Seasons - Spring 2020 {Vol. 11 Issue 2} by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

ANNUAL EXHIBITION

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

HORTICULTURE ESSAY

MASTER LECTURE SERIES

Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming

George Segal: Body Language

Into The Glass House

Karen Chapmanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Foliage First

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Spring 2020 Volume 11, Issue 2

WITH GRATITUDE Anniversaries are a cause for celebration. This spring we will celebrate the silver anniversary (25 years!) of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and the 5-year anniversary of The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden. Most importantly, we celebrate the best of the human spirit as embodied in the generous gifts of service, talent and money. Gift giving has made Meijer Gardens possible and positively impacts the lives of everyone who experiences our mission. We are deeply and profoundly grateful for these gifts. We are thankful that Betsy Borre and her friends had the idea to create a botanic garden and that she had the energy to ask Fred Meijer to support the idea. We are thankful for the noble and amazing generosity of Fred and Lena Meijer, and the entire Meijer family, for their many gifts that allow us to express our mission in many different ways. Fred and Lena gave us our mission of the blending of horticulture and sculpture and immediately began serving as volunteers. Fred and Lena continue to inspire us and give us the opportunity to be part of the journey known as Meijer Gardens. Let me share a story. Fred Meijer began collecting sculpture before he was approached with the idea for a botanic garden. He originally became interested in collecting sculpture during his and Lena’s summer trips to Greenville, Michigan to attend the Danish Festival. At the Festival, Fred met sculptor Marshall Fredericks and started acquiring some of his artwork. Fred always intended to share his collection with the world. However, with no place to display the sculptures, they remained in storage. It wasn’t until the opening of Meijer Gardens, in 1995, that the sculptures were available for everyone to enjoy. This story illustrates the motivation behind the generosity of Fred and Lena Meijer. They collected sculpture not for their own personal enjoyment, but rather for the enjoyment of all in what became Meijer Gardens. In fact, all the art and garden collections acquired by Meijer Gardens fit into this model. They were never selected for a singular purpose but were generously given for the enjoyment of all. It’s why Fred and Lena often visited Meijer Gardens to enjoy all the gardens and art. When Fred visited Meijer Gardens, he spent most of his time visiting with people. He saw his and Lena’s gifts as a means to bring people together and experience joy. That is why I believe our mission is also a love story. It represents Fred and Lena’s love of two art forms presented as one experience. It also represents their profound love of all people and their desire to give the community an opportunity to enjoy these art forms. We are so thankful for their spirit of generosity and support. Meijer Gardens can celebrate these anniversaries because you, as our members, have profoundly embraced our mission. You have embraced it by being members and coming out to experience our exhibitions, programming and concerts. You also advocate for us by telling people who have not yet had the opportunity to visit Meijer Gardens that they should take the time to immerse themselves in our art, gardens and programs. Please know we are thankful for your support and what you do to help us further our mission. You are bringing joy to others.

Gratefully in celebration of all these things,

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

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

PRESIDENT & CEO David Hooker

EX OFFICIO MEMBER President of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation Saralyn Coupe Ryan Anderson Debbye Turner Bell Tasha Blackmon Linda Chamberlain Jocelyn Dettloff Scott DeVecht Suzanne Eberle Joy Fossel Meg Goebel Charyn Hain Shane Hansen Todd Harvey Matthew Heynen Tamara Hibbitts Nancy Hickey Ronald Hofman Mike Jeppesen Yang Kim Jeff Lambert Gloria Lara

Tim Liang Elisa Lintemuth Jon March Janet Mason Candace Matthews Mark Miller Laina Mills Mark Mossing Hannah Naltner Bonnie Nawara Doriane Parker-Sims Jim Preston Carlos Sanchez Bill Schoonveld Joe Taber Edward VanDam Kathleen Vogelsang Maryln Walton Daniel Williams Robert Wolford

HONORARY MEMBERS OF SCULPTURE COMMITTEE Miner S. and Mary Ann Keeler

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 EARLY HOURS FOR MEMBERS Saturday, 8 am–9 am Sunday, 9 am–11 am The first full weekend of each month, Meijer Gardens members can take advantage of earlier open hours. The DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop, James & Shirley Balk Café and Wege Library open at regular hours.

SPECIAL FEATURE

25 YEARS OF ALWAYS GROWING, ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, ALWAYS NEW FRED & DOROTHY FICHTER BUTTERFLIES ARE BLOOMING SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

GEORGE SEGAL: BODY LANGUAGE HORTICULTURE ESSAY

INTO THE GLASS HOUSE ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

WAKING UP FROM WINTER 25 YEARS OF PHILANTHROPY EVENTS / EXHIBITIONS / CLASSES

SPRING FLOWERS TO SUMMER CAMPS Cover: Redbud, located within The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden. Photo by Peter McDaniel.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS MAR 1–APR 30, Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming APR 3—AUG 16, George Segal: Body Language

UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS/EXHIBITIONS

JUN–AUG, Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens JUL–AUG, Tuesday Evening Music Club SEP 11–JAN 3, Like New: Art in the Age of Recycling and Beyond

1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 © 2020 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.

6–7 8–9 10 - 11 12 - 13

PHILANTHROPY / MEMBERSHIP

FOLIAGE FIRST

Spring 2020 Volume 11, Issue 2 March 2020—May 2020

4–5

ANNUAL EXHIBITION

MASTER LECTURE SERIES

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

CONTENT

BOARD of DIRECTORS

SEP 16–OCT 4, ArtPrize® at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

14 – 15 16 - 17 18 - 27

25 YEARS OF ALWAYS GROWING, ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, ALWAYS NEW

1981

West Michigan Horticultural Society is formed to unite local garden clubs and build a botanic garden.

The $12.8 million project includes the new East Beltline entrance; Sculpture Galleries; Ram's Garden; Grand Room and Atrium; event space; relocated Gift Shop; new classrooms and parking.

