When it comes to finding a place for a romantic date, Greenville has plenty of great restaurants from which to choose. From Southeast Asian and Japanese cuisine to traditional Persian, sun-kissed Mediterranean, and contemporary New American fare, Greenville has a spot for special occasions. Head to the Augusta Grill for perfectly grilled steaks and ribs; savor locally sourced Southern cuisine at Husk Restaurant; take a culinary journey to France with chef-inspired French fare at the Passerelle Bistro; or taste the smack of the sea with ocean-fresh seafood from Ricks Erwin's Nantucket Seafood or Rick Erwin's West End Grille.
1. Augusta Grill
The Augusta Grill is a classic steakhouse and grill that serves sophisticated comfort food in an elegant yet comfortable setting. Established in 1993, the restaurant offers a menu of creative dishes from melon and prosciutto appetizers and seasonally inspired heirloom tomato salads to beloved classics like the perfectly prepared filet mignons and famous crab cakes. Freshly prepared desserts of sweet and savory are prepared daily, and the cuisine is accompanied by an extensive wine list of selections from local and international winemakers, ranging from emerging vineyards to beloved classics. Augusta Grill serves dinner only Tuesdays through Saturdays.
1818 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29605, Phone: 864-242-0316
2. City Range
Located in The Gallery, City Range is a friendly, neighborhood restaurant that offers a rustic dining experience with a menu of prime steaks, ribs and chicken dishes, fresh seafood and fish, handmade pasta and other Italian plates, fresh salads and sides, and desserts. The full-service bar has an extensive list of casual wines from around the world, craft beers and ales, and classic cocktails, along with soft drinks and other libations. Signature entrées include Bourbon Pecan Chicken in a bourbon cream sauce; Blue Crab Cake with Meyer lemon aioli; Smothered Beef Tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes; Grilled Salmon Mojito with rum-laced mojito beurre blanc; and Bar None Prime Rib served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. City Range is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
615 Haywood Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, Phone: 864-286-9018
3. Davani's
Located in McDaniel Village, Davani's is a warm, relaxed restaurant that serves classic Italian and French food in a cozy, welcoming environment. The family-friendly restaurant offers an inventive menu of classic dishes including prime steaks, chops and ribs, fresh seafood and fish, pasta and Italian specialties, freshly prepared salads and sides, and mouthwatering desserts. The restaurant walls are lined with wine racks showcasing a wide selection of wines from around the world, ranging from casual, easy-drinking labels to rare vintages. Davani's also offers private dining facilities with an intimate dining area for up to 24 guests and the entire restaurant can be rented for special occasions such as receptions, anniversaries and other celebrations.
1922 Augusta St #111A, Greenville, SC 29605, Phone: 864-373-9013
4. Halls Chophouse
Halls Chophouse is the perfect place to go for a romantic date night. Boasting a stunning location with a two-story glass wall overlooking the Reedy River and Downtown Greenville, the family steakhouse and iconic Charleston institution serves a menu of contemporary New American cuisine and fine wines from around the world in an elegant, stylish setting. Tuck into prime 28-day dry aged steaks, grass-fed or Japanese Wagyu filets, or other meat and seafood dishes of bison, duck, lamb, or locally raised trout along with fresh salads, traditional sides and decadent desserts. The refined old-school eatery hosts classic jazz on select evenings and live music every night, as well as soulful sounds during their renowned Gospel Sunday Brunch. Private dining is available in three intimate rooms with set menus for large groups celebrating special occasions. Halls Chophouse is open for dinner Monday through Sunday and brunch and dinner on the weekends.
550 S Main St,Greenville, SC 29601, (864) 335-4200fPeace Center
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5. Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Husk Restaurant
Located in a beautifully restored Victorian-era home in the historic West End district of downtown Greenville, Husk Restaurant serves an ever-changing menu of locally sourced Southern dishes from the bounty of South Carolina upcountry. Helmed by Executive Chef and South Carolina native, Jon Buck, the menu showcases ingredient-driven cuisine prepared using seasonally available heirloom products sourced from local purveyors. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming ambiance with a historic, early 20th-century storefront and a rustic wall of firewood to fuel the wood-fired oven in the open kitchen. A large chalkboard lists the artisanal products currently provisioning the kitchen and the signature dishes of the day such as Sassafras Glazed Pork Ribs with Pickled Peaches and Rabbit-Pimento Loaf with Husk Mustard, Pickles, and Rice Bread. Husk Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, and brunch on Sundays.
