Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Upstate photographer and artist Bryan Hiott says his upcoming exhibition, “Through an Ancient Lens: Photographs and Abstractions from the Wet Plate Collodion Process,” is a “dialogue” between the rendered photographic images and the materials of the medium he uses. The exhibition will be May 2 through June 24 in the Solomon Gallery of the Artist Collective | Spartanburg.

A reception will be held Thursday, May 18, as part of ArtWalk Spartanburg and an artist’s talk will be held Thursday, June 15.

“The images in this exhibition explore the beautiful tonality of wet plate collodion photography as well as the accidents that may occur with this chemical process,” says Hiott, a graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg who also received an MFA in photography and digital media from Parsons School of Design. “Certain images display surface imperfections that nonetheless become interesting aspects of the collodion aesthetic. These images, bearing evidence of physical handling, are unique and cannot be repeated.”

Explore Biltmore House with an Audio Guide that introduces you to the Vanderbilt family and their magnificent home’s history, architecture, and collections of fine art and furnishings.

PLUS: Immersive, multi-sensory Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition created by Grande Experiences

PLUS: FREE next-day access to Biltmore’s Gardens and Grounds

This visit includes access to:

• Italian Renaissance Alive at Amherst at Deerpark®
• 8,000 Acres of Gardens and Grounds for two consecutive days
• Antler Hill Village & Winery
• Complimentary Wine Tastings at the Winery
• Tastings require a Day-of-Visit Reservation, which can be made by:
  • Scanning the QR Code found in your Estate Guide
  • Visiting any Guest Services location
• Complimentary parking

Art Exhibition: Italian Renaissance Alive

This fascinating experience takes you on a spellbinding tour of Italy, fully immersing you in the beauty and brilliance of iconic masterworks from the greatest artistic period in history

The Very Hungry Caterpillar story is about hope.  You, like the little caterpillar, will grow up, unfold your wings and fly off into the future.”

                                                                                                                                                                    –Eric Carle

Colorful adventures in literacy and STEAM learning await in the special exhibition, “Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit,” making its Southeastern United States debut at the Upcountry History Museum, Greenville, SC.

At this play-and-learn exhibit, co-organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, Massachusetts, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, visitors step into the pages of author and illustrator Eric Carle’s colorful picture books and experience them as artist and reader, while discovering and playing with five special insects from his well-known children’s books.

Carle’s classic “Very” book series, is reimagined in the 2,500 square foot exhibition. Utilizing Carle’s hand-painted tissue paper collage technique, the exhibit presents the five “Very” special insects who invite visitors to join them on their journeys of discovery.

Through interactive experiences, visitors become the “tiny and very hungry Caterpillar,” following along his iconic path. They also weave a web with the “Very Busy Spider;” find their light with the “Very Lonely Firefly;” make the “Very Clumsy Click Beetle” flip and jump; and compose a night symphony with the “Very Quiet Cricket.”

In “The Studio,” a flexible workspace, visitors are connected to the artist and his playful approach of creating illustrated book art through multiple hands-on activities. Children create their own collages using many of Eric Carle’s materials and techniques.

In the “Reading Zone” children and their caregivers explore visual literacy and reading through words, pictures and video.  Visitors are invited to listen to Eric Carle read his stories and talk about his process or read their own favorite Eric Carle story with a friend

Each of the “Very” stories are a testament to Eric Carle’s love of nature, his respect for the emotional lives of children, and his recurring themes of friendship, creativity, and the power of imagination.

The creator of more than seventy books, Eric Carle (1929-2021) combined winsome stories and lively collages that appeal to young readers and adults alike.  While Carle’s stories are charming, they’re layered with information too.  As children read his books about animals, families, nature, and fables, they also learn their colors, numbers, and letters.  Eric Carle focused on making learning accessible and fun – and in the process, he invited children to fall in love with books and reading.

Creative Ladies is a group that uses their creative minds, and a variety of materials for projects that have been featured at the Chapman Cultural Center and at the Spring Fling.

Award-winning author, photographer and filmmaker Ian Shive presents “From America’s National Parks to the National Wildlife Refuge System.” A speaker in our Grandfather Presents series, Ian has authored several award-winning books including “The National Parks: An American Legacy” (2020), which is where the evening journey will begin — with iconic locations of “America’s Best Idea” but also an exploration of what National Parks represent today and in the future of conservation. Through the lens of Ian’s work on Yellowstone National Park’s 150th anniversary, to recovery efforts on Channel Islands National Park, in California, Shive will share two decades of stories in the parks and how they compare to one of America’s other great, protected areas, the National Wildlife Refuge System. There is perhaps no other person in the world who has been to more protected areas in both the parks and refuges than Shive.

Ian is an Ansel Adams award-winning American photographer and filmmaker whose work documents some of the world’s most pristine environments and brings to the public important conservation stories from around the globe. In March 2021, Ian took audiences to a protected and remote Alaskan archipelago with the launch of his documentary, “The Last Unknown,” as well as an ASMR experience in our National Wildlife Refuge System with “Secret Islands of the Pacific,” both now streaming on Discovery+. In 2020, Ian Shive launched a digital series on Discovery Channel titled “Nature in Focus,” where he explores our planet as host and executive producer. In 2019, Ian led several expeditions to some of the world’s most remote coral atolls for the giant-screen film, “Hidden Pacific,” which he directed and produced. “Hidden Pacific” brings to life in IMAX 3D the vibrant marine national monuments at the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean — thriving ecosystems filled with colorful coral reefs, large colonies of birds and threatened species that depend on these habitats for survival.