Meijer Gardens joins ArtPrize as the only venue outside of downtown Grand Rapids.

2018

• P eter C. & Emajean Cook Transportation Center opens. • Catering kitchen expansion opens. • Covenant Learning Center opens.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Eve by Auguste Rodin is acquired.

NOVEMBER 25, 2011: FRED MEIJER PASSES AWAY

SUMMER 2019

MARCH 16, 1996: INAUGURAL BUTTERFLIES ARE BLOOMING EXHIBITION

MARCH 19, 1999: 1,000,000TH VISITOR WELCOMED

JANUARY 2001

APRIL 20, 2005: 10TH ANNIVERSARY

The Railway Garden joins Christmas Around the World.

FALL 2010

NOVEMBER 23, 1995: INAUGURAL CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD EXHIBITION

Inaugural chrysanthemum exhibition opens, which will evolve into ColorFall and later be named Chrysanthemums & More!

Richard Hunt dedicates his commissioned sculpture Column of the Free Spirit and opens as the first exhibition, Richard Hunt: American Visionary, in the new Sculpture Galleries.

NOVEMBER 2004

We welcome our first visitors with the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, 40 sculptures, Peter Wege Library, café, gift shop and the Hoffman Family Auditorium

FALL 1998

SEPTEMBER 17, 2000: SCULPTURE GALLERIES OPEN

Betsy Borre became president of the West Michigan Horticultural Society.

APRIL 20, 1995: FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS OPENS

It’s been a quarter century since we welcomed the first visitor to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. What started with Fred and Lena’s vision has grown into an internationally recognized destination that’s drawn millions to West Michigan. This year marks another leap forward with the realization of much of our historic capital campaign, Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate this exciting chapter than to highlight some of the milestones that paved the way over our first 25 years. Join us on April 19-21 as we celebrate 25 years with photos, giveaways and more. Look back all year long at MeijerGardens.org/25.

1998: GARDENS OF ART EXPANSION

1986

SUMMER 2005

Tuesday Evening Music Club launches in the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater.

2001

• G ardens for Generations master plan announced. • Kenneth E. Nelson Carnivorous Plant House opens.

OCTOBER 2006

Volunteer Tribute Garden is dedicated by Fred and Lena Meijer.

APRIL 20, 2015: JUNE 13, 2015: 20TH ANNIVERSARY THE RICHARD & Dedication of Iron Tree HELEN DE VOS by Ai Weiwei. JAPANESE GARDEN OPENS

• U pgraded Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater provides a new support building for more concessions, and restrooms for guests waiting in line. • F rey Foundation Entry Plaza opens. • S tuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden opens with four long-term loans from the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC.

1990

1993

• B etsy Borre asks Fred Meijer to be the Michigan Botanic Garden lead donor and honorary chair. • Meijer, Inc. donates 70 acres of land in Grand Rapids Township at a site that had been considered for a Meijer store.

1995

Connie Snell starts the volunteer program.

SPRING 1996

• E arl & Donnalee Holton Arid Garden opens. • Frey Boardwalk opens.

JULY 1999

FALL 1995

• E arl & Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor opens. • Wege Nature Trail opens. • Gardener’s Corner Gift Shop opens in the space that is now the Kenneth E. Nelson Carnivorous Plant House.

DECEMBER 1996

Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse opens.

Aria by Alexander Liberman is dedicated on a one-mile trail that will later become the Sculpture Park.

SEPTEMBER 1997

Leslie E. Tassell English Perennial and Bulb Garden opens.

1998

• M eijer, Inc. donates additional land for the East Beltline entrance. • Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden opens.

OCTOBER 1999

APRIL 20, 2000: 5TH ANNIVERSARY

The American Horse by Nina Akamu is dedicated.

MAY 16, 2002: SCULPTURE PARK OPENS

SUMMER 2003

Frederik Meijer Gardens is renamed Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with the opening of our 30-acre Sculpture Park, which features 50 major works. Seven sculptors attend the opening.

2007: MAINTAINING THE MASTERPIECE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

• Michigan’s Farm Garden opens. • Art Garfunkel performs the first concert in the new Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater.

This expansion includes a new tram station and the acquisition of Lena's Garden by Dale Chihuly and Beneath the Leafy Crown by Michele Oka Doner.

JUNE 30, 2016: 10,000,000TH VISITOR WELCOMED APRIL 20, 2020: 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Michigan Botanic Garden breaks ground and is renamed Frederik Meijer Gardens.

JUNE 5, 2008: 5,000,000TH VISITOR WELCOMED

JUNE 2004

The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden opens, one of the largest interactive children's gardens in the nation.

APRIL 20, 2010: 15TH ANNIVERSARY Chihuly at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: A New Eden opens.

2017: WELCOMING THE WORLD: HONORING A LEGACY OF LOVE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

This historic campaign raises funds to add a 60,000 square foot Welcome Center, Covenant Learning Center, Peter C. & Emajean Cook Transportation Center, Frey Foundation Plaza, expanded Meijer Gardens Amphitheater and more.

WINTER 2021: WELCOME CENTER TO OPEN

Be among the first to experience the Welcome Center; Daniel & Pamella DeVos Ticketing Center; Peter M. Wege Library; DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop; and Peter C. & Pat Cook Entry Arbor. Look for details in future issues and on our website at MeijerGardens.org/growing.

FOR MORE PHOTOS, VIDEO AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR FIRST 25 YEARS, PLEASE VISIT MEIJERGARDENS.ORG/25. SPECIAL FEATURE 5

Butterflies prepare to emerge from a glass case during a release into the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Photo by Kirstin Volkening. 6

ANNUAL EXHIBITION

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS: Botanic and Sculpture Societies Event By invitation only. Wednesday, April 22, 6–8 pm.

