Seasons - Winter 2017-18 {Vol. 9 Issue 1} by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

ANNUAL EXHIBITION

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

DEVELOPMENT AND MEMBERSHIP

Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World

Drawn into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper

Cheers to Our Next Chapter

Annual Fund Gifts

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Winter 2017-18 Volume 9, Issue 1

A FEBRUARY AFFAIR

HONORING A LEGACY OF LOVE

WATCH US GROW

Summer concerts have come and gone and now a distinctly different music can be heard at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. It is the music of new facilities being created and existing ones being renovated and upgraded. One way to perceive these sounds is to listen to the beeps of back-up warning signals, the crash of metal striking concrete and the roar of engines powering up to move huge quantities of soil. Another way to perceive these sounds is to truly hear, internalize and appreciate that this music is 100% generated by the generosity of the West Michigan community.

ORCHID SHOW

You, the community, have embraced and supported our mission and we have experienced unprecedented growth. On September 30, 2017, our fiscal year came to a conclusion and for the third straight year 750,000 people visited Meijer Gardens. It is thanks to this growth, and the desire to better accommodate our guests and present our mission, that the Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love capital campaign is possible. I am pleased to announce that we have received gifts and pledges exceeding our $115 million goal! We are deeply humbled by this outpouring of generosity. Words are truly inadequate to fully describe how appreciative we are of the gifts given to make this project possible. We know that all gifts to Meijer Gardens represent the hard work and generosity of our donors. Thank you one and all. It is important to note that we are inspiring lifelong learners. Our new facilities will be LEED certified and environmentally friendly. We are creating some of the finest new museum facilities in the world. They will be architecturally significant, yet easy to use and navigate. They will be tools for presenting sculpture and horticulture in new and unique ways. The best thing about our new facilities is that we will use them, along with our dual mission of sculpture and horticulture, to bring joy to people. During our expansion and renovation, we are making every effort to allow you to witness the activity and progress of the project. Naturally, there will be established safety zones that need to be respected. However, we will make it possible for you to see the activity and enjoy watching your garden grow. Please visit often and see the progress. You will establish your own living history of the project that can be shared for generations to come.

BEVERLY PEPPER: WORKS ON PAPER

Fred and Lena Meijer have made possible this amazing place called Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Each day I give thanks for their leadership and generosity in giving us a place where so many can find joy. Finally, I present to you an invitation. Starting February 2, 2018, we are presenting the exhibition Drawn Into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper. This exhibition highlights the two-dimensional works of a pioneering woman in the field of sculpture. I am pleased to announce that Beverly Pepper has chosen Meijer Gardens as the beneficiary of her entire body of graphic work. Nearly 900 objects, including drawings, sketchbooks, prints and models have been given, creating one of the most important resources for graphic work related to Contemporary sculpture anywhere in the world. I hope you will visit us to see this groundbreaking exhibition.

David S. Hooker President and CEO, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Gratefully,

CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

We are saddened by the news of Mrs. Helen DeVos’ passing. Her support of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and dedication to the arts in West Michigan and beyond is cherished and will never be forgotten.

HONORARY CHAIRMAN Frederik Meijer (1919–2011) HONORARY MEMBER Earl Holton

PRESIDENT AND CEO David Hooker

EX OFFICIO MEMBER, President of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation John Baab Ryan Anderson Kim Bruyn Joan Budden Linda Chamberlain Jeff Dean Jocelyn Dettloff Scott DeVecht Suzanne Eberle Joy Fossel Michael Gaudino Meg Goebel Shane Hansen Matthew Heynen Nancy Hickey Ronald Hofman Mike Jeppesen Yang Kim Jeff Lambert

Gloria Lara Elisa Lintemuth Jon March Janet Mason Mary McLoughlin Mark Miller William Padnos Doriane Parker-Sims Jim Preston Bill Schoonveld Joe Taber Edward VanDam Kathleen Vogelsang Jill Walcott Vicky Weller Daniel Williams John Zimmerman

“Mrs. DeVos led a life of service and distinction that is an Lena Meijer and Helen DeVos at the opening of The Richard & Helen inspiration to all people.” said DeVos Japanese Garden in 2015. Photo by Dusty Brown. Meijer Gardens President & CEO David Hooker. “Personally, my life has been significantly enriched by getting to know Mrs. DeVos over the years. Mrs. DeVos was always engaging and a ton of fun to be with. I was always very impressed by the way she took the time to greet many strangers and share kind words and make connections to mutual friends and family. We are all very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of her generosity. We will miss her and are extremely thankful we could call Mrs. DeVos a friend.”

ANNUAL EXHIBITION

CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD DRAWN INTO FORM: SIXTY YEARS OF DRAWINGS AND PRINTS BY BEVERLY PEPPER SCULPTURE ESSAY

WORKS ON PAPER CHEERS TO OUR NEXT CHAPTER

HONORARY MEMBER OF SCULPTURE COMMITTEE

FACILITY RENTAL

WEDDINGS BEYOND COMPARE

Miner S. and Mary Ann Keeler

DEVELOPMENT / MEMBERSHIP

YOUR ANNUAL FUND GIFTS ARE APPRECIATED! EVENTS / EXHIBITIONS / CLASSES

WINTER WONDER TO SPRING BLOOMS

Cover: Beverly Pepper. Galileo’s Wedge, 2009. Steel. Gift of Fred and Lena Meijer. © Beverly Pepper. Photo by William J. Hebert.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS/ATTRACTIONS HOURS Tuesday, 9 am–9 pm Monday–Saturday, 9 am–5 pm Sunday, 11 am–5 pm

CONTACT Main 616-957-1580 Toll Free 888-957-1580

SEPT 15—JAN 7, Rodin and the Contemporary Figurative Tradition

Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World FEB 2—APR 29, 2018, Drawn into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper

NOV 21—JAN 7,

Winter 2017-18 Volume 9, Issue 1 December 2017—February 2018

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 © 2017 Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Seasons is published four times per year for members. Please contact membership@meijergardens.org if you prefer to receive Seasons via email. If you would like to comment on our content, please call membership at 616-977-7689.

4–5

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

Meijer Gardens receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

CONTENT

Benefactor, Advocate, and Friend

BOARD of DIRECTORS

MAR 1—APR 30,

Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming MAY 25—AUG 19, Masayuki Koorida: Beyond Existence

#MeijerGardens MeijerGardens.org

6–7 8–9 10 – 11 12 –13 14 – 15 16- 23

The soft glow of candlelight reflects more than just what meets the eye. In many cultures, lighting candles at the holidays is a way to reflect on the past and on loved ones who have passed on.

HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION

REFLECTION

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS: Christmas Cabaret December 7, 6 pm–10 pm

Member Holiday Parties Party with Tree Lighting Ceremony, November 20, 6–8 pm Family Parties with Santa and Mrs. Claus November 26; December 3, 11 & 17, 6-8 pm Adult Party (18 and over) with cash bar November 27, 7-9 pm RSVP at rsvp@meijergardens.org, http://bit.ly/FMGholiday17 or call 616-974-5222

EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS Entire facility is open until 9 pm December 18—23, and December 26—30 PLEASE NOTE: Meijer Gardens is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

Santa Visits November 21 and 28, December 5, 12, and 19, 5–8 pm The Original Dickens Carolers November 21 and 28, December 5, 12, and 19, 6–8 pm Winter-Time Walks November 21–January 6, 2018 Tuesdays, 10:15 am and 11:15 am and Saturdays, 11:15 am Fee: Included with admission Winter in the Children’s Garden can be chilly, but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor interactive discovery walk to investigate the Children’s Garden in new ways. Together we’ll explore different winter themes, each with kid-friendly conversations, stories and finger plays.

