Artwork in the Gardens | Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
From Art in the Gardens to a Lasting Collection
Many of the artworks featured here began as part of the Art in the Gardens program, a multi-year initiative that invited artists from across North Carolina
to temporarily display their work throughout the Gardens. Each year, the Sandhills
Horticultural Gardens Society (SHGS) sought to acquire one of these pieces, gradually
building a permanent collection that reflects both artistic excellence and a deep
connection to the landscape.
There is a space in the circle meant to be filled by a live person—inviting every visitor to become part of the artwork. — Circle of Peace, Gary Price
Today, this growing collection of sculptures is woven throughout the Gardens, offering
moments of surprise, reflection, and delight along winding paths and open lawns. From
playful, interactive works that invite participation to quiet memorials that encourage
pause and contemplation, each installation has been thoughtfully placed to complement
its surroundings. Together, these pieces celebrate nature, community, and the individuals
whose vision and generosity continue to shape the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens.
Current Installations
Circle of Peace
Artist: Gary Price
This playful sculpture of girls and boys holding hands in a circle on the front lawn around the pollinator garden welcomes you to the Gardens. The figures depict the 7 continents and there is a space between two of the figures that can be filled in by a live person to complete the circle. It was commissioned by the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens Society to honor Fred Garrett, the first Director of the Landscape Gardening Program and the Gardens, upon his retirement. This is a great photo opportunity and a fun feature for all ages.
Ciao Bella
Artist: Mike Roig
A beautiful interpretation of a Japanese Maple tree that will grab your attention as you walk out the back door of the Ball Garden Visitors Center. This work was commissioned by the SHGS to honor Jim Westmen, a professor in the Landscape Gardening Program and previous Garden Director, upon his retirement.
There is also a lovely significance to the title of this work. The artist lost his mother just a week before he completed it. Her middle name was Bella, so he wanted to work that into the title. The simple Italian expression of Ciao Bella, seemed appropriate for the many ways the sculpture spoke to him personally, and to honor Jim’s retirement from the garden. “Ciao” means both hello and good-bye in Italian, so to his mother and to Jim, it says “Farewell beautiful.” And to the way many people with no backstory may react when encountering this piece to say, “Hello beautiful tree.”
The Dog Ate My Homework
Artist: Randolph Rose
A bronze statue with girl and dog on a bench sits under the Autumnalis Cherry tree at the stone patio in the Hoad Children’s Garden. It was commissioned by the SHGS to honor Dee Johnson upon her retirement as Coordinator of the Landscape Gardening Program and Director of the Gardens.
Kim
Artist: Gary Price
The statue of a boy holding a bird is just over the wooden bridge between the Hoad Children’s Garden and Hackley Woodland Garden. It was made in honor of Zig Zieglar’s son, Kim. Zig was the first treasurer of the SHGS and a past executive for AT&T whose business skills helped significantly to get the Society on its way.
Sara
Artist: Gary Price
This bronze, life-size statue of a young girl holding a watering can is the centerpiece of the Sara Tarrant Memorial Wayside. She is surrounded by large, flat, “sit on” blue slate stones that invite you to take a respite and pause for a moment, whether it’s to actually sit down for a moment or just enjoy the scene. This memorial is dedicated to the memory of Sara Tarrant, who served as the initial Chairman of the SHGS Board of Directors. The stones surrounding this statue were donated by the mother of a former student who died very young.
Giant Insect
Artist: Gary Price
The statue of a boy holding a bird is just over the wooden bridge between the Hoad Children’s Garden and Hackley Woodland Garden. It was made in honor of Zig Zieglar’s son, Kim. Zig was the first treasurer of the SHGS and a past executive for AT&T whose business skills helped significantly to get the Society on its way.
Sleep
Artist: Unknown
A large carved stone head rests peacefully in the Margaret Ambrose Japanese Garden. This work use to be in the Hackley Woodland Garden, but with renovations and changes there, it was moved to its new location in the fall of 2024. Unfortunately, we do not know the artist. It was another piece that was purchased by the SHGS after a past Art in the Garden event.
Karen
Artist: Gary Price
This joyful statue of a girl stepping towards the stream in the Atkins Hillside Garden is just outside the Succulent Garden, under the large Gingko tree. She is surrounded by a diversity of plants all year round, with a blanket of yellow leaves from the Gingko brightening up her Autumn days. Another loving donation by Zig Zigler to honor his daughter, Karen.
Bronze Plaques
Artist: Danila Devins
Located in the Ceremonial Courtyard of the Sir Walter Raleigh Garden are five bronze plaques adorning the drip fountain at the back. In the middle is a plaque of the head of Sir Walter Raleigh. The other plaques, two on either side of the fountain, depict the four different seasons of the year. They were all done by a local artist, Danila Devins who was born in Florence, Italy. She was an avid fox hunter and was very active with the Moore County Hounds. She was a well-known artist and was best known for her fox hunt scenes and animal portraits. Her work can be seen all over the Sandhills area. These plaques were commissioned by the SHGS.
Dragon Tail
Artist: Jim Gaither
This unique celestial piece can be found near the over-sized wooden chairs at the back of the Conifer Garden. It was donated by a local artist from Sanford, NC in the fall of 2024. We have since then added some plantings around it to complete the space it's in and keep folks from getting too close to its sharp edges.
Red Oak
Artist: Eric Bruton
At the front entrance of the Conifer Garden, behind Steed Hall is this bright, textured sculpture by another North Carolina artist. Eric was one of the participants in a past Art in the Gardens event and this piece was chosen by the SHGS to purchase after the event.
Axis of Agape
Artist: Mike Roig
A piece with moving parts that catches the wind like a giant mobile stands steady in front of Steed Hall on the main SCC campus. It is one of the pieces the SHGS purchased as part of the Art in the Garden Program many years ago. This piece was previously on display in the side lawn of the Ball Garden Visitors Center but was recently moved to protect it from curious hands.
Past Installations
What Goes Around Comes Around (2021-2024)
Artist: Patrick Dougherty
The stick art sculpture that was behind the Visitors Center from 2021-2024 was funded by generous donations from SHS members and others in our community. It was designed, created, and built by artist Patrick Dougherty along with help from his son, Sam, and about 30 volunteers over a 3-week period.
It got worn and torn much more quickly than hoped and was taken down in the Spring of 2024 due to safety concerns, as it was tilting over on the back side and could have fallen on someone. There is a framed photo of it, along with the list of donors below it, just inside the back door of the Visitors Center to the left. Learn more about the artist and the project.