Night of the Butterflies

These members-only events provide the perfect opportunity for you to view the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. Join us from 6–8 pm at one of these family parties: Monday, March 2 Monday, March 30 Sunday, March 8 Monday, April 13 Monday, March 9 Adults-Only Party: Monday, March 16; 7–9 pm Go to bit.ly/BABmember20 to RSVP or MeijerGardens.org/butterflies for more information.

EXTENDED SPRING BREAK HOURS Join us for extended hours during Spring Break.

Monday–Friday, April 6–10, 9 am–9 pm Tuesday Night Lights Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, Tuesdays until 9 pm Bring your flashlight and search for butterflies with us.

Outdoor Children’s Activities In the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden Sunday, March 1—Thursday, April 30 Daylight hours only See page 18 for full description.

Volunteers Wanted. Needed. Appreciated. Various jobs and shifts. Mid-February through mid-May. Contact Valerie Maciejewski at vmaciejewski@meijergardens.org or 616-974-5221. Visit MeijerGardens.org/volunteer for more information.

FRED & DOROTHY FICHTER BUTTERFLIES ARE BLOOMING

Sunday, March 1–Thursday, April 30

Spring temperatures can be unpredictable but it’s always warm and balmy inside the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Step Into the Glass House, a world where thousands of winged wonders have traveled great distances to take flight and delight all who visit. March marks the opening of Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming and the 25-year anniversary of our most popular event, which remains the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States and a perennial point of pride at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. From our soaring five-story conservatory to artful terrariums, this year’s exhibition invites you to explore the captivating world of life under glass. A focal point will be the Wardian case in the Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor, abloom with bromeliads, orchids and ferns. The history of this curious case dates back to 1829, when English doctor and amateur botanist Nathanial Bagshaw Ward innovated what he called a “fern house.” This first glass terrarium, technologically innovative for its time, came to bear his name. A greenhouse in miniature, the Wardian case uses condensation and evaporation to self-regulate climate without an outside water source. Ward’s invention of this enclosed, sustainable environment forever changed the course of modern botany, farming and commerce in the Industrial Era by allowing safe transport of flowers, plants and crops. Next stop on your journey is the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, temporary home to more than 60 species of butterflies and moths. Look for the Observation Station, and release cases reminiscent of Wardian cases, which invite you to witness transformation as butterflies emerge from chrysalides and cocoons to stretch their wings and learn to fly. Every week, more than 800 chrysalides make the long journey from tropical regions in Asia, Central America and South America to Meijer Gardens. As you meander the walkway, stop to spot stunners like the majestic blue morpho, elegant clearwing and impressive atlas moth, with its incredible six-to-twelve inch wingspan. Other points of interest include the monarch caterpillar display in the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse. Look into five terrariums on display and planted with a variety of lush ferns showcasing the magical monarch chrysalis. Peer into plant beds to spot caterpillars munching on milkweed. Learn about the butterfly life cycle with fun facts and hands on activities. Attend events like Tuesday Night Lights, Night of the Butterflies member parties, the Butterfly Ballet and outdoor children’s activities in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming is made possible by

Media Sponsors

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation

Howard Miller Company Foremost Graphics Group The Meijer Foundation

Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts

ANNUAL EXHIBITION

George Segal. Girl Standing in Nature, 1976. Bronze with white patina. Photo by Peter McDaniel. 8

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS: Society Preview and Annual Dinner Wednesday, April 1, 6–8 pm

Join us for a dinner with fellow Society members followed by a gallery conversation with Rena Segal and Jochen Wierich, Curator of Sculpture & Sculpture Exhibitions. By invitation only.

Member Opening Thursday, April 2, 6–8 pm

6:10 pm lecture by Jochen Wierich, Curator of Sculpture & Sculpture Exhibitions begins, followed by a conversation with Rena Segal, George Segal's daughter.. Galleries open and refreshments served at 6:45 pm.

PROGRAMMING Exhibition programs are drop-in, and registration is not required. Please direct questions to Amber Oudsema at 616-974-5225.

Drop-In Workshop: Body Fragment Collages Sunday, April 5, 1–4 pm FEE: Included with Admission Lotus Liu, Education Department Intern Explore our exhibition, George Segal: Body Language, then create your own collage with human figures cut out of magazines. You will learn why the artist used fragmented body images in his artworks, and get creative with colors, shapes and compositions. All materials provided. Best for adults and older children.

Lecture: Body Imagery in Contemporary Art Sunday, May 17, 2 pm FEE: Included with Admission Dr. Suzanne Eberle, Professor of Art History, Kendall College of Art and Design Though the human body has been central to art throughout most of history, modernists often severely distorted or completely eliminated the figure as a subject during much of the 20th century. Then, in the late 1960's, the body returned as a key focus for artists. Join us for this presentation about how and why the body has recently been such a meaningful, beautiful, and often controversial topic for aesthetic investigation.

Drop-In Workshop: Capturing What's Not There Sunday, June 14, 1–4 pm FEE: Included with Admission Becca Guyette, Director of Learning and Engagement at ArtPrize Explore the role of positive versus negative space in this drop-in activity. Check out the exhibition George Segal: Body Language and then use light, line, pencil and paper to create a silhouette of yourself, a friend or an everyday object. For Segal, capturing what is not present was just as important as capturing what is. His monochromatic figures recall snapshots of memories. Having lost family members during the Holocaust, his work sometimes suggests concepts of absence and loss. All materials provided. Best for adults and older children.

Sculpture Walk: Figures in the Gardens Sunday, July 12, 2 pm FEE: Included with Admission Amber Oudsema, Curator of Arts Education Explore the Sculpture Park with Curator of Arts Education, Amber Oudsema, during an hour-long walk, discussing sculptures that focus on the human figure. Learn about how artists investigate the human condition through the body.