76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-577-2500
6. Jianna
Nestled in the heart of downtown Greenville, Jianna takes diners on a journey to Italy with a bustling open kitchen and a menu of classic Italian cuisine. Exuding the traditions of a modern Italian Osteria, the restaurant boasts an unpretentious and approachable style and uses only the freshest and highest quality seasonal ingredients from regional farmers, artisans, and friends. The menu features dishes with an innovative twist such as house-made pasta such as Casarecce or Tonnarelli and Italian favorites like Char-Grilled Octopus, Burratta, Potato Gnocchi, and an array of fresh seafood. The restaurant’s 40-foot signature bar offers an extensive list of libations ranging from signature cocktails to fine wines from around the world. Jianna is open for dinner only Tuesday through Sunday, and brunch, lunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.
600 S Main St #2, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-720-2200
7. Larkin’s on the River
Located on the banks of the Reedy River in a historic pre-civil war building with exposed brick walls and open ceilings, Larkin’s on the River is an award-winning restaurant owned and managed by Mark and Larkin Hammond. Teaming up with Executive Director of Cuisine Alex Castro, the once old steakhouse became one of Greenville’s premier dining destinations, famed for their premium cut steaks, super-fresh seafood, fine boutique wines, and outstanding service. The restaurant boasts a casual ambiance and stylish décor and warm lighting, and the impressive wine list features a selection of local and internationally renowned labels as a perfect accompaniment to any dish on the menu. Larkin’s on the River serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and a laid-back Sunday brunch.
318 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-467-9777
8. Lemongrass Restaurant
Lemongrass Restaurant is an elegant Thai eatery with locations in Greenville and Winterville that offers an unforgettable Asian dining experience. Boasting an indoor water fountain and a serene ambiance, the restaurant serves a variety of Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine, as well as freshly prepared sushi. Signature dishes include classics like Pad Thai, Chicken Satay, Crispy Roast Duck, and Spicy Fish, as well as Chef’s Specials like Seafood in Bean Sauce, Duck Cho-chee, Lemon Chicken, and Eggplant Siam Style. Lemongrass Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week
705 W Fire Tower Rd, Winterville, NC 28590, Phone: 252-758-7878
9. Northampton Wine Cafe
The Northampton Wine Café is a quiet, low key restaurant that is perfect for a date night with delicious culinary offerings like lamb shank and grilled quail accompanied by an excellent selection of global wines from the wine shop. Diners can order a bottle from the restaurant’s wine shop or enjoy a recommended wine pairing with each dish, which includes signature plates like the Black Angus Filet Mignon with Caramelized Shallots; Massachusetts Scallops with Apple-Radish Slaw; and Faroe Island Salmon with Herbed Risotto. Private dining is offered, as well as wine tastings with small bar bites for those guests that want to savor the restaurant’s collection of fine wines. The Northampton Wine Café is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday.
211 E Broad St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-271-3919
10. Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Passerelle Bistro
Passerelle Bistro is a casual French-style bistro located at the base of the Liberty Bridge in the heart of Falls Park. The inviting eatery serves a menu of chef-inspired French fare with a local twist created by Chef Teryi, whose innovative takes on traditional dishes like ratatouille (served as a brie cheese and crab béchamel omelet) bring diners back again and again. Dine inside the bistro whose cozy interiors are intimate and warm, alfresco-style on the patio overlooking the Falls, or in the ‘culinary front row’ at the chef's bar, where you can watch the cuisine being expertly prepared. Passerelle Bistro serves lunch Monday-Friday, dinner Monday – Sunday and brunch on Saturday and Sundays.