Rooftop Reindeer November 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 1–4 pm

Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World is made possible by

The Meijer Foundation Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Railway Garden is sponsored by

CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD November 21, 2017–January 7, 2018

’Tis the season of family, faith and festivities. Across cultures and customs, we turn inward to reflect on what matters most during this cherished time of the year. Visit Meijer Gardens, where reflection will be both seen and felt.

Celebrating with family, honoring traditions, showing gratitude, giving and receiving–the holidays are a time to slow your pace and ponder the year that’s passed and the new year about to begin. Reflection is the focus of this year’s Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition. Over the last twenty-three years, this ever-evolving, yet always magical, exhibition has become a hallmark of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. What began as 20 displays is now a magnificent 42, depicting the time-honored traditions of families around the world. As you stroll our wonderland of 27 adorned Christmas trees and 15 cultural displays, reflect upon their majesty and meaning. Of note is Ghana, whose vibrant people honor ancestors with colorful festivals believed to strengthen the bonds of the living with the departed. The Vietnamese New Year is also intriguing, with its ornate ancestral altars decorated with iconic items symbolizing new beginnings, gratitude for earth, respect for the dead and aspirations for a prosperous life. Likewise, the Finnish reflect on the season by placing candles on the graves of their loved ones every Christmas Eve. Finally, don’t miss the ever popular USA tree, decorated to represent Christmas traditions following WWII in the late 1940s and 1950s. The German tree has some special significance. Lena Meijer was one of the founders of the Christmas exhibition and each year she visits us to help decorate the German tree, as her ancestors came from Germany. Can you find the pickle hung in the tree? It is a German tradition to hang a pickle ornament in the tree each year and the person who spots it first gets a special present. Our beloved Railway Garden commands reflection, too. Look beyond the train to appreciate the artistry of this immersive world unto itself, comprised of nearly 40 structures handmade from natural materials. The craftsmanship of each one is something to behold. Reflection is interpreted quite literally, too. From shimmering snow-flocked trees and sparkling stars to polished metals and mirrored surfaces, this enchanting exhibition begs a closer look. Notice how the multitudes of glass and mirrored ornaments playfully catch the light. See the highly polished Hanukkah menorah. Venture outside to take in glistening moonlit snow and sublime evergreens sparkling with more than 300,000 white lights. Around every corner, reflections spark wonder and joy. Speaking of joy, save the date to attend the annual Member Holiday Party tree lighting ceremony on November 20. We promise a visit from Santa Claus himself, scrumptious holiday treats, festive live entertainment, children’s activities, and more. It’s the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle to spend an evening with family, reflecting on the beauty of the season and the bounty of your blessings.

HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION 5

Beverly Pepper. Untitled (Textile works, Rome), 1953. Ink and watercolor on paper. Photo by Chuck Heiney.

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS: Society Preview Wednesday, January 31, 6–8 pm By invitation only.

Member Opening Thursday, February 1, 6–8 pm

Hidden Treasure: The Graphic Repertoire of Beverly Pepper Beverly Pepper is among the most celebrated Contemporary sculptors, yet her works on paper are largely unknown. Join Chief Curator and Vice President for Collections and Exhibitions, Joseph Becherer, on a journey that covers more than six decades of drawings and prints. From the streets of postwar Rome to public plazas and parks across the United States, investigate the amazing achievements of this legendary artist.

PROGRAMMING Five Great Women Sculptors Sunday, March 18, 2 pm Fee: Included with Admission Suzanne Eberle, Professor of Art History, Kendall College of Art & Design

Monumental sculpture is often closely associated with men. However, throughout the history of Modern sculpture many important female artists, including Beverly Pepper, have worked in a large scale. Join us for a discussion of five female sculptors—Beverly Pepper, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Louise Bourgeois, Barbara Hepworth, and Louise Nevelson—and their giant impression on the history of art.

A Maker’s Perspective: Artist-Led Gallery Walks Tuesday, March 13, 6 pm Mariel Versluis, Professor of Printmaking, Kendall College of Art & Design

Tuesday, April 17, 6 pm Adam Wolpa, Visual Artist specializing in printmaking

Fee: Included with admission

Join us for a gallery walk with the insight of an artist. Each walk will focus on Beverly Pepper’s transition from her early work of observation drawing to her mature-artistic style of bold abstraction. Gain understanding into the techniques of many of the artworks in the exhibition including lithographs, etchings, layered paper collages, monotypes and modified mixed media prints. Exhibition programs are drop-in and registration is not required. Drawn Into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper is made possible by The Meijer Foundation Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

DRAWN INTO FORM: SIXTY YEARS OF DRAWINGS AND PRINTS BY BEVERLY PEPPER

Friday, February 2—Sunday, April 29, 2018

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is honored to present the premier exhibition of drawings and prints by iconic Contemporary sculptor, Beverly Pepper. Known regionally for her soaring steel Galileo’s Wedge, a favorite in our Sculpture Park since 2009, Pepper’s monumental sculptures are celebrated from New York to San Francisco. Our galleries will display more than seventy works, dating from the 1950s to present. Never before seen in public, these works on paper are a treasury of ideas and forms. Pepper first emerged on the international scene in 1962 as the only female artist to be invited to exhibit her early steel creations with established figures like Alexander Calder and David Smith. Her career has been both prolific and prodigious across the course of Contemporary art. A pioneering force for women in the visual arts, Pepper joins Barbara Hepworth, Louise Nevelson and Louise Bourgeois to form the quartet of female sculptors foundational to opening doors for female artists. This exhibition coincides with the artist’s 95th birthday and celebrates her extraordinary gift to Meijer Gardens that spans nearly 900 sketches, drawings, prints and notebooks, as well as a series of models, including Galileo’s Wedge. Among the rarities of her gift is a series of sketchbooks Pepper maintained over her career. Although Pepper’s sculptures are featured in prominent public and private collections across the globe, her works on paper—especially her drawings—are little known, yet have a critical role in her studio practice and trace the trajectory of her career, from observational life studies to abstraction. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Pepper trained at both the Pratt Institute and the Art Students League in New York. She enjoyed a successful early career in advertising before leaving America for an impoverished, post-World War II France to become an artist. There, she studied with Modern masters Fernand Léger and André Lhote. She also met and married fellow American Bill Pepper (1917-2014), a reporter turned bureau chief for Newsweek and, later on, acclaimed author. The couple settled in Rome, where Pepper established her first studio. For more than a half century, they divided their time and respective creative endeavors between Italy and New York. The exhibition opens with a series of extraordinary street drawings of post-war Rome that depict Pepper’s fascination with the remnants of the Old World giving way to the new. These drawings capture workers and wives, children and Cardinals in everyday life. A trip to Southeast Asia in 1960 captivated the artist and led to a dramatic change in style; still figurative, these new drawings were decidedly abstracted and served as a springboard for her non-representational imagery. In her bountiful two-dimensional works from the mid-1960s through the 1980s, the mature Pepper shows her full command of an abstract vocabulary of forms, conquering a quest for a sense of monumentality. Some drawings are sketches for sculptures, others are highly detailed studies. When she begins making prints, the relationship between two- and three-dimensional imagery extends even further. In Pepper’s repertoire, the dialogue among all forms is fluent and flawless. From her studio in the Italian countryside, Pepper continues to draw and make sculpture. Since the 1990s, her drawings often link to her sculptures, yet are bold explorations of form. Drawn Into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper is a groundbreaking exhibition of one of America’s greatest living artists and a grateful commemoration of one of the most important legacy gifts made to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park—a true cause for celebration and exploration. SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