GEORGE SEGAL: BODY LANGUAGE Friday, April 3–Sunday, August 16 Experience the complexity of the human experience through the eyes of acclaimed American sculptor George Segal, whose hauntingly lifelike figures in plaster have long captured the attention of the twentieth-century art world. Like windows into the human condition, the work of George Segal (1924-2000) is layered and intriguing. One of the most recognized 20th-century sculptors, he is known for his innovative work with plaster-infused medical bandages, which he used to create lifelike molds from the human body. Casting a second “skin” of his models in plaster enabled Segal to explore a wide repertoire of human expression in sculpture, from the everyday life he observed in New York City to scenes from the Hebrew Bible and recent history. Segal's work is no stranger to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the George Segal Foundation through aquisitions, gifts and a 2004 exhibition. George Segal: Body Language marks our second exhibition of Segal's work, and this time will debut selections from a recent gift to Meijer Gardens of 31 prints from the Foundation and his daughter, Rena. The exhibition showcases Segal’s remarkable versatility across different media, from his trademark plaster sculptures to various print techniques. As you’ll see, plaster proved to be a perfect medium for Segal to reflect on humanity. The process of casting the model implied both intimacy and emotional restraint, empathy and detachment. The artist’s engagement with the human body reveals a sustained and cohesive exploration of body language that plays on the edge of interior and exterior expression. Across the spectrum of sculptures and prints, body parts often overlap and mirror one another, forming a sequence that resembles the choreography of dance. As you stroll the galleries, take note of the different stages in Segal’s working method. Complex sculptural groups of urban life such as Street Crossing and Bus Passengers capture fleeting moments where complete strangers pass one another in an intersection or share a crowded space riding a bus. Throughout his long career, Segal created plaster fragments that suggest the body in stasis or motion, sometimes revealing an erotic gaze. The exhibition brings sculptures into dialogue with paintings, pastels and prints exploring similar aspects of humanity but through multiple color combinations, in shades of light and dark, and in disorienting close-up. With variations of figures in three-and two-dimensional space, Segal manifested a lifelong passion for rendering the mystery of the body and its distinctive language. George Segal: Body Language offers the rare opportunity to celebrate the artist, as well as inspire another look at the many innovative figurative sculptures in our Sculpture Park like Segal’s own Girl Standing in Nature and works by Jim Dine, Kiki Smith, Antony Gormley, Jaume Plensa and others. We invite you to immerse and spend the day with us. George Segal: Body Language is made possible by The Meijer Foundation Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

INTO THE GLASS HOUSE Terrariums have a complex history. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, an East London doctor and amateur horticulturist, is credited with inventing the terrarium. In 1829, Dr. Ward discovered some small ferns that had sprouted in a sealed jar he had been using for insect collecting. This humble jar became the first terrarium. The sealed, glazed-glass container, known then as the Wardian case, quickly became popular in the late 19th century Victorian Era. By 1847, the Wardian case was in regular use by Kew Gardens in England. Cases could be sealed up and placed on the decks of ships, thus leading to the global trade of tea, coffee, rubber, orchids and more. Today, terrariums are a popular way to grow and display plants. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park offers annual terrarium-themed classes. A terrarium style planting can usually be found in the Peter M. Wege Library, and a beautiful example of a Wardian case can be seen in the Earl & Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor. I’ve always been fascinated with terrariums. In elementary school, I remember a glass container that sat in front of a window in the public library. It was a big glass jug that sat on its side, nested in a simple black metal stand. The jug had a layer of pea gravel in the bottom, then a layer of soil. The soil was green where it touched the glass. Moss, ferns and other assorted flora filled the space within, creeping up the walls of the large jug. How someone was able to get everything inside, through the small opening of the jug was baffling to me. Condensation on the inside of the glass would occasionally run down the sides, back to the soil and plants below. A row of reading tables was located nearby, and I probably spent more time gazing into the miniature green world of that terrarium than I did actually reading. I would often imagine shrinking to a tiny version of myself, walking through that humid jungle under glass. I no longer need to imagine walking through a terrarium; the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory is a five-story glass house, the largest of five distinct indoor gardens at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. It is also the oldest garden here, the first planted space to be enjoyed by the public when Meijer Gardens opened 25 years ago, in the spring of 1995. With a footprint of 15,000 square feet and at 65 feet tall, it is the largest conservatory in Michigan. This room has no center support beams, no structure to get in the way of the view. The layout feels natural with its winding

HORTICULTURE ESSAY

stream, three small pond areas, curvilinear pathways, bridges and waterfalls. It is easy to lose oneself among the plantings. Walking through this space is exactly like I imagined walking through a terrarium would be. One of the first things you notice is the rich smell. It’s pleasant, earthy and familiar. It is the smell of soil and of warmth. There is often a fragrant hint of something flowering around the next corner. A stroll through this space is a celebration for the senses—chirping birds, energetic waterfalls, flowing creek, swirling pond and, all around, a dense pattern of color, texture and form. This is a room of trees, fronds and fruit. Eyeglasses fog as the humidity surrounds you. It doesn’t matter that it’s cold outside. It doesn’t matter if there is snow, rain or bright springtime sun, the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory is a consistent 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a large room and upon entering, the walls seem to drop away, leaving the visitor standing in a warm, tropical outdoor space. Guests are often amazed by the size of the room as well as the size of the plants within. Plants here can grow quickly and it is a space of constant transition. Trees outgrow their original locations and the trunks, often the only part left after removal, are left to decompose, becoming host for small orchids, mosses and ferns. It is a curious blend of natural environment and controlled garden. In a sense, it is Meijer Gardens’ own largest terrarium. This spring, in March and April, the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory will once again be center stage for the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition, the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States. More than 60 species of butterflies and moths take flight within this tropical space. The Tropical Conservatory is a curious blend of wild nature and controlled growth. A larger-than-life glass house, a fivestory terrarium that is planted, pruned, watered and fertilized to maintain this balance under glass. The plants in this room have a rich story to tell. A story that weaves an accidental discovery by Nathaniel Ward with the global travels of plants. This grand space provides a means to preserve these plants in a beautiful, fragrant, textural garden. Use your imagination and lose yourself with a walk into the glass house. Essay by Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture

