Dixon Gallery & Gardens — Attraction in Memphis

You MUST visit this Gallery and Garden. I had a wonderful experience and it was free! Yes, it’s free until all of 2023. When you first walk in to the left are post-impressionist paintings by Sally Hughes Smith: Adrenaline Rush (Jul 16 - Oct 8, 2023). There is also a coffee shop with a sofa and plenty of tables. There is outdoor seating with umbrellas on each side of entrance. The part of gallery that’s the original residence, display artist like Monet, Degas, Pissarro and more. The security personnel informed me that they rotate the paintings because too many to display at once. It’s simply beautiful. The traveling exhibit is water colors by Zao-Wou-Ki and some of his painted porcelain. The artwork is so colorful and calming. There is also a large collection of porcelain donated by Warda Stevens Stouts. I truly appreciate Margaret and Hugo Dixon leaving this space to highlight art, nature, and beauty! The garden is about 6 acres and simply beautiful. There are tables and benches throughout. Some are in shaded areas but be prepared for mosquitoes. One was buzzing in my ear. There are many sculptures, several water fountains. They have a outdoor library near rear parking lot. There is an area that you can rent for receptions, parties, etc. They have the Dixon Art Camp for a week each summer. A free program for students attending Memphis Shelby County Schools. They create art and learn horticulture. It engages students and families with museum. This museum has many programs on center days of week and throughout the year. Oh, how I wish I lived in Memphis once again, so I could participate! I highly recommend visiting so that you can have the same wonderful experience as I did...

I do not leave reviews but this place is racist. They racial profile so i do not recommend coming here if you are hispanic/poc. we were asked to leave as our bridal attire was “inappropriate.” We tried asking if we could accommodate by removing certain pieces of clothing. she shook her head and said no you just have to leave. We paid $150 only to look too “bridaly” by Rachel the manager and the other manager did not care. We paid for the engagement/bridal category. From the moment we walked in we felt a weird vibe as it was white majority and felt as we were racially targeted by the manager. Apparently this happens to other people because of their cultures wedding attire. If its free admission why would they even care when we booked and she asked if we were booked. we said yes. She asked us to leave and we left. nobody else had to leave and everyone i saw was white. which is really crazy.

After their reply i just want to say. Before coming we emailed them all the details and to make sure everything was ok. They said its was fine. We got there we tried to accommodate to their “guidelines”. Rachel didn’t even want to talk about what was wrong and kicked us out. She shook her head. We booked and she asked if we even booked and we said yes. for $150 and being there what 5-10 minutes. We actually called the day after and nothing was done. at the end of the day you guys don’t care....

The gardens were truly beautiful, but the art gallery left a lot to be desired. They had many nice pieces, but I couldn't enjoy them because the staff were so rude and toxic. I've been to many galleries all over the US and Europe and I think this was possibly the worst I have ever been treated. If you're trying to enjoy the paintings and the staff are constantly over your shoulder, staring at you menacingly, it ruins the experience and makes you never want to come back. I understand that safety of the art is essential, but if you're standing at a respectable distance and there's no clear tampering of the pieces or an attempt at tamper, then you should keep your cool and not stare at each of the guests so terribly. The constant laughter of the employees and their negative attitudes when simply making conversation was also not appreciated.

Overall, it was a university gallery, hosting a few good pieces, conducted by employees who think they are hotter than what they actually are, just because they're employed by the trade. It was like I was in a James Bond movie or something, trying to dodge agents, any time I wanted to look at one painting in peace. This is a small gallery in Memphis, not the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona.

Thanks for the free admission. I'm glad I didn't have to pay the regular $7 fee, because it would not have...