WORKS ON PAPER The mission of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to “promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment and the arts,” is well known. Our world-renowned sculpture collection features works from the late 19th century to the present, from sculptures in marble, bronze and metal to works on paper—one of the most significant, and growing, aspects of our permanent collection. Drawings, prints and photographs by artists recognized primarily as sculptors form an exceptionally rich and wondrous part of this permanent collection, which includes works on paper from powerhouse artists like British Modernist Henry Moore, Pop Art icon George Segal and Abstract Expressionist Mark di Suvero. Although the nature of an image on paper is inherently flat, the image itself frequently conveys the inspiration and essence of a sculptor’s three-dimensional style. While our permanent collection focuses on works on paper from the Modern (ca. 1880-1945) and Contemporary (1945-present) periods, their importance began in the Renaissance. It was then, and largely in association with figures like Michelangelo, that collectors realized drawing was not a mere act of preparation but an important visual statement in its own right. Prints, too, were recognized as not just reproductions but also an aesthetic experience. Drawings by sculptors can be especially insightful when directly linked to specific works. Because of the physical nature of sculpture, and the physically demanding creative process, a drawing often provides a sculptor with preliminary guidance for contemplating their ideas. It can be more straightforward for a sculptor to think through ideas on paper before they begin modeling, carving or welding. Case in point are the five drawings by Alexander Liberman for his colossal work, Aria, or David Nash’s renderings for his idea of what would become Sabre Larch Hill. Yet, drawings are not limited to preparatory works and can be independent from any specific project. Some sculptors simply appreciate the act and result of drawing. Consider abstract artist Anthony Caro, who every week of his long and storied career, held drawing sessions with a model. Drawings and their sister art, prints, can also continue to explore a completed 8

SCULPTURE ESSAY

Beverly Pepper in Paris, 1999. On the occasion of her exhibition at the Palais Royal. Photo by Bernard Saint-Genes.

sculpture—a means to capture and convey their three-dimensional accomplishments in two-dimensional form. Limited-edition prints are critical to the repertoire of many sculptors. Increasingly over the 20th century, sculptors have engaged with printmaking and professional print houses have welcomed them to work in etchings, lithographs or experimental mediums. During the Pop Art movement in the 1960s prints had become an essential aspect of many sculptors’ life works. Printmaking gave sculptors a form of flexibility and avenue of expression that sculpture simply could not. A print can be an independent form and a complete conceptual process in its own right. Prints are more accessible to a broad and diverse audience of collectors for whom collecting works of sculpture is not a reality. Photography by sculptors is a less prolific art form in comparison to drawing or prints, but important nonetheless as a work on paper. Alexander Liberman was deeply committed to photography and, although some of his images tended to be documentary, he photographed sculpture and architecture to further understand three-dimensional forms. Likewise, Kenneth Snelson was long fascinated by photography—it became essential to his professional practice. He often photographed his work to present his own points of view and insights. More than 1,000 works on paper are in our present collection. They represent a critically important and burgeoning aspect of Meijer Gardens’ commitment to the arts. Evidence of this is Beverly Pepper’s recent gift of her complete collection of works on paper. With our current collection and the opportunity for future growth, works on paper have been an important point of consideration in the design of the new Welcome Center. Because light and climate conditions are highly sensitive for prints, drawings and photographs, they will be displayed in the lower garden view level, which includes a 5,100 square foot, state-of-the art works on paper and archive space. This meticulously designed space will preserve and protect our current and future printed collection. Works on paper by sculptors are critical to the history of art and a wondrous avenue of aesthetic appreciation. At Meijer Gardens, they underscore the cultural significance of our organization and embody Fred Meijer’s vision to build a “world-class collection.” Essay by Joseph Antenucci Becherer, Chief Curator and Vice President

Beverly Pepper at the John Deere Factory in Moline, Illinois, 1980. Beverly Pepper. Untitled, n.d. Ink and watercolor on paper. Photo by Chuck Heiney.

SCULPTURE ESSAY

Dignitaries, donors, employees and volunteers gather for the kick off celebration. Photo by Anthony Norkus. 10

ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

CHEERS TO OUR NEXT CHAPTER A historic capital campaign like Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love is great cause for celebration. Last month, we did just that. It was an event 22 years and 11 million visitors in the making. On October 4th, dignitaries, donors, employees and volunteers alike joined our dedicated capital campaign team to officially celebrate the beginning of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s next chapter. A glorious sunset was the perfect backdrop to the outdoor kick off celebration in the Tassel-Wisner-Bottrall English Perennial Garden. The lively crowd included special guests like Lena Meijer, members of the Meijer family and several Meijer Gardens Board of Directors members, as well as a number of elected officials. President and CEO David Hooker welcomed guests with gratitude for the hundreds of donors, staff and volunteers who have made the Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love campaign possible through their time, talents and financial gifts. Thanks to their generosity, we have exceeded our ambitious

fundraising goal of $115 million—an announcement that drew a loud ovation. Hooker noted the most important part of the new facilities will be “to bring people joy.” Architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien followed, sharing their deep respect for the mission of Meijer Gardens and unwavering passion for honoring it by creating an architecturally significant destination that delivers an equally exceptional visitor experience. Longtime Meijer Gardens visionary Betsy Borre then led the celebratory groundbreaking by starting the engine of a massive mechanical spade, which ceremoniously lifted a tree from the ground. Special guests echoed the sentiment by turning over dirt in pots placed in front of the stage. The celebration continued into the evening, with every guest leaving with a flowerpot filled with bulbs to commemorate this milestone moment in our history.

From left to right: Shelly Kilroy, Billie Tsien, Tod Williams, Ping Liang, Earl Holton and Lena Meijer ceremoniously turn dirt to kick off the expansion and renovation. Photo by Anthony Norkus. ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

WEDDINGS BEYOND COMPARE

Outdoors meets out-of-this-world in our exquisite new wedding ceremony locales. Planning your big day? Our professional event coordinators await with a tour of these stunning sites. From eclectic to elegant to everything in between, outdoor weddings at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are where memories are made. Now, more than ever. From the intimate to grandiose, our professional event coordinators have created new packages for outdoor wedding ceremonies of up to 500 guests. Starting next spring, couples looking for a daytime or early evening experience between the months of June and September now have the flexibility to begin their festivities earlier.

FACILITY RENTAL

Nestled in our Sculpture Park, these distinctive settings offer not only some of the area’s most breathtaking photo opportunities but also a one-of-a-kind experience for guests as they travel to and from the ceremony and enjoy works from many of the world’s most renowned sculptors. The DeVos Van Andel Piazza, home of Nina Akamu’s The American Horse, offers three, one-hour packages for ceremonies up to 500 guests. Couples can choose the day and time of their preference.

Say your vows in style on the beautiful arched bridge in The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden. Photo by Peter McDaniel.