Inside the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Photo by Dean VanDis. HORTICULTURE ESSAY

WAKING UP FROM WINTER Spring has sprung and with it come the signs of the season. It starts slowly. The sunlight lasts a little bit longer and the days get a little bit warmer. Anticipation rises as the earth slowly changes from brown to green and bursts forth with color and life. At Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the signs of spring can be seen across our gardens and grounds. Take a walk outdoors to discover nature and wildlife waking up from winter. Start in the wetlands. In early spring, listen for the tell-tale call of the western chorus frog, wood frog and northern spring peeper, whose “peep” sounds like the jingling of sleigh bells. By the first week of spring, you can hear the call of the red-winged blackbird, a sign of the impending season. Look closely for a flash of red and the traditional harbinger of spring, the American robin,

ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

which is also the state bird of Michigan. Later in the spring, listen for the deep, rattling snore of the northern leopard frogs and see if you can spot a great blue heron or great horned owl. Wildlife isn’t the only thing returning to Meijer Gardens. As the days get warmer, bulbs begin to sprout in the sunniest spots, such as along south-facing walls. Bulbs provide brilliant spring variety but need to be prepared for spring long before they peak. Having been planted in the fall, tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinth bloom with a riot of color after remaining dormant all winter. Elsewhere around the gardens, amazing changes are taking place. Pine buds are elongating into candles as rhododendron and serviceberry flowers slowly unwrap. The petite pink and purple flowers of the eastern redbud are followed by tiny, waxy, heart-

Vibrant and fragrant witch hazel can be found in The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden.

shaped leaves, which will eventually turn into large heart-shaped leaves. Yellow forsythia provides a pop of color. Visit the Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden for bountiful spring bloomers. Purple, pink, white and yellow hellebore bloom early, as do the larger, white snowdrops. Next, walk over to The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden, where the blooms are sure to delight. By late February, the pussy willows near the yatsuhashiâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the zig-zag bridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;are ready for viewing. March welcomes the warm, yellow glow and delicious aroma of the witch hazel, and in late April, the cherry trees are ready to burst with lovely pink blossoms. Highly dependent on the weather, it is difficult to predict exactly when the cherry trees will bloom. Follow Meijer Gardens on social media for updates on the cherry blossoms.

Also arriving by mid-April are warblers, thrushes and rubythroated hummingbirds. Enjoy a moment of stillness as you try to spot these beautiful birds and listen to their song. Another traditional sign of spring at Meijer Gardens are the gaggles of baby geese wandering the Japanese Garden and elsewhere on our grounds. Be sure to admire them from a distance! Spring is an abundant time of year at Meijer Gardens. From bulbs to birds, flowers to frogs and everything in between, Meijer Gardens shines as it wakes up from winter. As you admire the plentiful nature and wildlife on our grounds, take a moment to also appreciate the masterpieces of sculpture that fit perfectly into their natural environments. In springtime at Meijer Gardens, everything truly is Always Growing, Always Beautiful, Always New. ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHT

BECOME PART OF MEIJER GARDENS' HISTORY

A model showcasing the design of the new Welcome Center is located in the Peter M. Wege Library.

YOUR NAME ETCHED IN GRANITE

We invite you to consider joining the 270+ donors of $1,000 or more to the Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love capital campaign. Donors making gifts of $1,000 or more will have their names included on a sizeable etched-granite donor wall in the new Welcome Center. Names will be listed in alphabetic order, not by giving level. You will also receive an invitation for two to a special Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love Celebration & Dedication Event in summer 2021. Also note that there are other name recognition opportunities beginning at the $5,000 level. To ensure the granite donor wall is completed in time for the grand opening, we will need your gift or signed pledge commitment no later than June 1, 2020. To make a gift and add your name—or that of someone that you wish to honor or remember: 1. V isit us online at MeijerGardens.org/donate. Select Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love from the menu and follow the link to donate. 2. P lease mail your check made payable to Meijer Gardens to: Liz Preville Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 1000 East Beltline Ave., NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 3. C all 616-974-5242 to charge your gift by phone or request a pledge form. For general questions or more information about naming opportunities, please contact Anne Benson, Director of Philanthropy, at 616-975-3177 or abenson@meijergardens.org. Contributions will be divided between our sculpture acquisition fund and the Welcoming the World Endowment Fund.

PLEASE NOTE Gifts of any size will be recognized in alphabetical order in the Courtyard Level of the new Welcome Center. Because this donor wall will not be granite, there is more time to compile donor names. If you make your gift by 12/31/2020 using the same methods listed above, your name will be included. Gifts of all sizes are important and much appreciated! Will you join us?

PHILANTHROPY/MEMBERSHIP

GREAT GARDENS PARTY WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020, 6–9 PM

The Great Gardens Party is the signature springtime fundraising event at Meijer Gardens. Wine and dine with friends and colleagues, enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a sit-down dinner. Each year, the Great Gardens Party offers silent and live auctions for fantastic items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. All proceeds support Meijer Gardens’ mission of promoting the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment and the arts. There are many ways to participate: • H ost a table for 10 people by becoming an event sponsor. Sponsorship levels include Blossom ($10,000), Bud ($6,000) or Seed ($3,000). • Donate an item for the silent auction or live auction. Unique or experiential items are preferred. • Purchase event tickets for yourself, friends, family and/or clients at $100 each. For more information, contact Matt Eickhoff, Fundraising Events Manager at 616-975-3168 or meickhoff@meijergardens.org. You may also find information online at MeijerGardens.org/GGP. We hope to see you there! Concert Tickets Raffle Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win two reserved-seat concert tickets for the entire 2020 Summer Concert Series. To celebrate our 25th year, tickets will be just $25 each or five tickets for $100! For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Matt Eickhoff at 616-975-3168 or meickhoff@meijergardens.org. Corporate Partners Correction: Country Inn & Suites Grand Rapids East and Vista Springs LLC were inadvertently omitted from the Corporate Partners listing in the Winter 2019/2020 edition of Seasons. We thank them and all our Corporate Partners for their support!