601 South Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-509-0142
11. Pomegranate on Main
Pomegranate on Main is a bistro-style eatery that serves traditional Persian cuisine in an open dining room accented by classic Persian touches and an inviting atmosphere. Walls are adorned with one-of-a-kind pieces of Iranian artwork by local artists, and a climate controlled outdoor patio with a pergola provides a delightful outdoor dining experience. The menu features subtle, yet flavorful Persian cuisine with dishes like Fesenjan Stew, Saffron Chicken Kabob, Mirza Ghasemi, Kashk Bademjan, and Mast Mousir. The charming, brick-walled bistro is a friendly, neighborhood eatery that provides locals with an authentic Persian experience and is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday. More ideas: Day Trips from Greenville
618 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-241-3012
12. Portofino's Italian Restaurant
Located in Haywood Plaza, Portofino's Italian Restaurant is an Italian restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming, family-friendly setting. The restaurant features casual décor with wooden tables and chairs, stained glass window detailing, and a full-service bar that offers a variety of casual wines, craft beers, and imported spirits. The menu boasts classic Italian dishes like plates of antipasto, charcuterie and cheeses, handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza with an array of toppings, and meat and seafood dishes. In true Italian style, decadent desserts are part and parcel of the menu and include tiramisu, cannelloni, and spumoni, and the cuisine is accompanied by global wines from Italy and around the world. Portofino's Italian Restaurant is open for dinner, Monday through Saturday.
30 Orchard Park Dr #22, Greenville, SC 29615, Phone: 864-627-7706
13. Rick Erwin's West End Grille
Rick Erwin's West End Grill is a nationally acclaimed brick-walled steakhouse that serves prime steak and fresh seafood dishes along with an extensive selection of wine. Located on Main Street in the Historic West End of Greenville, Rick Erwin's successful upstate restaurant has long been a dining destination for locals and travellers alike and is renowned for its nationally acclaimed meats and ocean-fresh seafood such as Atlantic lobster tail, Chilean sea bass, jumbo sea scallops, and fresh market catch of the day. Ideal for a romantic date for two with elegant décor and soft lighting, Rick Erwin's West End Grill also offers private dining for special occasions and larger groups. The restaurant is open for dinner only, seven nights a week. More ideas: Romantic Weekend Getaways in SC
648 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-479-8983
14. Ricks Erwin's Nantucket Seafood
Located across from the Peace Center for Performing Arts in the heart of downtown Greenville, Ricks Erwin's Nantucket Seafood is one of culinary guru Ricks Erwin’s seafood restaurants that offers an unforgettable dining experience. Featuring elegant décor in natural earthy tones, rich walnut-stained wood accents and soft, ambiance lighting, the eatery is intimate and engaging and offers a menu match with signature seasonal dishes of The Company Crab Cake, Live Maine Lobster Thermidor, Pan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops, Grilled North Atlantic Salmon, and Low Country Shrimp and Grits. Long, panoramic windows boast beautiful views of the Village Green, and a charming courtyard patio with a towering stone waterfall is perfect for an intimate dinner for two. Ricks Erwin's Nantucket Seafood is open for dinner only, seven nights a week.
40 W Broad St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-546-3535
15. Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Ristorante Bergamo
Named for the Piedmont city in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, Ristorante Bergamo has been serving traditional northern Italian fare for over 30 years. Chef-owner and native Bergamasco Nello Gioia serves a menu of classic Northern Italian cuisine with modern interpretation using fresh locally sourced produce, homegrown organic herbs, authentic Italian ingredients, prime, grass-fed meats, and fresh seafood. Signature dishes include grilled Maine lobster tails, seared veal livers with Spanish onions, and sautéed line fish, and the cuisine is accompanied a list of fine wines from Italy and around the world, craft beers and handcrafted cocktails.
100 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-271-8667
16. Saskatoon Steaks Fish Wild Game
Saskatoon: Steaks Fish and Wild Game is a mountain lodge-style restaurant that serves prime steaks, fresh local fish and wild game in a refined atmosphere. Offering diners a warm and welcoming escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city, Saskatoon: Steaks Fish and Wild Game presents a menu featuring traditional prime rib and filet mignon, fresh clear river rainbow trout, cold-water salmon, wild game like elk, bear and pheasant, along with unusual dishes such as elk loin, antelope, or a chef's selection of three wild game cuts in a wild mushroom cream sauce. The cuisine is accompanied by a range of fine wines, beers and ales, and unique cocktails. Saskatoon: Steaks Fish and Wild Game is open for dinner, seven nights a week.
681 Halton Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, Phone: 864-297-7244
17. Romantic Restaurants Near Me: Sassafras Southern Bistro
Sassafras Southern Bistro is a warm and welcoming eatery that serves Southern fare with nightly specials, a full-service bar, and charming outdoor seating. One of downtown Greenville’s decades-old restaurants, the casual neighborhood bistro features newly renovated flooring, soft lighting and comfortable décor that creates an inviting ambiance. An outside patio has new lighting, comfortable tables and chairs, and fresh flowers, making a cozy and intimate spot for a quiet dinner for two. Sassafras Southern Bistro has three different spaces for private events and functions, and the full-service bar presents an extensive list of drinks from casual wines, craft beers and ales on tap, signature cocktails, and spirits. Sassafras Southern Bistro is open for dinner, Tuesday through Saturday.