Just a short walk from the Lena Meijer Conservatory, three packages for ceremonies of up to 150 guests. Outdoor The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden is an intimate reception packages are also available, by proposal. If you’d like yet impactful setting. The Cherry Tree Promenade is a charming, to extend your celebration many of these memorable sites offer affordable setting for packages with indoor reception weddings of up to 40 space. Every outdoor location (standing) or 80 (seated) offers amenities exclusive to Dreaming of an outdoor wedding? Call our professional event team guests. Other serene spots Meijer Gardens, including for small groups in the complementary onsite parking and for an insider’s tour of our many ceremony sites, (616) 975-3146. Japanese garden include the access to open garden areas during arched bridge, viewing hill, your rental time. Most packages bird-viewing deck, moon-viewing deck and main gate. include white garden chairs and an outdoor sound system for With its captivating sights and sounds, the Sculpture Park recitation of vows. We even take care of inclement weather Waterfall is perennially our most popular destination for worries with a back-up location. No matter your wishes, we weddings of up to 275 guests. The Michigan’s Farm Garden offers promise to do everything in our power to make them come true.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

FACILITY RENTAL

Students learning in the Carnivorous Plant House. School programs that educate students about sculpture and horticulture are made possible by annual fund donors like you. Photo by Peter McDaniel.

YOUR ANNUAL FUND GIFTS ARE APPRECIATED! As the end of 2017 nears, there is much to celebrate thanks to our Annual Fund donors. With your support, we promoted the enjoyment of gardens and the natural environment by bringing over 7,000 butterflies of 50 different species from around the world to Meijer Gardens. You welcomed the art of one of the most important cultural figures of our time, Ai Weiwei, to the upper Midwest for the first time. You offered hundreds of fun and interactive educational programs to 89,000 people. This included thousands of schoolchildren, who may now understand that the similarities between holidays and religions far outweigh the differences and appreciate how horticultural and sculptural elements can be used to express important cultural values. To the hundreds of generous individuals and organizations who chose to help us continue to present delightful gardens and thought-provoking annual exhibitions with a gift to the 14

DEVELOPMENT/MEMBERSHIP

Annual Fund, we say thank you. As we reflect on the past year, one thing becomes very clear: We could not bring joy to the 750,000 people that visit us each year without you. Your impact on Meijer Gardens and our mission of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts can be seen every day as guests are inspired by our beautiful gardens and grounds. Thanks to you, Meijer Gardens is always growing, always beautiful, and always new. Please consider a gift to the Annual Fund at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as part of your planned year-end giving. Monetary gifts of all sizes are appreciated. Please call Colin Cumming, Annual Funds & Grants Manager, at (616) 975-3143, or email him at ccumming@meijergardens.org.

CORPORATE PARTNERS AT MEIJER GARDENS

Meijer Gardens is grateful for the generosity of our corporate community. Our Corporate Partners program provides support for special events, exhibitions, and critical programming elements. To learn more, contact Colin Cumming at 616-975-3143 or ccumming@meijergardens.org AMBASSADOR LEVEL $25,000+

SUSTAINER LEVEL $2,500 (cont.)

Amway Corporate Live Cumulus Media, Inc. Fifth Third Bank Fox 17 Harvey Lexus of Grand Rapids Meijer, Inc. MLive Media Group Townsquare Media WGVU

Kendall College of Art & Design Lacks Enterprises, Inc. Landscape Design Services, Inc. Lasers Resource Mercy Health Saint Mary's Norris, Perné & French LLP Northern Trust Bank Northpointe Bank Pioneer Construction, Inc. Priority Health Progressive AE Roskam Baking Company Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. TEKTON, Inc. Twin Lakes Nursery, Inc.

PATRON LEVEL $10,000 Absopure Water Airway Oxygen, Inc. Berends Hendricks Stuit Insurance Country Inn & Suites Gilson Graphics Lawrence Productions Macatawa Bank Masterpiece Flower Company, LLC Steelcase Inc. US Golf Cars, Inc. Van Dellen Steel, Inc. Warner Norcross & Judd LLP WYCE 88.1

BENEFACTOR LEVEL $5,000 Bartlett Tree Expert Co. Cascade Engineering Chemical Bank Deloitte Foremost Graphics Group Henry Mast Greenhouses, Inc. Life EMS Ambulance Merrill Lynch Miller Johnson Owen Ames Kimball Co. RDV Corporation Reliable Energy, Inc. Showspan Incorporated Universal Forest Products, Inc. Varnum LLP Walters Gardens, Inc.

SUSTAINER LEVEL $2,500 Betz Industries Butterball Farms, Inc. Dean's Landscaping and Excavating, Inc. DJ's Landscape Management DK Security Dykema Ellis Parking Company Everett's Landscape Management, Inc. Excel Electric, Inc. Experience Grand Rapids FASTSIGNS of Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport Grand Valley State University Herman Miller, Inc. Independent Bank ITC Holdings Corp

CONTRIBUTOR LEVEL $1,000 Apols Water Gardens Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals Control Solutions, Inc. Fence Consultants of West Michigan Gardens Alive Farms Gordon Food Service Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, LLC Hortech, Inc. Hotel Walloon Katerberg VerHage, Inc. Kitchen 67 Leo's Restaurant Meijer - Knapps Corner Northland Express Transport Old National Bank PADNOS Pageworks Preusser Jewelers Real Space S. Abraham & Sons, Inc. Soundoff Signal Star Tickets, Inc. Vista Springs, LLC W.A. Lettinga Investment

FRIEND LEVEL $500 American Plastic Toys, Inc. Design Collective Floral & Gifts Eastern Floral & Gift Shop Gumina's Flowers Henry A. Fox Sales Company Horrocks Market Ikebana Art Grand Rapids Irwin Seating Co. Juhas and Sullivan Jewelry Kennedy's Flowers & Gifts Leigh's of Western Michigan Martha's Vineyard Meritage Hospitality Group Northern Jet Management Remacon Compressors, Inc. Superior Groundcover, Inc. Supply Geeks Active List as of 10/1/17

QUARTERLY TRIBUTES The following gifts were received between June 30 and September 30, 2017. Those honored or memorialized are shown in bold type, while the donors are in regular type.

IN HONOR Charles Beorn & Karen Coleman Anonymous

IN MEMORY

Joan Vermaire & William Skea Gloria Yff Judith Hooker Elizabeth Hekman Gordon Daniel Linger

Douglas Rathburn John & Janet Baab John & Marian Bouwer Donald & Fran Buske Robert & Rudean Fairman Ray Loeschner Dick & Judie Rathburn

L. Dale Atkinson

John Linger

WM Atkinson & Joan Atkinson

Laura & Bruce Linger

Larry & Sally Robson

Andrew & Carrol Dykema

David & Joyce Hecht Martin & Enid Packard

Reuben Family

Solon “Art” Kipp

Marlene Reuben

Laurie & Mike Kipp Klecha

Janet Walters St. John

David Koski

Joan Buchanan

Lisa Polzin

Ian Warnock, Sr.