QUARTERLY TRIBUTES The following gifts were received between October 1 and December 31, 2019. Those honored or memorialized are shown in bold type, while the donors are in regular type.

IN HONOR Guy Bailey Brandi Coulombe Bruce Baker Rod & Janet Kivell

Maximillion "Maxy" Kathleen M. Scaglione

Betty M. Ferro Spectrum Health Neuroscience

Walter J. McVeigh Pamela McVeigh

Bernice Greco Karen & Dave Grabowski Grandville Fire Department Grandville Public Schools Harriett Keast Katy Smith Whispering Springs Condominium Association

Dan & Linda Ballast Bradford Ballast Ken & Pat Betz Ron & Carol Gerritsen Michael Brams Tina Woltil Andrea & J.D. Collins Karen Helm Geraldine Eggleston Richard & Jean Eggleston

IN MEMORY

Joseph Boland Nancy Josephine Cameron

Don Herman Joseph & Lisa Becherer Jim Karsina Joseph & Lisa Becherer

Ellen Anderson Richard Anderson

Rita Kiel Tracy Hedberg

Beverly Barrett Susan Campbell

William Matlock Connie Boss

Adela Ochoa Angela & Anthony Ochoa Stella Royce Joseph & Lisa Becherer Dr. Christopher & Charlotte Southwick William & Gay Adams Jordan Tozer Jan & Jeffrey Tozer Helen Wade Becky Denton Ginger McIntosh Jyl & Randy Molle Jim & Sheryl Siegel Edith Vasu

CHRISTMAS CABARET JAZZES UP THE HOLIDAYS On December 4, 2019, Meijer Gardens hosted its annual holiday gala; Christmas Cabaret, presented by Van Dellen Steel, Inc. Guests strolled through the Metro Health Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition and were treated to an evening of fantastic food, wine and cocktails and a jazzy holiday performance by Edye Evans Hyde and the Terry Lower Trio. With over 500 guests present, Meijer Gardens raised more than $130,000 in support of our mission, through tickets sales, donations and sponsorships from the generous individuals and organizations listed below. Event photos may be viewed at: bit.ly/FMGCabaret19 This link will be live until May. The event’s success was made possible by the following generous donors: PRESENTING SPONSOR

WINE SPONSOR

POINSETTIA SPONSORS

DOUG MEIJER & KENDALL MEIJER MISTLETOE SPONSORS

HOLLY SPONSORS Aquinas College BHS Insurance 2019 Christmas Cabaret. Photo by Anthony Norkus.

Burcon Chiropractic and Massage

Fence Consultants

Meijer Inc.

Grand Valley State University

Lena Meijer

J.C. & Tammy Huizenga

MeXo & Zoko822

Cascade Engineering

The I.C.N. Foundation

Miller Johnson Attorneys

Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation

InnoValuation LLC

Bill & Pat Mills

Insignia Homes

Priority Health

Materials Testing Consultants

John & Vicky Weller

Deloitte DK Security

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY: Ellis Parking Company Northpointe Bank

Sharon Van Dellen

Gilson Graphics

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.

Warner Norcross + Judd

Metro Health

Jim & Marie Preston

CHRISTMAS CABARET COMMITTEE: Committee Chair: Linda Chamberlain Committee Members: Amy Assenmacher, Tammy Clark, Tami Hibbitts, Mike Jeppesen, Doriane Parker-Sims, Jo-Anne Perkins, Sharon Van Dellen and Jill Walcott

Guests at the 2019 Great Gardens Party. Photo by Anthony Norkus.

We hope you’ll join us for this year’s Christmas Cabaret event, to be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Mark your calendars! PHILANTHROPY/MEMBERSHIP

A stone path winds through a foliage-focused garden. Learn more about putting foliage first with the 2020 Secchia Garden Lecture.

HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION

FOLIAGE FIRST: THREE EASY STEPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR LANDSCAPE AND CONTAINER DESIGNS While she’s formally trained in microbiology and virology, Karen Chapman likes to say she grew up with a trowel in her hand and horticulture in her heart. After graduating university in England, she worked in cancer research but longed for more time in her garden. Little did she know her career path would lead to just that. This passion for plants inspired Chapman to train as a certified professional horticulturalist and establish Le Jardinet, where she specializes in creating artistic plant combinations and coaches clients on how to curate their dream outdoor spaces. Her signature style is to “design and delight” by removing stress and guesswork from landscape design and cultivating the power of observation and the confidence to make it meaningful. That’s where the magic lives. When not consulting, Chapman is a sought-after instructor, lecturer and writer who’s been featured in national gardening publications like Fine Gardening, Country Gardens, Sunset and Garden Design. She’s also co-authored two books with Christina Salwitz: Fine Foliage, which earned the gold medal from the Garden Writers Association, and Gardening with Foliage First. Chapman’s latest book is Deer Resistant Design and showcases 13 gardens across the United States. We’re thrilled to listen and learn from her when she visits Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Chapman will give a lecture and lead workshops, beginning with Foliage First for the Secchia Garden Lecture on April 21. Fueled by her work in one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading nurseries, the lecture will explore three simple yet simply profound steps—spotlight, highlight and limelight. Chapman will demonstrate how to design a garden framework of foliage, then layer in flowers, berries and other intriguing natural elements to create artistic vignettes. Through striking photographs and illustrations, she’ll share how to apply this trademark technique in containers and gardens of all shapes and sizes. And rest assured, she promises success for gardeners of all skill levels. Chapman's books will be available for sale and signing following the lecture. The day after the lecture, Chapman will be conducting two additional workshops, Deer-Resistant Drama and The Squish Factor: Designing Abundant Containers. In the first, she’ll share eight tips for creating a thriving garden amidst deer without the use of fences. Where wildlife can create chaos, Chapman builds structure by selecting plants that sustain their presence, refocusing attention from existing damage and deterring wildlife with sculpture, pathways, retaining walls and other structures they cannot damage. When it comes to containers, Chapman will impart her distinctive design process for creating tightly-packed, visually daring displays of plants that look great on day one and last all season. Part math, part art, the process incorporates a foliage framework, proven winners, herbs, groundcovers, perennials, annuals and more in a masterfully mapped out design that leaves no visible soil or room for weeds. In Chapman words, “There’s more to containers than pink petunias.” Join us and see. For workshop information and pricing, see the Classes section on pages 22-23.