Ian’s work has been critically acclaimed in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, CNN and countless other media. Since its inception in 2010, Ian has worked as CEO of the company he founded, Tandem Stills + Motion, Inc., a leading health, fitness and environmental media company. He is proud to be a steward of his local community’s injured and vulnerable wildlife as a member of the board at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

Follow Ian’s adventures on social media @ianshivephoto and learn more about Tandem at tandemstillsmotion.com.

Tickets
Buy tickets below beginning May 15, 2023.

“VIP” tickets include a VIP reception with the guest speaker that includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, in addition to the program and the “meet-and-greet” session after the event. Admission to the park for the day is also included.

• $60 “VIP” Adult
• $51 “VIP” Bridge Club Member

“Regular” tickets are a more cost-effective option and include only the speaker’s program and the “meet-and-greet” session after the event.

• $25 “Regular” Adult
• $20 “Regular” Bridge Club Member
• Children 12 and under admitted for free (max of four free children per purchase)

Schedule

• 8 a.m. | Park opens for the day and “VIP” ticket holders allowed access to the park
• 4:45 p.m. | “Regular” ticket holders allowed to enter the park and head to the Wilson Center for the event
• 5 – 5:30 p.m. | “VIP” Reception in one of the classrooms in the Wilson Center (VIP ticket holders only)
• 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. | Speaker Presentation in the Classroom in the Clouds
• 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Meet-and-Greet or Book Signing with Speaker
• 7:45 p.m. | Park should be clear of all Grandfather Presents guests

Uncensored expression: anyone is invited to step up to share song, music, poetry, comedy, rants & raves!

The most eclectic open mic around, in a welcoming gallery setting! 6 pm signup, perform 6:30-8:30 pm.

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Upstate photographer and artist Bryan Hiott says his upcoming exhibition, “Through an Ancient Lens: Photographs and Abstractions from the Wet Plate Collodion Process,” is a “dialogue” between the rendered photographic images and the materials of the medium he uses. The exhibition will be May 2 through June 24 in the Solomon Gallery of the Artist Collective | Spartanburg.

A reception will be held Thursday, May 18, as part of ArtWalk Spartanburg and an artist’s talk will be held Thursday, June 15.

“The images in this exhibition explore the beautiful tonality of wet plate collodion photography as well as the accidents that may occur with this chemical process,” says Hiott, a graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg who also received an MFA in photography and digital media from Parsons School of Design. “Certain images display surface imperfections that nonetheless become interesting aspects of the collodion aesthetic. These images, bearing evidence of physical handling, are unique and cannot be repeated.”

Explore Biltmore House with an Audio Guide that introduces you to the Vanderbilt family and their magnificent home’s history, architecture, and collections of fine art and furnishings.

PLUS: Immersive, multi-sensory Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition created by Grande Experiences

PLUS: FREE next-day access to Biltmore’s Gardens and Grounds

This visit includes access to:

• Italian Renaissance Alive at Amherst at Deerpark®
• 8,000 Acres of Gardens and Grounds for two consecutive days
• Antler Hill Village & Winery
• Complimentary Wine Tastings at the Winery
• Tastings require a Day-of-Visit Reservation, which can be made by:
  • Scanning the QR Code found in your Estate Guide
  • Visiting any Guest Services location
• Complimentary parking

Art Exhibition: Italian Renaissance Alive

This fascinating experience takes you on a spellbinding tour of Italy, fully immersing you in the beauty and brilliance of iconic masterworks from the greatest artistic period in history

The Very Hungry Caterpillar story is about hope.  You, like the little caterpillar, will grow up, unfold your wings and fly off into the future.”

                                                                                                                                                                    –Eric Carle

Colorful adventures in literacy and STEAM learning await in the special exhibition, “Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit,” making its Southeastern United States debut at the Upcountry History Museum, Greenville, SC.

At this play-and-learn exhibit, co-organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, Massachusetts, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, visitors step into the pages of author and illustrator Eric Carle’s colorful picture books and experience them as artist and reader, while discovering and playing with five special insects from his well-known children’s books.

Carle’s classic “Very” book series, is reimagined in the 2,500 square foot exhibition. Utilizing Carle’s hand-painted tissue paper collage technique, the exhibit presents the five “Very” special insects who invite visitors to join them on their journeys of discovery.

Through interactive experiences, visitors become the “tiny and very hungry Caterpillar,” following along his iconic path. They also weave a web with the “Very Busy Spider;” find their light with the “Very Lonely Firefly;” make the “Very Clumsy Click Beetle” flip and jump; and compose a night symphony with the “Very Quiet Cricket.”

In “The Studio,” a flexible workspace, visitors are connected to the artist and his playful approach of creating illustrated book art through multiple hands-on activities. Children create their own collages using many of Eric Carle’s materials and techniques.

In the “Reading Zone” children and their caregivers explore visual literacy and reading through words, pictures and video.  Visitors are invited to listen to Eric Carle read his stories and talk about his process or read their own favorite Eric Carle story with a friend

Each of the “Very” stories are a testament to Eric Carle’s love of nature, his respect for the emotional lives of children, and his recurring themes of friendship, creativity, and the power of imagination.

The creator of more than seventy books, Eric Carle (1929-2021) combined winsome stories and lively collages that appeal to young readers and adults alike.  While Carle’s stories are charming, they’re layered with information too.  As children read his books about animals, families, nature, and fables, they also learn their colors, numbers, and letters.  Eric Carle focused on making learning accessible and fun – and in the process, he invited children to fall in love with books and reading.

Open donation.