William & Lora Lee Longhurst Nancy Matlosz William & Linda Peterson Rory Bent Buist Mike & Michelle Bent Eileen DeVries Gordon Food Service Lena Meijer Mike & Gayle VanGessel Marion Friedrich

Roberta Polzin Mary Lee Lynch

Jeanne Early Tim & Elizabeth Griffin

Lena Meijer

Sharon & M.J. Hartley

June Murphy

Betty Kingston

Jane Anthony

Gerald & Marjorie LaBreck

Grant & Kate Lynn

Ellen Otto

Barbara Marcus

Douglas & Jan Ogonowski

David & Jerri Schroeder

Dale & Jane Rhoades

Joanne Keenan

Margaret Page David & Kathleen Schmidt Ronald & Dorothy Jean Ward

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP! Your membership fee assists us in carrying out our mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment and the arts. Not only do you receive benefits including unlimited general admission, invitations to member-only events and discounts in the gift shop, café and on classes, you provide the community with a beautiful place to visit and share with out-of-town guests. There are three core membership categories: General, Enhanced and Society. General members develop a relationship with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park by visiting during each season, Enhanced members deepen their connection through the additional support provided in their annual membership fees and Society members enable Meijer Gardens to sustain Fred and Lena Meijer's vision to provide a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture and sculpture. All memberships are tax deductible; the amount varies by level. DEVELOPMENT/MEMBERSHIP

EVENTS Tuesdays & Saturdays, November 21–January 6, 2018 Tuesdays 10:15 and 11:15 am Saturdays 11:15 am

WINTER-TIME WALKS

FEE: Included with admission Winter in the Children’s Garden can be chilly, but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor discovery walk to investigate this interactive garden in new ways. Together we’ll explore different winter themes, each with kid-friendly conversation, stories and finger plays.

Tuesdays, January 9–February 27 (Ages 2–5) 10:30 am

COZY TALES FOR CHILLY DAYS Preschool Story Time

FEE: Included with admission. January 9: Shapes February 6: Spiders January 16: Animal Sounds January 23: Frogs January 30: Leaves

February 13: Turtles February 20: Five Senses

HOURS Tuesday, 9 am – 9 pm Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm

January 27—28 Saturday: Displays 12–5 pm, Sales 10 am–5 pm Sunday: Displays 11 am–5 pm, Sales 11 am–5 pm

ORCHID SHOW

FEE: Free Escape the cold and surround yourself with beautiful tropical orchids in the Grand Room. See orchid blooms as small as a mosquito and blooms with petals extending 10 inches or more. Use your imagination to discover how the moth orchid, slipper orchid, and dancing lady orchid got their names. Enjoy fragrant orchids such as Cattleya with vivid floral notes, Maxillaria that smells like roasted coconut, or Oncidium ‘Sharry Baby’ reminiscent of vanilla and chocolate. Attend a free talk by experienced orchid growers and discover the best orchids for growing in the home. Visit vendors to select from a fantastic array of orchids and shop for orchid growing supplies including specialty potting mixes and fertilizer.

February 27: Butterflies

Tuesday, January 16 1 pm—2:30 pm

READ & EXPLORE: ART AND GARDENS BOOK GROUP

FEE: Included with admission Join us as we discuss Dr. Mark Plotkin’s Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice and explore the plants in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Described as a skillful blend of travel adventure, botanical and cultural history, and Amazonian research, this book is sure to lead to lively and eye-opening discussion. The afternoon will begin with a docent-led tour of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, exploring the tropical plants used by indigenous people, followed by a discussion of the book. Limited to 20 adults. RSVP to 616-975-3144 or skilroy@meijergardens.org.

Photo courtesy of John Ball Zoo.

EVENTS

Saturday, February 10 1–4 pm

WINTER FAMILY DAY

FEE: Included with admission Bundle up for an outdoor adventure and be our guest in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden for an afternoon of wintry fun for all ages! We’ll have plenty of hot chocolate to keep you warm and loads of activities to keep you busy: • Observe a sculptor transform a block of ice into an amazing piece of ice art • Add a touch of paint to create a picturesque winter scene on snow • Create an eco-friendly mosaic on the snow with seeds • Discover fascinating facts about creatures of the night on the naturalist walk

Saturday, March 17, 10 am, 12:30 or 3 pm Sunday, March 18, 1 pm

WHO AM I? A BUTTERFLY BALLET

In collaboration with Grand Rapids Ballet Sponsored in part by Jesse and Gia Budrick

FEE: $5 per child and adult member, $8 per child and adult non-members Free for ages 2 and younger To see the butterfly exhibition additional general admission fees apply. Choreographed by Attila Mosolygo and performed by members of the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company. Mark your calendars now for a thoroughly delightful butterfly ballet. Told through the eyes of a newly emerged butterfly, the story will captivate young and old alike. With colorful costumes, spectacular music and exquisite choreography, this enchanting performance will provide a unique and memorable experience. To register, visit meijergardens.org/calendar.

Saturdays, February 10 OR February 24 (Ages 3 and older) 10–11:30 am

ANIMAL ADVENTURES: SURVIVING IN THE WILD

In collaboration with John Ball Zoo

FEE: $5 per child and adult members, $7 per child and adult non-members Have fun exploring the survival techniques of a Chaco tortoise, hooded rats, emperor scorpions, and a New Caledonian gecko. Enjoy watching live animal presentations, listening to animal stories, completing art projects, playing animal games, and trying your luck at animal challenges. Perfect for ages 3 to 6, but all ages are welcome. Come in from the cold and have some fun! Reservations are required and can be made online at meijergardens. org or jbzoo.org, or by calling Meijer Gardens at 616-975-3144 or John Ball Zoo at 616-336-4300. 16

CONTACT Main 616-957-1580 Toll free 888-957-1580 MeijerGardens.org

CANCELLATION POLICY

Withdraw from a class at least 30 days in advance, a refund is issued minus a $5 processing fee. Withdraw 7 to 29 days in advance and receive a 50% refund. Less than 7 days, no refund. Call 616-975-3147 for class cancellations due to severe weather.

EVENTS T U E S DAY N I G H T S AT M E I J E R G A R D E N S

A FEBRUARY AFFAIR

What to do this winter? We’ve got the cure for cabin fever. Get out of the house and visit Meijer Gardens on Tuesday nights, all February long. Our events will entertain, educate, and enliven. This winter we will be featuring: Roll in the Dough, and Sight and Sound. Great for social networking, date night, or as a gift! All tickets include admission to the event, food, and drinks.

EVERY TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

6 7

9 10

13 14

16 17

20 21

23 24

27 28

Tuesdays, February 6 or 13 6:30–9 pm

ROLL IN THE DOUGH

FEE: $60.00 members, $65.00 non-members It dates back to antiquity and remains a modern staple: pasta, versatile, expedient, and enhanced to deliciousness by individual creativity. Our friends from The Local Epicurean, “America’s Hand Made Pasta Company,” welcome you to learn how to make this simple, yet dynamic fare from scratch. Come roll in the dough, enjoy spirits, premade ravioli, and take home the pasta you make with your own hands. Learn a skill you can enjoy for years to come. Food and drinks are all included in the ticket price. Reserve by calling 616-975-3151 or online at www.meijergardens.org/calendar.

Tuesdays, February 20 or 27 6:30–9 pm

SIGHT AND SOUND: FEATURING MUSARTE DUO

Photo by Katherine Salavatori.