The Master Lecture Series SECCHIA GARDEN LECTURE Tuesday, April 21, 7 pm Speaker: Karen Chapman

FEE: Secchia Garden Lecture is free for members, general admission for non-members. Workshops have additional fees. Registration required for lecture and workshops at MeijerGardens.org/calendar. Please direct lecture registration questions to Shelly Kilroy at skilroy@meijergardens.org or call 616-975-3144. Captioning service will be provided for the lecture. This annual lecture is made possible by the Secchia Family. HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION

EVENTS

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

LENA MEIJER CHILDREN’S GARDEN

MICHIGAN'S FARM GARDEN

March 1–April 30, Daylight hours only

Tuesdays: April 14–28 10 am

Activities During FRED & DOROTHY FICHTER BUTTERFLIES ARE BLOOMING

Saturday, February 29, 10 am OR 12:30 pm Sunday, March 1, 12 pm OR 2:30 pm

WHO AM I? A BUTTERFLY BALLET In collaboration with Grand Rapids Ballet Sponsored in part by Jesse and Gia Budrick and Karl and Patti Betz

FEE: $5 per person for members, $8 per person for non-members Free for ages 2 and younger Regular fees apply for general admission into Meijer Gardens. Don’t miss this thoroughly delightful butterfly ballet. Told through the eyes of a newly emerged butterfly, the story will captivate young and old alike. Participate in interactive dance activities before the performance and take advantage of photo-ops on stage with the dancers afterward. With colorful costumes, spectacular music and exquisite choreography, this enchanting performance will provide a unique and memorable experience. Choreographed by Attila Mosolygo and performed by members of the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company. Registration required. Register online at MeijerGardens.org/calendar or call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147. An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided for the 10 am performance on Saturday, February 29th. Reservations for this service are required. To reserve your space, call 616-975-3184 or 616-974-3147, or email classes @meijergardens.org by February 24th.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Withdraw from a class at least 30 days in advance and recieve a full refund minus a $5 processing fee. Withdraw 7–29 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. 18

EVENTS

FEE: Included with admission Butterflies are blooming for all ages in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Activities vary daily. Check at the Information Center for the schedule. Throughout the Lena Meijer Children's Garden: · Experience the life cycle of butterflies and moths with creative costumes. · Create a unique design using colorful scales on a giant butterfly wing. · Engage in spring-themed story times. · Navigate the Butterfly Maze. In the Log Cabin: · Perform a butterfly-themed puppet show. · Complete a giant butterfly puzzle.

Saturday, April 18 1–4 pm

EARTH DAY–EVERY DAY!

FEE: Included with admission Celebrate Earth awareness the Children’s Garden way. Activities include: · Investigating the world we live in with a unique Naturalist Walk. · Listening to interactive stories all about appreciating the Earth. · Exploring vermiculture and participating in a kid-friendly worm hunt. · Celebrating the natural world with an ecofriendly art project.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 5-20 10:30 am

SPRING-THEMED PUPPET SHOWS

FEE: Included with admission Join us for fun, family oriented, spring-themed puppet shows! These interactive, outdoor shows invite participants to use their imaginations as they journey with a butterfly through the Children's Garden, explore sculptures and learn about metamorphosis.

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

SPRINGTIME WALKS

FEE: Included with admission The Farm Garden will be the focus for these wonderful springtime walks for preschoolers and their families. Themes include: · Finding out About Farm Animals · How Does the Farm Garden Grow? · Old-Fashioned Farm Fun Each week, kids will explore the Farm, participate in hands-on activities and listen to fun farm stories. Hope to see you down on the Farm!

Tuesday, May 5 1–2:30 pm

READ & EXPLORE: ART AND GARDENS BOOK CLUB

FEE: Included with admission If you enjoy food, plants and history you will want to be sure to join us for our spring book group. This May we will read and explore Daniel Stone’s The Food Explorer: The True Adventures of the Globe-Trotting Botanist Who Transformed What America Eats. While we discuss the fascinating life of botanist and explorer David Fairchild, we will also explore some of the foods he brought to America—foods that forever expanded the American palate. Registration required. RSVP to skilroy@meijergardens.org or call 616-975-3144. Limited to 20 adults.

SUMMER CONCERTS FIFTH THIRD BANK SUMMER CONCERTS: MEMBERS-ONLY PRESALE

Saturday, May 9 10 am–12 pm

Member presale: Saturday, April 25 at 9 am; presale ends Friday, May 8 at 11:59 pm On sale to public: Saturday, May 9 at 9 am As spring approaches, we invite you to look forward to warm weather and beautiful sunsets in the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater. The full lineup for the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens will be announced in mid-April. Visit MeijerGardens.org/calendar for updates.

JUST FOR MOMS

Tuesdays in July & August, 7 pm

FEE: Included with admission Treat your mom (or another special person in your life) to a morning of unique Mother’s Day activities in the Children’s Garden. Activities include: · Listening to a variety of stories focused on appreciating moms. · Enjoying “Mom and Me” music time. · Crafting colorful flower crowns to wear together.

TUESDAY EVENING MUSIC CLUB

FEE: Included with admission Save the date for Tuesdays in July and August— join us in the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater for the best live, local performances. Sponsored by Meyer Music, Hop Insurance Agency, WYCE and Corporate Live.