103 N Main St #107, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-235-5670
18. Schwaben House
Schwaben House is a family-run German eatery with contemporary décor that serves a variety of German and European cuisine such as wiener schnitzel. The restaurant features sleek interiors with tasteful décor and furnishings, and Old-World elements in wood and copper accents and a full-service bar presents an ample selection of imported German beers as well as a variety of specialty wines and signature cocktails. Owner of Schwaben House, Annette Heilmann-Ferro, serves an elevated mix of seasonally inspired dishes such as Maultaschen, fladle soup, grilled cobia, jaeger schnitzel, mustard-encrusted rack of lamb, poached herbed veal tenderloin, and crispy potato cake called rosti. Seasonal desserts include creamy fresh goat cheese with an organic berry compote and warm poached pears in red wine with cinnamon ice cream. Schwaben House is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Friday and dinner only on Saturdays.
1810 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, Phone: 864-329-8681
19. Soby’s New South Cuisine
Soby’s New South Cuisine is a quintessential dining spot with a rich history and rustic charm that offers a menu of southern-inspired cuisine with a focus on locally grown, seasonal ingredients. Established over 20 years ago, Soby’s serves classic regional dishes with a modern twist which are prepared and presented with passion and flair. The iconic and beloved restaurant boasts a casually elegant ambiance in which guest can relax over great food and good wine from Soby’s award-winning wine program, which showcases thousands of expertly curated bottles from around the world. The restaurant’s expert sommelier team present guests with a distinctive list of vintages for a toast-worthy dinner or private celebrations.
207 South Main Street, Greenville SC 29601, Phone: 864-232-7007
20. The Cazbah
There is something undeniably sensual about tapas-style dining. When done well, each plate comes out on its own, and a couple will take their bites simultaneously, thus perfectly enjoying the experience together. The subtle grunts of satisfaction are not inappropriate as good food is supposed to elicit such primal reactions, especially on date night. Just to take things to the next level, the amount of sexual innuendo on the menu itself ranges from nuanced to blatantly obvious and will entertain those inclined to such humor. Just make sure you order the Lobster Cigars and spring for a couple extra as the menu invites you to do (I have yet to meet the person that can just eat one).
16 McBee Avenue, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-241-9909
21. The Lazy Goat
Located in Hampton Inn & Suites, The Lazy Goat is a Mediterranean-themed restaurant in Greenville’s West End that offers a menu featuring global influences from a variety of European countries from Spain to Italy and the Middle East. Taking pride in providing a social dining experience where diners take their time oversharing great food and stories, The Lazy Goat offers a menu of delicious small and sharing that are made from scratch using fresh locally sourced ingredients, cured charcuterie and cheeses, and regionally grown herbs. An open kitchen allows diners to watch the expert chefs at work creating their food, which includes Herb Marinated Lamb Lollipops, Loupe de Mer sea bass, Seared Scallops, Angus Hanger Steak, and Lazy Paella packed with shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, roasted chicken, and chorizo. The Lazy Goat is open for dinner, Monday through Sunday and lunch and dinner over the weekends.
170 Riverplace, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-679-5299
22. The Trappe Door
The Trappe Door is a dimly lit, speakeasy-style basement spot with an old-world vibe offering traditional Belgian cuisine and an incredible Belgian beer menu with a wide range of ales and beers. The cozy, underground bar and eatery serve a menu of classic dishes such as Beer Battered Cod and five different types of Moules Frites to Belgian favorites like Boulets Liegeois (Belgian meatballs) and traditional Flemish Carbonades Flamandes stew. The cuisine is accompanied by no less than 14 beers on tap and a seemingly limitless selection of bottled beers that showcase the best of the Belgian brewing scene. The Trappe Door is open for dinner, seven days a week.