FEE: $50.00 members, $55.00 non-members MusArte Duo is a unique performance combining live painting and music. Paint along with artist Marlene Boonstra as she guides you through a nature scene in the style of Monet, while listening to the lilting sounds of Gail Saldatori on the violin. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and libations will be provided, and at the end of the evening Marlene’s finished painting will be raffled off, so not only will you walk away with your own original work of art, but perhaps Marlene’s as well. Canvases, paint, and brushes will be provided, but participation in painting is optional; if you prefer, you can just sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds. Food and drinks are all included in the ticket price. Reserve by calling 616-975-3151 or online at www.meijergardens.org/calendar

EVENTS

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

HOURS Tuesday, 9 am–9 pm Monday–Saturday, 9 am–5 pm Sunday, 11 am–5 pm

CONTACT Main 616-957-1580 Toll free 888-957-1580 MeijerGardens.org

September 15, 2017–January 7, 2018 RODIN AND THE CONTEMPORARY FIGURATIVE TRADITION Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) was among the most revolutionary figurative artists in history. Coinciding with the centenary of his death and his universal recognition as the most avant-garde sculptor of his age, this exhibition examines his relevance and vibrancy among Contemporary figurative sculptors. The exhibition features loans of Rodin’s artwork as well as artwork from current figurative sculptors.

Anders Krisár. Untitled, 2014–15. Acrylic paint on polyester resin, polyurethane, oil paint, board, wood plugs, and screws. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Emily Young. Dark Forest Head I, 2013. Photo by Angelo Plantamura. Courtesy of Bowman Sculpture.

Rolf Jacobsen. Recovery of Icarus, 2016. Wood and gesso. Photo courtesy of the artist.

November 21, 2017–January 7, 2018 CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS

Trees and displays represent 42 cultural celebrations. See pages 4–5 of Seasons for details.

MEMBER HOLIDAY PARTIES

Space is limited. Choose one of three ways to RSVP: Go online at http://bit.ly/FMGholiday17, or email rsvp@meijergardens.org, or call 616-974-5222. The events are free of charge for members and guests allowed under your membership level. Regular admission prices apply for non-member guests.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

November 20, 6–8 pm

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

HOLIDAY FAMILY PARTIES

November 26 AND December 3, 11, 17, 6–8 pm

ADULT HOLIDAY PARTY

November 27 7–9 pm, cash bar, DJ and photo booth (18 and over only)

Entire facility is open until 9 pm December 18–23, and December 26–30 PLEASE NOTE: Meijer Gardens is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

CHRISTMAS CABARET—Holiday Gala

December 7, RSVP required. Contact Matt Eickhoff at 616-975-3168 or meickoff@meijergardens.org

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS SANTA VISITS

November 21 and 28, December 5, 12, 19, 5–8 pm

THE ORIGINAL DICKENS CAROLERS

November 21 and 28, December 5, 12, 19, 6–8 pm

ROOFTOP REINDEER

November 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 1–4 pm

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS February 2–April 29, 2018 DRAWN INTO FORM: SIXTY YEARS OF DRAWINGS AND PRINTS BY BEVERLY PEPPER

SPRING BUS TRIP

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS: SOCIETY PREVIEW

Wednesday, January 31, 6–8 pm. By invitation only.

MEMBER OPENING Beverly Pepper. Untitled, 1964. Ink on paper. Photo by Chuck Heiney.

PROGRAMMING FIVE GREAT WOMEN SCULPTORS

Sunday, March 18, 2 pm Sue Eberle, Ph.D., Professor of Art History, Kendall College of Art and Design FEE: Included with admission Monumental sculpture is often closely associated with men. However, throughout the history of Modern sculpture many important female artists, including Beverly Pepper, have worked in a large scale. Join us for a discussion of five female sculptors—Beverly Pepper, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Louise Bourgeois, Barbara Hepworth, and Louise Nevelson—and their giant impression on the history of art.

Thursday, February 1, 6–8 pm Beverly Pepper is among the most celebrated Contemporary sculptors, yet her works on paper are largely unknown. Join Chief Curator and Vice President for Collections and Exhibitions on a journey that covers more than six decades of drawings and prints. From the streets of postwar Rome to public plazas and parks across the United States, investigate the amazing achievements of this legendary artist.

A MAKER’S PERSPECTIVE: ARTIST-LED GALLERY WALKS Tuesday, March 13, 6 pm Mariel Versuis, Professor of Printmaking, Kendall College of Art & Design Tuesday, April 17, 6 pm Adam Wolpa, Visual Artist specializing in printmaking FEE: Included with admission Join us for a gallery walk with the insight of an artist. Each walk will focus on Beverly Pepper’s transition from her early work of observation drawing to her mature-artistic style of bold abstraction. Gain understanding into the techniques of many of the artworks in the exhibition including lithographs, etchings, layered paper collages, monotypes and modified mixed media prints. Exhibition programs are drop-in and registration is not required.

Beverly Pepper. Untitled, 1960. Ink on paper. Photo by Chuck Heiney.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Beverly Pepper. Untitled, n.d. Charcoal and paint on paper. Photo by Chuck Heiney.

Photo by Nick Fochtman.

Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 am–8:30 pm

PRAIRIE-STYLE GEMS OF CHICAGO’S WESTSIDE: JENSEN AND WRIGHT

FEE: $165 members, $185 non-members Join us for a day of prairie-style landscapes and architecture in Chicago. Begin the day with a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s jewel—Unity Temple. This building, constructed in 1908, has been closed to the public for the last two years, undergoing a 23-million-dollar restoration. It is still considered by many as the first modern building in a truly American style. Learn about its unique, egalitarian seating arrangement, and the influence of Wright’s trip to Japan on its design. After your tour, enjoy a relaxed lunch at a newer gem—Inspiration Kitchens, a LEED Gold restaurant, run by a nonprofit seeking to combat homelessness through service industry job training. During dessert and coffee sit back and appreciate an engaging illustrated lecture by Julia Bachrach, the former Chicago Park District Historian and author of The City in A Garden: A History Of Chicago’s Parks and Inspired By Nature: The Garfield Park Conservatory and Chicago’s West Side. She will speak on Jens Jensen and the history of Chicago’s westside parks. Learn that Jens Jensen, the father of prairie landscape architecture, worked with many of Chicago’s most famous architects, including Wright. Jensen is known for his use of organic pathways, native plants and naturalistic settings. Julia will share details about Jensen, Wright and the uniqueness of prairie architecture and landscape design. After lunch, end your day with a leisurely visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory. Spend time exploring the 4.5-acre conservatory, including a tropical house, arid garden, lush fern room and Chihuly installation. Make sure you don’t miss the spectacular spring bulb show in the seasonal display garden. Trip includes transportation, admission, lunch, a boxed dinner on the bus, lecture, and all gratuities. Register at MeijerGardens.org/calendar or call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147. EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

CL ASSES

REGISTER ONLINE AT MEIJERGARDENS.ORG/CALENDAR E-mail classes@meijergardens.org to ask questions. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Non-member class fees include admission to Meijer Gardens for class participants on the day of the class. Fee for extra participant in Child/Adult pairs classes: $17.50 each member, $21.50 each non-member.

Saturday, December 2 (Ages 8+ with Adult) 10–11:30 am

Saturday, December 9 (Age 8+ with Adult) 10–11:30 am

Tuesday, January 9 (Adult) 6–8 pm

GRANDMA AND ME: DECORATE A PUTZ HOUSE WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

GRANDMA AND ME: STAR ZENTANGLE

PROBIOTIC PLANT-BASED CHEESES

FEE: $35 member pairs, $43 non-member pairs Visit the Railway Garden and be inspired by artist Paul Busse’s creative use of natural materials. Look for replicas of more than 30 Grand Rapids landmarks like the Ada Covered Bridge, Fifth Third Ballpark and Voigt House, as well as some famous buildings from around the world. Then work together using natural materials to decorate a two piece paper mâché house, 8.5 inches tall.

