sculpture in the garden

Sculpture in the Garden is an outdoor exhibit of three-dimensional artwork that takes place on the grounds of the North Carolina Botanical Garden each fall. This year’s show will run from Sunday, September 13 through Sunday, December 6. It will be free and open to the public during normal Garden hours.

Through Sculpture in the Garden, we invite visitors to consider the relationship between art and nature. We aim to create a show that will appeal to – and be appropriate for – people of all ages and backgrounds. This includes works in a wide variety of media and sizes, by a diverse group of artists, with interpretation provided by the artist that will help visitors appreciate the art, whether they have a long interest in art or whether it’s their first time at a sculpture show. Ultimately, we hope visitors will walk away with renewed interest in both art and nature. 

Located off Fordham Boulevard in Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) is a center for the study, display, and conservation of southeastern native plants and natural areas. Ten fenced acres of display and habitat gardens surrounding the LEED Platinum certified Allen Education Center provide a number of distinct environments for sculpture. Our mission is to cultivate connections between plants, people, and place through science, engagement, and conservation.

Each sculpture in the exhibit is assigned a number, and visitors use a map and guide and numbered interpretive signs by each sculpture to take a self-guided tour.