23 W Washington St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-451-7490
23. Trattoria Giorgio
Trattoria Giorgio is a fine Italian restaurant that has been serving the local community with authentic Italian cuisine since 1996. Based in an exposed brick building with large windows and comfortable outdoor seating in a beautiful garden courtyard, Trattoria Giorgio specializes in traditional Italian fare such as Spaghetti Bolognese and other pasta dishes, homemade pizza with a variety of toppings and cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven, and exceptional meat and seafood dishes. Owner Giorgio Todisco prides himself on using only the freshest locally sourced and best authentic Italian ingredients where possible to create the mouthwatering dishes and desserts. Trattoria Giorgio is open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday.
121 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-271-9166
24. Tsunami
Tsunami is a modern Asian restaurant and sushi bar that serves a variety of Asian cuisine, Japanese hibachi and tempura entrée along with freshly prepared sushi and sashimi. Using only the freshest local ingredients and ocean-fresh seafood and fish, which is sliced to order and made into artful presentations, Tsunami serves a menu of Japanese tempura, pot stickers, tataki, hibachi, and other Asian dishes along with a selection of drinks, including sake. The restaurant offers an intimate and romantic space for couples wanting to celebrate a special occasion and a vibrant atmosphere in the sushi bar for those wanting a more energetic evening. Tsunami is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, and dinner only on the weekends.
106 E North St, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-467-1055
25. UP on the Roof
Boasting some of the most spectacular vistas in Greenville, UP on the Roof is a stylish rooftop hangout that serves modern American cuisine and craft cocktails against a backdrop of scenic views. The venue’s al fresco setting is perfect for a romantic date with huge floor-to-ceiling windows embracing spectacular vistas of the Reedy River and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The bistro-style eatery is renowned for their expertly prepared creative cocktails, unique wine selections and regionally brewed craft beers, as well as platters for sharing, bar snacks, and small plates, and luncheon entrées. UP on the Roof is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
250 Riverplace #800, Greenville, SC 29601, Phone: 864-242-4000
What are the 25 Best Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC?
The 25 Best Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC according to local experts are:
- Augusta Grill
- City Range
- Davani's
- Halls Chophouse
- Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Husk Restaurant
- Jianna
- Larkin’s on the River
- Lemongrass Restaurant
- Northampton Wine Cafe
- Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Passerelle Bistro
- Pomegranate on Main
- Portofino's Italian Restaurant
- Rick Erwin's West End Grille
- Ricks Erwin's Nantucket Seafood
- Romantic Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Ristorante Bergamo
- Saskatoon Steaks Fish Wild Game
- Romantic Restaurants Near Me: Sassafras Southern Bistro
- Schwaben House
- Soby’s New South Cuisine
- The Cazbah
- The Lazy Goat
- The Trappe Door
- Trattoria Giorgio
- Tsunami
- UP on the Roof
Attraction Spotlight: Peace Center
Located near Falls Park in Greenville, the Peace Center is regarded as one of the South’s most magnificent and significant performing arts centers. The Peace Center has three main attraction areas designated for different presentations and entertainment. These three attraction areas are the; amphitheater, concert hall, and theater.
During the mid-1980s, many people within the Greenville community wanted to build a performing arts center. This initiative would help bring downtown Greenville back to life, and create a new art and cultural scene for the city. Shortly after the initial idea, the Peace family generously donated $10 million for the Peace Center for the Performing Arts to be built. This $10 million eventually became $42 million, as majority of the city came together, as well as large corporations, to raise as much money as possible.
Since the city wanted the Peace Center for the Performing Arts to be the cultural hub of Greenville, they needed to find the perfect location. Four buildings intrigued the campaign: a mayonnaise factory, retail store, coach factory, and textile plant. The only issue was a moral one of whether those buildings should be destroyed, since they resembled a historic element of Greenville.
Although those buildings were historically significant, the city decided to restore them as efficiently as possible and turn them into the new Peace Concert Hall and Gunter Theatre. After approximately a decade of planning and construction, the Peace Center for the Performing Arts was officially completed and open to the public in November 1990. In order to celebrate the new cultural hub, the city held a Gala that lasted all weekend long.
Two years after the Center opened, an endowment campaign was initiated with the intent to ensure the Peace Center would continue to be secure and thrive for future generations. The initial goal was to raise around $6.5 million. This goal was easily accomplished in under two years.
Most recently, in 2010, the Peace Center for the Performing Arts underwent a renovation that cost approximately $23 million. This renovation expanded may elements of the original Peace Center, as well as make the exterior surfaces more innovative and luxurious.