Saturday, December 2 (Ages 5-7 with Adult) 10–11:30 am

GRANDMA AND ME: LAS POSADAS AND OTHER MEXICAN HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

FEE: $35 member pairs, $43 non-member pairs Using a paper bag, paper punches and tissue paper, work together to create a luminary to take home and make a mini-piñata with a treat inside. Then learn about the special holiday celebration called Las Posadas and go caroling through the beautifully lit Tropical Conservatory carrying LED candles.

Tuesday, December 5 (Adult) 6–8 pm

PHOTOGRAPHING HOLIDAY LIGHTS

INSTRUCTOR: Cory Olsen FEE: $35 members, $43 non-members Get tips on taking great holiday photographs. Learn the basics, from effective backgrounds and creative angles to light effects and the best time of day. Then put your new skills to work amidst our 300,000 holiday lights. Bring a camera and dress for the weather.

Saturday, December 9 (Ages 3-4 with Adult) 10–11:30 am

GRANDMA AND ME: DECORATE A GINGERBREAD TROLLEY

FEE: $35 member pairs, $43 non-member pairs Visit the Railway Garden to view our delightful trolleys and watch where they go. Listen to a story and play a trolley game, then head into the classroom where you will use frosting, marshmallows and candy to decorate a one-of-akind trolley made from gingerbread! 20

(*) Applies toward MSU Extension Master Gardener education credit.

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

FEE: $35 member pairs, $43 non-member pairs Have fun learning together how to fold and then decorate a simple star shape with Zentangle patterns and designs. Use Micron pens to draw and metallic pencils and sequins to embellish your keepsakes. After class, visit the holiday exhibition to see how many different stars you can find!

Wednesday, December 27 (Ages 6-8) 10 am–12 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Sue Stauffacher FEE: $35 members, $43 non-members Explore the world of non-dairy cheese! Learn how to achieve excellent cultured results using almond, cashew, sunflower seed and soy bases combined with plant-based culturing superstars like probiotic powders, fermented grains, lactic acid, miso and lemon juice. Samples include cheese sauces, crumbly queso fresco and cream cheese.

KIDS’ ART EXPLORATION

FEE: $30 members, $38 non-members Get creative while learning about twodimensional and three-dimensional art! Use oil pastels and colored tissue paper to make a colorful winter scene. Then make two ornaments using natural materials and air-dry clay. Let your ornaments dry at home to paint later. Hang in a window or on next year’s tree!

Saturday, January 6 (Adult) 10 am–12 pm

KOMBUCHA 101

INSTRUCTOR: Geoff Lamden FEE: $30 members, $38 non-members Learn from a master how to make your own great tasting kombucha brew! Geoff Lamden, owner of Sacred Springs, will discuss the history of kombucha and the health possibilities, then dive into problem solving how to safely brew a supply at home. Watch a demonstration to learn the first fermentation process and how to start the culture. Tasting samples included.

Photo by Dean Van Dis.

Saturday, January 13 (Adult) 10–11:30 am

SUCCULENTS AND SAND ART

INSTRUCTOR: Molly Maday FEE: $35 members, $43 non-members Receive a short, docent-led tour of the Earl and Donnalee Holton Arid Garden to view our collection of succulents. Then plant an interesting succulent in each of two glass containers, layering colorful sand for a fun and unique look. Instruction in planting techniques and care requirements included.

CANCELLATION POLICY

CL ASSES

Thursday, January 18 (Adult) 4–5:30 pm

Saturday, January 27 (Adult) 1–3 pm

Saturdays, February 10 OR 24 8–9 am

IDENTIFYING TREES IN WINTER*

CABIN FEVER YOGA

INSTRUCTOR: Kim Bradley Davidson FEE: $30 members, $38 non-members Identify trees long after their leaves have fallen for the season. Examine an assortment of twigs, collected from our gardens and woodlands, and discover the amazing variation in buds, leaf scars, and stem textures. Then use a Winter Tree Finder (yours to keep) to identity the trees. Head outdoors to discover how other characteristics, such as bark, fruit and habit, can provide additional clues.

ORCHID SUCCESS

Sunday, January 28 (Adult) 9:30–11:30 am

Saturday, January 20 (Adult) 9 am–12 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Dusty Brown FEE: $35 members, $43 non-members Start with a short lesson in the classroom, then spend time photographing the best of the best— the beautiful and interesting entries in the Orchid Show—all before Meijer Gardens opens to the public! End the class in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, photographing your favorite orchids from our collection. Bring a macro lens and tripod if you have them. Must be familiar with your camera’s manual functions.

INSTRUCTOR: Wendy Pektunus FEE: $25 members, $33 non-members Learn the simple steps that will ensure success with orchids. Learn how to select the ideal orchid for your home, where it should be grown, the best way to water and fertilize, how to tell if it needs to be repotted, and more. Receive a list of the best orchids for the home and take home a sample of Meijer Gardens’ special potting mix.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

INSTRUCTOR: Diane Carroll-Burdick FEE: $45 members, $53 non-members Bring out the best of your family and friends with tips from professional photographer, author and multi-award winner Dianne Carroll-Burdick. Enjoy a lecture and learn to capture expression, personality and mood through composition and lighting. Bring a camera. Tripod recommended.

Saturday, January 20 (Ages 7-16 with Adult) 10–11:30 am

MINDFULNESS

INSTRUCTORS: from Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness FEE: $10 member child, $15 member adults $13 non-member child, $18 non-member adults Spend time with family members practicing mindfulness in the seasonal beauty of Meijer Gardens. Mindfulness is paying purposeful attention to the present moment with kindness and curiosity. Participants will participate in five different minfulness practices and activities, including Tai Chi for mindful movement and a scavenger hunt.

Scholarship assistance is available. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147.

PHOTOGRAPHING ORCHIDS

INSTRUCTOR: Dean Jefferey FEE: $6.50 members, $14.50 non-members Break free of the snow and join us for a morning yoga session amongst the fragrant flowering plants in the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse. Open to all levels and ages. Bring a yoga mat and water bottle. Pre-registration required.

Saturday, February 10 (Adult) 10 am–1 pm

BEGINNING BONSAI

INSTRUCTOR: Steve Jetzer FEE: $80 members, $88 non-members Learn how to select a tree with bonsai potential, an appropriate pot and the best potting mix. Discover which tools are indispensable and learn wiring and pruning techniques. Receive a Carissa Macrocorpa tree and work in a friendly atmosphere under the expert guidance of the instructor to begin training your own bonsai.

Saturday, February 3 (Ages 6+ with Adult) 10–11:30 am

GRANDMA AND ME: TEA, SCONES AND TUSSIE MUSSIES

FEE: $35 member pairs, $43 non-member pairs Wear your fanciest hat and join us for a fun morning munching on scones, sipping tea, visiting the lovely Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor, and playing Victorian parlor games. Then work together to make a beautiful tussie mussie, a small flower bouquet, to take home.

Tuesday, February 6 (Adult) 6–8 pm

BAKING WITHOUT

INSTRUCTOR: Sue Stauffacher FEE: $35 members, $43 non-members Achieve moist, delicious results even without dairy or eggs. Drawing on recipes from both modern and Depression Era cooks, you will learn how to achieve the binding and leavening properties of fruits, vegetables, soy, flax and other natural healthy substitutes. Samples and recipes included.

