Math in Bloom

Add a little sparkle to your morning as we kick off the day with Math and Mimosas. Join us in the gardens for a lively conversation on garden designs and how math concepts result in their awe-inspiring beauty. Enjoy a nature stroll while exploring the gardens on a specially designed 3.14K walking path around Cheekwood. On your way, discover interpretive hanging frames and installations highlighting optical illusions, perspective, and patterns. Don’t miss Cheekwood’s Living Wall, where math will literally come to life through a Golden Ratio photo op created from annuals.

Local mathematicians will help bring the concepts to life in the gardens. Leaning into the spirit of a grown-up math fair, interactive booths offer activities with two levels of complexity—one for adults and one for younger audiences.

Adults can also participate in mathematically inspired art workshops and garden-focused classes hosted by The Cheekwood Gardening School. Topics include flower-pressed mosaics, floral design, and garden planting design.

The Math in Bloom celebration invites everyone to Cheekwood to experience nature and art through a new lens.

Schedule of Events

9:30 – 11:30 AM | Math & Mimosas | Massey Auditorium
10 AM – 2 PM | Math Fair | Arboretum Lawn
10 AM – 2 PM | 3.14-kilometer Pi Path | Cheekwood Grounds
10 AM – 2 PM | Fibonacci Frames | Triangle in front of Mansion, Color Garden, Howe Garden
10 AM – 2 PM | Golden Ratio Living Wall
10 AM – 3 PM | Food Vendors Open | Lot B
12 – 2 PM | Performance by John England | Herb Garden Amphitheater

Activities

Math & Mimosas

Enjoy a mimosa and a lively conversation with Todd Lasseigne, Executive Director of Bellingrath Gardens & Home as he discusses math behind plants, covering topics ranging from the golden ratio to plant metabolic rates. Math needn’t be boring and theoretical, but rather an intrinsic science that is interlinked to virtually all aspects of plant growth and development.

Math Fair

Uncover mathematical concepts hidden in the world around you! Enjoy an outdoor adventure on Arboretum Lawn and visit five stations featuring hands-on activities based on pi, symmetry, infinity, graph theory, and the golden ratio.

Pi Path

Take a stroll through Cheekwood’s gardens on the perfectly calculated 3.14-kilometer nature walk and celebrate Pi Day with every step.

Fibonacci Frames

Discover three special Golden Ratio hanging frames placed in the gardens spotlighting the mathematical concepts, infinity, tiling, symmetry, and pattern.

Golden Ratio Living Wall

Don’t miss Cheekwood’s Golden Ratio Living Wall, where math literally comes to life through a Golden Ratio photo op created from succulents.

The Nashville Number System Performance with John England and Jim Hayden

The Nashville Number System is > X, where X represents the sum of its parts. The parts are guitarist/singer John England, and keyboardist/singer Jim Hayden. John has been in Nashville for 22+7 years, while Jim didn’t get here until MMIV. They’ll be playing & singing popular numbers in the garden from 12 until 2 on Pi Day, 3.14.26.