If you have a kid who is a fan of the whimsical and being outdoors, Magnolia Plantation has built something this summer that is going to blow their mind.
The Fairies & Flowers exhibit is running now through July 12 at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in West Ashley, about 30 minutes from Summerville. Tucked along acres of winding garden paths, more than 20 handcrafted fairy village dwellings are hidden among the blooms — tiny lighthouses, bakeries, bookshops, museums, and more, each one designed by a local tri-county artist and waiting to be discovered. The installations are intricate enough that adults will find themselves crouching down for a closer look, and each one comes with a "Can you find?" prompt to turn the whole walk into a gentle scavenger hunt through some of the most beautiful garden grounds in the Lowcountry.
What makes this one feel especially close to home: one of the featured artists is Sheila Preston-Ford, president of the Summerville Artist Guild. She's joined by more than 30 other creators from across the area, including an artist who spent 25 years contributing to the Macy's Flower Show in New York City and members of the Charleston Garden Club. You can feel the care in the craftsmanship — these are not mass-produced decorations. They are real miniature works of art sitting in the middle of one of South Carolina's oldest and most stunning gardens.
The exhibit is included with general garden admission, so there's no extra cost to wander through it. The gardens are open daily from 9am–5pm. Go on a weekday morning if you can — it's quieter, the light is beautiful, and you'll have more room to let the kids wander at their own pace without feeling rushed.
If your child wants to go deeper, Magnolia is also offering a Fairies & Flowers Art Camp for ages 6–10 from 9am-1pm. There’s still a couple weeks of sessions coming up! Campers spend each morning in the indoor Makerspace doing fairy-themed art and crafting activities — building their own fairy dwelling to take home, making woodland tiaras and wands — and each day includes a guided exploration of the grounds, a ride through the Audubon Swamp on the Nature Train, and a visit to the Wildlife Center. The camp includes a pair of fairy wings, a sketchbook, art supplies, and fairy snacks.