Tuesdays, February 13 AND 20 (Adult) 6–8 pm

BEGINNING DRAWING FROM OBSERVATION

INSTRUCTOR: Nick Antonakis FEE: $60 members, $68 non-members Using basic shapes and lighting, get acquainted with hard and soft pencils to achieve images in this two-part class. Learn the principles of drawing including structure, proportion, line and value, with emphasis on shading techniques. This valuable information will help further your drawing skills down the road. CLASSES

CL ASSES

Saturday, February 24 (Adult) 8–9:30 am

Thursday, March 8 (Adult) 6–7:30 pm

Tuesday, March 13 (Adult) 7-8:30 pm

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

GROUNDCOVERS REIMAGINED*

MORE THAN MOORS: THE GARDENS OF SCOTLAND

FEE: $15 members, $23 non-members Join our Director of Horticulture, Steve LaWarre, for a special behind the scenes tour of the Fred and Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. Get a sneak peek of this exhibit before it officially opens. Steve will discuss what goes into putting this exhibition together each year, how the butterflies are received and what happens once they are here. Get your questions answered over coffee and muffins. Space is limited to 20 guests.

INSTRUCTOR: Jeremy Windemuller FEE: $25 members, $33 non-members There’s more to groundcovers than vinca and pachysandra. Discover unique and beautiful groundcovers that will thrive in sun or shade, cover slopes and create a living mulch that crowds out weeds. Receive tips on how to properly plant and maintain groundcovers to ensure success.

Sundays, March 11, 18, OR 25 (Adult) 9–11 am

BUTTERFLY PHOTOGRAPHY

INSTRUCTOR: Dusty Brown FEE: $35 members, $43 non-members Learn techniques for creating fantastic butterfly photos, including lens selection, background choice, composition, light and exposure. Enjoy time alone with the butterflies before public hours begin. Bring a tripod or monopod and a macro and/or telephoto lens. Some photography experience is necessary. Photo by Dean Van Dis.

Tuesday, March 6 (Adult) 6–7:30 pm

GLASS-TOPPED KEEPSAKE BOX

INSTRUCTOR: Gloria Badiner FEE: $70 members, $78 non-members Design and construct a unique glass tile to be inset into a hinged wooden keepsake box. A brief introduction to the use of fusible glasses, tools, cutting, shaping and accessory products will allow class participants to gain both experience and confidence in working with this media. The instructor will discuss how the work is kiln-fired and demonstrate the proper use of glues on art glasses. Choose from a large selection of colored sheet glasses and learn about the use of vitrographs, stringers, confetti, frit and dichroic bits in the production of art glass. Pick up your one-of-a-kind keepsake box later after firing. No prior experience required.

CANCELLATION POLICY

(*) Applies toward MSU Extension Master Gardener education credit.

CLASSES

Photo by Erin Zacek.

INSTRUCTOR: Ian Warnock FEE: $20 members, $28 non-members Enjoy a cup of tea and Scottish shortbread cookies as our favorite Scottish gardener takes you on a virtual walkabout through some of the most famous, as well as the lesser known, gardens in Scotland. Experience the beautiful countryside as Meijer Gardens’ own Lead Horticulturist Ian Warnock leads us on a memorable journey of bonnie Scotland from coast to coast.

Wednesday, March 14 (Adult) 5–7 pm

AN INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE GARDENING*

INSTRUCTOR: Dave Rettig FEE: $25 members, $33 non-members Discover the principles and techniques that make Japanese gardens so unique. Learn about the distinctive pruning methods and principles of niwaki, artfully pruned garden trees. Become inspired to sculpt your own garden trees including pines, conifers, evergreens and deciduous trees. Then watch the instructor demonstrate otoko musubi, a special knot used for bamboo fencing.

CL ASSES

Scholarship assistance is available. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147. Tuesday, April 10 (Adult) 6:30–8 pm

MORE SUCCESS WITH SQUARE FOOT GARDENING*

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Francke FEE: $25 members, $33 non-members For those who already have Square Foot Gardens, gain ideas for new crops to plant, new techniques to try, and start some seeds to take home. Registrants will receive a survey prior to class to identify their biggest successes and challenges for the instructor to address.

EVENT Saturday, March 17 (Adult) 10 am–12:30 pm

Saturday, March 24 (Adult) 10 am—12 pm

MULTI-LAYER BLOCK PRINTING

ROCK PLANTING WORKSHOP

INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Hart FEE: $45 members, $53 non-members Explore basic printmaking with an emphasis on composition. Learn more about creating a strong composition that demonstrates the important balance of positive and negative space. Draw sketchbook thumbnails and choose your favorite to transfer onto an easy-to-carve rubber block, then ink your print. No prior experience necessary.

INSTRUCTOR: Anita Buckowing FEE: $50 members, $58 non-members Create a living landscape inspired by a rocky hillside. Begin by chiseling crevasses out of a chunk of feather rock, then add an assortment of plants that will grow and thrive on your rocky hillside planter. Bring safety glasses and leather or rubber gloves. All other materials provided.

Tuesday, March 20 (Adult) 6 pm–7:30 pm

Tuesday, March 27 (Adult) 6:30–8 pm

BIG IMPACT FROM SMALL SPACES

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING: FOR BEGINNERS ONLY*

INSTRUCTOR: Stacey Hirvela FEE: $25 members, $33 non-members Small spaces provide big opportunity—with the right attitude and know-how. Get 13 easy-toimplement tips that can help you get the most out of your yard, even if you thought it was too hopelessly small to do anything special. With examples from small-space gardens around the world, you’ll be inspired to dream big about any garden space.

SAVE THE DATE Tuesday, April 24, 7 pm

SECCHIA GARDEN LECTURE The Master Lecture Series

FEE: Included with admission Speaker: David Culp Learn how to achieve a nonstop parade of color in your garden by applying the technique of layering—interplanting many different species in the same area so that as one plant passes its peak, another takes over. David Culp will inspire you with ideas from his own 2-acre garden.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Francke FEE: $25 members, $33 non-members Would you like a garden filled with delicious vegetables, fresh herbs, and beautiful flowers without all the work of a conventional vegetable garden? Learn the 10 basic steps of Square Foot Gardening, including how to build a raised bed, create a perfect soil mix, construct a grid and more.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Photo courtesy of David Culp.

CLASSES

Masayuki Koorida. Transmission, n.d. White marble. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Masayuki Koorida: Beyond Existence Friday, May 25—Sunday, August 19, 2018

Masayuki Koorida: Beyond Existence is made possible by

The Meijer Foundation Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION

WINTER 2017-18 Volume 9, Issue 1

24 17-486

Would you prefer to receive Seasons via email? If so, please contact the Development/Membership Office at 616-977-7689 or membership@meijergardens.org.

Well known for sculpture installations like Existence in The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden, Masayuki Koorida has a broad and compelling repertoire. Born and trained in Kyoto, Japan and now living and working in Shanghai, China, Koorida is among the most eloquent voices in Contemporary art. His works speak of both traditions in Asian art yet are often innovative in terms of both materials and form. This exhibition is among the artist’s first in the United States. Both works of sculpture and works on paper will be included collectively, capturing the main stylistic currents of his aesthetic. This exhibition is being developed in partnership with the artist and is unique to Meijer Gardens.

1000 East Beltline Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525

MAY 25–AUG 19

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment and the arts.

UPCOMING