Like any renowned performing art centers, the Peace Center has a few resident companies. Their current resident companies are:
· Carolina Ballet Theatre
· Greenville County Youth Orchestra
· International Ballet
· The Greenville Chorale
· South Carolina Children’s Theatre
· Greenville Symphony Orchestra
· The Governor’s School
Aside from the Peace Center’s resident companies, the entertainment options are usually special and only occur for a few nights. Since the Center’s list for current and upcoming entertainment opportunities is consistently changing, be sure to check out the Peace Center’s official show calendar, which is located on their website, prior to planning a visit.
The Peace Center for Performing Arts offers a variety of educational opportunities throughout a few formats. Some of the Center’s own initiatives include the Peace Chamber Program and education and community outreach programs. Specifically, the Peace Chamber Program allows participants to learn about chamber music from Miles Hoffman, who is an accomplished violist.
Aside from the educational programs that the Peace Center originated, there are a variety of presentations and classes that occur as special entertainment events. Like any other scheduled events, it’s important to check the Center’s website for an updated list of upcoming educational events.
Between the historic charm and urban location of the Peace Center for Performing Arts, it’s easy to fall in love with its location and facilities. The Peace Center regularly hosts private events. Common private events include weddings, birthday parties, business events, and family reunions.
The Peace Center offers the following three venues for private special events:
· Huguenot Loft has an open floor plan and a maximum capacity of 400 people. The architecture and design elements are comparable to those you would find in SoHo.
· Huguenot Mill is a smaller, conference styled room, with industrial and historic elements.
· Genevieve’s is a combination of minimalistic elegance and natural luxury through its expansive glass windows and combination of indoor and outdoor space.
300 S Main St, Greenville, SC, Phone: 864-467-3030
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Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University
Located in Greenville, South Carolina in Bob Jones University, the Museum & Gallery is an elegant display of a variety of art and artifacts. The Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University is largely comprised of their comprehensive permanent collection.
Born on October 19, 1911, Robert Reynolds Jones Jr. accomplished a variety of achievements throughout his life. Taking on many positions and roles, Dr. Bob was known as a preacher, actor, and university administrator. After hanging out with his art collector friend, Carl Hamilton, sometime in 1948, Dr. Bob began collecting a variety of visual art with the intent to eventually open an art gallery.
Within his first year of collecting art for his university, Dr. Bob was able to collect and display 25 paintings. Since many of these paintings were Baroque art, Dr. Bob was able to successfully stay under the art budget the university gave him. The first time Dr. Bob’s collection was officially displayed was on Thanksgiving Day in 1951. This gallery was only two rooms and was adjacent to the popularized Bowen Collection of Antiquities.
By 1954, the collection had approximately 40 pieces of art. Eight years later, the gallery grew even more and had 211 pieces of art. Throughout the 1960s, the gallery acquired may important paintings from renowned artists, such as Benjamin West.
Throughout its history, the Gallery has moved facilities a few times. In 1996, the Gallery officially became known as the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery, or the Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University, and has an official building.
The permanent collection includes a variety of renowned artists, such as:
· Reni
· Tintoretto
· Le Brun
· Ribera
· Cranach
· Murillo
· Rubens
· van Dyck
The select objects on display are on a two to three year rotation. In other words, the Museum & Gallery displays a new selection from their permanent collection every few years.
The Museum & Gallery offers two main educational opportunities: Scavenger Hunts and Children’s Learning Center.
Scavenger Hunts are 30 to 45 minute activities where participants explore a designated theme and area of the Museum & Gallery. The Museum & Gallery offers the following scavenger hunts:
· M&G Scavenger Hunt is offered for kids between the ages of 5 and 12. Throughout this scavenger hunt, participants will explore and learn about some of the most famous and popular paintings throughout the Museum & Gallery.
· Young Archaeologist Adventure is offered for kids between the ages of 6 and 14. Throughout this scavenger hunt, participants will explore and learn about art related to ancient civilizations, such as civilizations within Mesopotamia and Egypt.
· Identifying Signs and Symbols is geared towards young adults and older. This scavenger hunt explores how artists have utilized religious symbols, special messages, and hidden figures throughout their paintings.
· Making Connections is geared towards young adults and older and focuses on the various techniques used by artists throughout history. This is the most intensive scavenger hunt at the Museum & Gallery, and is perfect for people who have a passion for art, or are planning to pursue a career within art. Participants are encouraged to use the online resources that are given throughout this scavenger hunt to learn more about the fundamentals taught on-site, at home.
