There's a fresh temptation to lure you to Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art.This Sunday, Minnesota artist Siah Armajani's 40-foot-long Glass Bridge a homage of sorts to the celebrated Venetian tradition of glass blowing will be dedicated at a 2 p.m. ceremony on a day when admission is free.A gift from Irvin L. and Beverly Small of Nashville, the 17-ton artwork becomes the 16th artistic element to grace Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail, a unique walking tour meandering through the woods of Cheekwood's 55-acre campus and punctuated with international contemporary sculpture.''There are very few trails like this in the nation, let alone in the Southeast, that combine art and the natural environment,'' said Jack Becker, Cheekwood's art director. ''It really is sort of an outdoor gallery,'' and features contributions from such noted figures as James Turrell, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Sophie Ryder.
Though the glass bridge is the last addition from the original vision, the trail is a work in progress. Becker said no additions are on the books, but other pieces likely will be added.
The trail itself, by connecting indoors and out, offers what Cheekwood as an institution seeks to present to those area residents and tourists who also may be tempted to visit Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Tennessee State Museum or other local visual art attractions.
Cheekwood president Jane Jerry labeled the approach a ''special combination.''
''The arts and the gardens really come together here,'' Jerry said, noting that such a program is capable of drawing families in search of recreation as well as serious art patrons.