When my husband and I first heard about the Monuments installation, we honestly had no idea what to expect. A bunch of trees lit up? How would that even make sense? I'm so glad we took the time to stop by and see it for ourselves because it ended up being both fascinating and surprisingly meaningful.

Each night from 7 to 10pm, now through March 31, families can experience Monuments, an outdoor projection installation by Craig Walsh located outside the Charleston Gaillard Center. At first glance, the trees simply appear softly illuminated. But if you step back five or even ten steps, something incredible happens. A perfectly formed human face suddenly appears within the branches. Eyes blink, a mouth sometimes smiles, and the nose, lips, and even eyebrows line up so naturally with the branches and open spaces of the tree that it feels almost magical. It's the kind of installation you could easily walk past without noticing, but if you slow down and take a moment to look, the transformation is unforgettable.

I also learned that Monuments is meant to challenge traditional ideas about public monuments and the histories they represent. The installation sits near the Anson Street African Burial Ground Memorial, which honors 36 ancestors whose remains were uncovered during the Gaillard Center's 2013 renovation. Visiting gave us a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate both the beauty of the art and the deeper history connected to this space. I'm by no means an expert on Charleston's history, but this experience encouraged me to slow down and learn more.

We did an adults only visit, but it would be a great post dinner pit stop with the family. Whether you spend fifteen minutes walking through or linger longer to read and reflect, it's well worth the stop. Just make sure to visit before the final night on Tuesday, March 31!