As for the Children’s Learning Center, children between the ages of 4 and 12 are encouraged to hang out and explore the world of art in a unique, educational, and interactive way. The Children’s Learning Center offers a variety of programs with different themes throughout the year.
It’s important to note that while Scavenger Hunts and opportunities at the Children’s Learning Center are typically held on a daily basis, there is a possibility that the Museum & Gallery’s current renovation could interfere with these activities. To learn more about the educational opportunities at the Museum & Gallery, visit the Gallery’s website, or contact them during their hours of operation.
1700 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, SC, 2614, Phone: 844-770-1331
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Attraction Spotlight: Greenville County Museum of Art
The Greenville County Museum of Art is home to the Southern Collection, an acclaimed range of artwork spanning from 1726 to the present day. From Federalist portraits to contemporary abstractions, the collection aims to be representative of American art history.
Southern-related examples.
In addition, the museum hosts the most extensive collection of watercolors by American artist Andrew Wyeth, and a substantial collection of paintings and prints by Jasper Johns, himself from South Carolina.
Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009), is one of the most well-known American artists of the mid-20th century. Wyeth was a realist painter who painted in a regionalist style, meaning he depicted rural and small-town American scenes, primarily of his hometown in Pennsylvania and his summer home in Maine. Wyeth launched his career in 1937 with a sold-out exhibition of his watercolors in New York. He did not use traditional oil paints and instead preferred egg tempera and watercolor. The Greenville County Museum's Wyeth collection emphasizes his preference for painting intimate subjects, including his family, his homes, his memories, and his favorite models. Wyeth himself said, "I am an illustrator of my own life."
Jasper Johns (b 1930) is possibly the world’s most critically acclaimed living artist. Johns spent his childhood in South Carolina and attended the University of South Carolina for three semesters before moving to New York to pursue a career in art. Johns’ work is closely associated with abstract expressionism, and subsequent movements including the Neo-Dada, Pop Art, and Conceptual Art movements. He is an internationally renowned artist with deep ties to South Carolina.
History: The Greenville County Museum of Art began in as an idea in 1935, when a small group of artists and collectors first met to establish the Greenville Fine Arts League. This small association purchased its first home to display artworks, the Gassaway Mansion, in 1958. In 1962, the Greenville County Museum Commission was established as the governing body of the Greenville County Museum of Art by the South Carolina General Assembly. In 1974, the GCMA formed a public-private partnership to raise funds for a new facility in response to the need for a building that would not only keep the artwork safe and secure, but could also display the works in a modern setting capable of handling upwards of 100,00 visitors per year. This current building is now home to approximately 70,000 square feet of space for exhibitions, classrooms, and storage. GCMA operations are currently funded through state property taxes, although programming is made possible through private donations. The museum is free to visitors.
Ongoing Programs & Education
The museum hosts a range of free educational events ranging from gallery talks and lectures to musical performances and hands-on demonstrations. Past events have included a local artist’s demonstration of various watercolor techniques used by Andrew Wyeth, gallery talks by contemporary artists whose work is currently on display, and family-friendly events such as collage and painting workshops for kids. The museum offers 3-day summer camps for children ages 5 to 14 who wish to explore art and creativity with professional art educators. For groups, docents guide school-group tours Wednesdays through Fridays each week. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance. The curriculum for these tours can be customized, and past examples of school-group study topics include Close Reading: Uncovering Layers of Meaning and other ways to help students critically look at art and find meaning in the details while understanding the big picture and historical context.
Past & Future Exhibits
In addition to visiting exhibits, the museum’s collection is so large that works from the permanent collection are displayed through curated exhibits that rotate throughout the year. Past exhibitions of works from the permanent collection include Andrew Wyeth’s Places, a collection of paintings which draw from Wyeth’s most distinctive and most loved places, and “Jasper Johns,” a collection of original works along with prints that demonstrate the evolution of John’s evolving relationship with objects – both personal and borrowed from the works of others.
What’s Nearby
The current facility is located in downtown Greenville’s Heritage Green. Heritage Green is the upstate's urban arts and cultural campus and is home to the Greenville County Hughes Library, the Upcountry History Museum, the Little Theater, and the Children's Museum of the Upstate, in addition to the Greenville County Museum of Art.
420 College Street, Greenville SC 29601, Phone: 864-271-7570
