Cheekwood announces a year-long garden design residency with Tres Fromme of 3. Fromme Design. Based in Sanford, FL, Fromme, who collaborates with public gardens throughout the U.S., will provide critical design insight to Cheekwood as it continues to realize the first phase of its long-term master site plan, completed in 2016. Phase one of the master plan involves multiple projects, including last year’s renovation of the Frist Learning Center, and the creation of the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, currently under construction, for which Fromme served as the lead designer.
The new residency will solidify the partnership between Cheekwood and 3. Fromme Design, allowing Fromme to serve as a key player in the important future projects in Cheekwood’s master plan, including re-imagining the estate’s historic parterre garden as well as the west boutique gardens at Cheekwood, which encompasses the Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden and Wills Perennial Garden.
Fromme has an established history with Cheekwood, having developed the master plan for the garden’s famed Holiday LIGHTS! show, and seasonal garden displays, including its annual Cheekwood in Bloom festival and horticultural embellishments for outdoor artworks featured in the 2018 Cracking Art exhibition.
“Tres has played a pivotal role in helping Cheekwood fulfill its mission of offering excellence in art and horticulture, and we’re thrilled to be continuing our relationship through the new residency,” said Peter Grimaldi, vice present of gardens and facilities at Cheekwood.
Known for facilitating team-based creative group processes, Fromme works to create engaging, compelling, memorable, and multi-functional places that invest participants in the outcomes. His work creatively innovates within the diverse traditions, contexts, and functions of each project.
Fromme focuses on exploring and activating the range of possibilities for people of all ages and backgrounds in gardens. These powerful experiences spark deep involvement and learning among people, plants, animals, and specific places.
“Cheekwood’s vision of immersing people in a place of year-round beauty seamlessly integrating gardens, art, and architecture within a rich estate-era history is compelling and offers endless inspiration,” said Fromme. “The Cheekwood team and I have been collaborating for years on diverse projects, and the design residency strengthens our creative relationship and provides opportunities for further exploration of how Cheekwood evolves its legacy while engaging and delighting visitors.”
With varied experience, Fromme specializes in site design, planting design, gardens for children and learning, seasonal displays and exhibits, and holiday light shows.
Fromme founded 3.Fromme Design in 2011. Fromme led planning and design at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania from 1996-2006 and the Atlanta Botanical Garden from 2012-2016. He has a Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor’s of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Delaware.
For more information about 3.Fromme Design, visit http://www.3frommedesign.com.
About Cheekwood
Cheekwood is a 55-acre American Country Place Era estate in Nashville, Tennessee. Built in 1929 by the Cheek family who amassed their fortune through the Maxwell House Coffee business, the estate was gifted and opened as a public institution in 1960. Today, it features 12 distinct gardens, a woodland sculpture trail, an 8,000-piece permanent art collection, and Georgian-style Mansion with historically furnished rooms and galleries. Over 225,000 visitors come to Cheekwood annually for year-round seasonal festivals, world-class art exhibitions, breathtaking gardens, and educational and public programs for all ages. A member of the American Public Gardens Association, Cheekwood is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its mission is to preserve Cheekwood as an historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture stimulate the mind and nurture the spirit. For more information about Cheekwood, visit www.cheekwood.org.