ZimSculpt transforms Bonnet House into an open-air gallery of Zimbabwean stone art
- Site Team
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Set across a historic coastal estate, ZimSculpt blends monumental Zimbabwean stone sculpture, live carving, and lush gardens into a one-of-a-kind Fort Lauderdale experience.
This winter, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens becomes something more than a historic museum home dedicated to historic and environmental preservation steps aways from the Fort Lauderdale Beach shoreline—it transforms into one of the most significant outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the United States.
ZimSculpt, a rotating showcase of monumental Zimbabwean stone sculpture, is now on view across the museum’s 35-acre estate, turning winding nature trails and freshwater lagoons into an open-air gallery unlike anything else in South Florida.
For Fort Lauderdale locals and visitors discovering Bonnet House through Choose954, ZimSculpt isn’t just an exhibit—it’s a living continuation of the property’s original purpose.
A Natural Fit Rooted in Art History
Bonnet House was never meant to be just a showpiece. Built in 1920 by artist and collector Frederic Clay Bartlett, the estate was envisioned as a place where art could be created, lived with, and inspired by nature. Hosting ZimSculpt aligns seamlessly with that founding vision.
The exhibition doesn’t just place art on the grounds—it brings creation back to the site. Two Zimbabwean sculptors, Passmore Mupindiko and Shine Muzika, are in residence throughout the run of the exhibit, carving new works live on the estate. Watching artists shape serpentine stone in real time against the backdrop of mangroves, palms, and historic architecture feels less like a demonstration and more like history repeating itself.
Why This Is an Only-in-Fort-Lauderdale Experience
ZimSculpt has traveled to botanical gardens across the U.S. and Canada, but it could only take this form at Bonnet House. The sheer scale of the grounds, combined with the estate’s preserved coastal ecosystem, allows for the display of large-scale sculptures in a way few venues can match.
Here, Shona stone sculptures don’t sit on pedestals—they emerge from the landscape. Visitors encounter towering forms along the nature trail that loops around freshwater bodies, creating moments of surprise, reflection, and dialogue between art and environment.
Curated With Intimacy and Intent
Behind the scenes, ZimSculpt is shaped by co-curators Vivienne and Joseph Croisette, whose deep relationships with the artists and knowledge of stone media guide every installation decision. Each sculpture is placed with intention, informed by the artist’s background, the material used, and the surrounding landscape.
No two ZimSculpt installations are the same. Each venue—and each garden path—creates new conversations between the work and its setting.
Art That Changes Lives
For many of the Zimbabwean artists, ZimSculpt is more than an international exhibition—it’s life-changing. Artwork sales directly support the sculptors, with some artists using proceeds from ZimSculpt to purchase their first homes in Zimbabwe. For collectors and casual buyers alike, this is a rare chance to support artists in a way that has a tangible, lasting impact.
Engaging Broward’s Creative Community
ZimSculpt’s reach extends far beyond the garden paths. This winter, all school field trips to Bonnet House include programming tied to the exhibition and the Shona carving tradition. A new virtual education program, offered at no cost to Broward County Public Schools, expands access even further.
The museum has also partnered with the African American Research Library and Cultural Center to raise awareness, while professional landscape architects will visit in February to sketch on site—drawing inspiration from both the sculptures and the historic grounds.
A Fresh Perspective for Returning Visitors
For longtime Bonnet House fans, ZimSculpt offers something entirely new. While the estate has long displayed wood carvings from Evelyn Bartlett’s Kampong collection, this is the first time stone sculpture has appeared on the property—and the contrast is striking.
The textures, scale, and subject matter of the Zimbabwean works feel wholly distinct from anything else in the collection, giving even the most familiar paths a sense of discovery.
What Visitors Are Saying
Early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Visitors praise the range of subject matter, accessible price points, and universal appeal—from serious collectors to families drawn in by African wildlife motifs. For many first-time guests, ZimSculpt becomes the gateway to discovering Bonnet House’s architecture, history, and permanent collection.
Key Dates to Know
February 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM The Speaker Series with ZimSculpt Co-Curator Vivienne Croisette presents a public lecture on the exhibition. Bonnet House will be open afterward—a rare Monday opening and a great chance to experience the exhibit with fewer crowds.
April 11–12, 2026 The International Orchid Festival returns, pairing ZimSculpt’s stone masterpieces with exotic blooms from nearly 40 vendors.
(Note: The official opening reception of ZimSculpt took place on January 24.)
Why ZimSculpt Belongs on Your 2026 Bucket List
With nearly 2,000 original stone sculptures rotating through the exhibit over the coming months, ZimSculpt represents the largest concentration of fine art stone sculpture currently on display anywhere in the U.S. But you don’t need all day to experience it—even 45 minutes is enough to walk the nature trail, encounter monumental works, and feel refreshed by art and nature working together.
Pick a sunny afternoon. Take a slow walk. Let the stone, history, and landscape do the rest.
ZimSculpt at Bonnet House isn’t just something to see—it’s something to feel.
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