibit is designed and installed by horticulture staff and volunteers.
Both of the exhibits are on view November 24, 2017 through January 1, 2018, in the Rainey Sculpture Pavilion.