Cheekwood offers a unique environment in which to experience outdoor contemporary sculpture. The permanent collection features a diverse range of artworks—many commissioned specifically for the institution—created by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists from Germany, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and installed across the institution’s 55-acre estate.
Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail
In 2019, The Ann & Monroe Carell Foundation supported a major improvement project as well as establishing an endowment to ensure the lasting preservation and enjoyment of The Carell Trail at Cheekwood. New features include an upgraded entrance, updated wayfinding and signage, and enhanced horticulture. Lighting has been added to the Hickory Loop, which is now fully paved, making this portion of The Carell Trail accessible for all, even after dusk. All sculptures have been restored, and visitors can now more easily access James Turrell’s Skyspace by way of the new Susan & Luke Simons Blue Pesher Promenade.
The Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail was established in 1999 through the generosity of Ann and Monroe Carell Jr., and features ten works on a 1.5-mile woodland path, a setting not commonly found at museums or sculpture parks in the United States. Though modelled after venues for outdoor sculpture in England like the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, from the very beginning the intention was to exhibit works that responded to Cheekwood’s distinctive natural setting and offer a unique opportunity in which to experience outdoor sculpture. The Carell Trail features a diverse range of sculptures, created by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists from Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These works, many of which were commissioned for Cheekwood, each examine the relationship between art and nature in their own distinct way, creating beautiful, thoughtful dialogues with the surrounding landscape.
The Carell Trail features a diverse range of sculptures, created by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists. These works, many of which were commissioned for Cheekwood, examine the relationship between art and nature in their own distinct way, creating beautiful, thoughtful dialogues with the surrounding landscape.
Experience the feeling of being guided through a woodland path by our curators and hosts with our 30-minute audio tour.
Audio tours are free and available on-site at Visitor Services.
Guidelines
In order to preserve Cheekwood’s collection for future generations, touching and climbing on all outdoor sculpture is prohibited. While some works encourage physical interaction—entering, walking through, or even sitting on—natural oils, even those from clean hands, can damage the surfaces of sculptures. Please refer to the signage near each work for further guidelines.
The Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail is a wooded landscape with hills. The Hickory Loop is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The Cedar Loop is mulched and has uneven terrain. Please use caution and stay on the designated paths. For emergency assistance, call 615-354-6386.
The information about the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail and the outdoor sculptures on view at Cheekwood found on this website can also be accessed by using your smart phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the sign near each work or by renting the Cheekwood Audio Tour, available at Visitor Services.
Visitors are welcome to take personal photographs of outdoor sculpture, unless otherwise noted. Please note, use of flash, tripods, selfie sticks, and drones are not permitted. Share your photos using #CheekwoodSculpture!
Sculptures
- Jenny Holzer, Survival Series: In a Dream You Saw a Way…, 1997*
- Frank Fleming, Gathering of Animals, 1997-98*
- Siah Armajani, The Glass Bridge for Nashville, 2003*
- Doug Hollis, High-back Windharp Chairs, 1987*
- Tom Czarnopys, Girdled Figure, 1989 (cast 1997) *
- Sophie Ryder, Crawling Lady Hare, 1997*
- Alicja Kwade, Pars pro Toto, 2020*
- Virginia Overton, Untitled (4×8 view), 2022*
- Ian Hamilton Finlay, The Present Order (in Italian), 1988*
- Ulrich Rückriem, Untitled, 1993*
- John T. Scott, Tree Poem, 1998*
- James Turrell, Blue Pesher, 1997-99*
- Eric Orr, Cheekwood Prime Matter, 1997-98
- George Rickey, One Line Horizontal Floating, 1994
- Fletcher Benton, Folded Circle/Ring, 1998
- Guy Dill, Mohammed’s Circle (also known as M Circle), 1996
- Jaume Plensa, Silent Music II, 2013
Gardens
- Trillium Trove*
- Wild Tennessee*
- Julie & Bob Gordon Stream Garden*
- Woodland Edge*
- Cedar Glade*
- Limestone Quarry*
*On The Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail
Bolded works were commissioned for/ by Cheekwood
Images in this section are published for educational use under the umbrella of the Fair Use doctrine. Every reasonable attempt has been made to ensure the credit and caption information supplied is accurately listed.