EVENTS BUS TRIPS

THE RICHARD & HELEN DeVOS JAPANESE GARDEN SATURDAYS: May 16, June 13, July 11, August 15, September 19, October 17 11:30 am or 2 pm

JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY IN THE TEAHOUSE

Photo by Midwest Wanderer.

Photo by Loop Chicago.

Thursday, April 30, 6:45 am–7:30 pm

Thursday, May 14, 7:30 am–10:30 pm

ART GLASS IN KOKOMO

MONET AND EL GRECO: A DAY AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

FEE: $155 members, $175 non-members Join us as we tour Kokomo Opalescent Glass, Co., one of America’s oldest art glass companies, established in 1888 and in continuous operation ever since. Its primary product is opalescent sheet glass, including many types produced for Louis Comfort Tiffany. Many of the early glass formulas are still used today, and the production process has changed very little. Watch as glowing hot glass is hand-ladled and rolled into sheets. The factory now includes a Hot Glass Studio, added in the late 1990s, producing quality hand-blown and hand-cast functional and sculptural objects made of glass. Enjoy lunch at a local favorite, Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery, known for its handcrafted beer and house smoked barbecue. Our afternoon stop, the Seiberling Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built by entrepreneur Monroe Seiberling in the Romanesque Revival style. He was attracted to the area by the offer of free natural gas for those who would locate factories in Indiana when a huge reserve was discovered in the 1880s. Three plate glass factories were among the many factories that he established. This elegant Victorian home features ornate interior woodwork and, of course, many beautiful examples of stained glass windows that have survived to this day, some of which were made using glass from KOG. The trip includes an en route talk by glass artist, Gloria Badiner. Fee includes transportation, a snack en route to Kokomo, restaurant lunch, boxed dinner on the bus, guided tours, and all gratuities. Safety considerations: All participants must wear thick-soled shoes. No high heels, open-toe shoes or sandals are allowed. Please be aware that the factory floors are rough and uneven in some areas. Dress for the weather as the factory is not climate controlled. Guests will need to be able to navigate stairs and stand for approximately 90 minutes. Register at MeijerGardens.org/calendar or call 616-975-3147 or 616-975-3184.

FEE: $170 members, $190 non-members Experience an unforgettable day of art at the renowned Art Institute of Chicago! Sit back and enjoy the ride to Chicago, stopping for a mouthwatering brunch at Summer House Santa Monica. Named as the Best Place for Brunch in Lincoln Park, Summer House gives the feeling of warmth and the laid-back atmosphere of the West Coast. The menu is California-inspired with the focus on local, sustainable farming and seasonal specialties, including their signature fresh-baked pastries. Following brunch, arrive at the Art Institute to view two spectacular exhibitions: Monet and Chicago and El Greco: Ambition and Defiance. The Monet exhibition is the first to explore Chicago’s pioneering connection to the great Impressionist artist. View over 65 paintings on display, from beloved major works to rarely seen still life paintings, figural works and seascapes. This show is sure to please any Impressionist enthusiast. Also enjoy an exhibition of over 55 El Greco works from around the world. Learn about El Greco’s distinctive style and his astounding ambition. Follow his training from traditional Byzantine icon painting, to his time spent painting alongside Renaissance masters in Venice and Rome, to the culmination of his career in Spain. Save time to explore other areas of the Art Institute’s extensive collections that may interest you, from African masks to modern American paintings, or head just outside the museum doors to shop at stores on the “Magnificent Mile.” Before heading home, grab an early dinner at Café Moderno, or walk to the nearby Corner Bakery for a cup of coffee and a quick bite. Fee includes transportation, a snack of a muffin and bottled water en route, brunch, museum and two special exhibition admissions, audio tour and all gratuities. Dinner is on your own. Register at MeijerGardens.org/calendar or call 616-975-3147 or 616-975-3184.

FEE: $50 members, $60 non-members (Register early. Space is limited.) Registration required at MeijerGardens.org/calendar or call 616-975-3147. Witness the Japanese art of chanoyu, or tea ceremony. Graceful Japanese tea masters, in elegant kimono, will perform the ceremonial cleansing of the utensils, thoughtful preparation and quiet presentation of a bowl of matcha (finely ground green tea), with commentary by a representative from the Japanese Consulate. After the presentation, savor traditional sweets and matcha green tea. As an integral part of this experience, all guests will utilize and enjoy original works of Shigaraki pottery from Meijer Gardens’ permanent collection. Each object is a work of art especially commissioned from many of Japan’s leading ceramic masters. This contemplative ceremony appeals to all five senses and is best observed quietly. Guests will be asked to remove their shoes before entering the teahouse.

SUNDAYS: May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, 1–4 pm, weather permitting.

INSIDE THE JAPANESE TEAHOUSE

FEE: Included with admission Experience the tranquil ambience and exquisite architecture of our authentic Japanese Teahouse on the third Sunday of the month from May to October. Take special note of the master carpentry, contrasting woods, patterns, textures, and numerous distinctive details. This opportunity is included with admission. Guests will be asked to remove their shoes before entering the teahouse.

Photo by Peter McDaniel.

Wednesday, May 20 6 pm

ANNUAL MEETING

Everyone is welcome to attend the annual meeting at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. EVENTS

E V E N T S & C L AS S E S BONSAI SHOW & WORKSHOPS

More information about these workshops at MeijerGardens.org/calendar.

Saturday, May 9: Vendors 9 am–5 pm, Displays 12–5 pm Sunday, May 10: Vendors and Displays, 11 am–5 pm

MICHIGAN ALL STATE BONSAI SHOW

FEE: Free admission to show Join bonsai artists, aficionados and admirers from across the Midwest to see stunning bonsai on display in the Huizenga Grand Room. Visit the sales area for a great selection of specialty tools, pots, wire and bonsai trees. Have the experts help you find the tree that fits your taste, experience level and growing environment. Be sure to attend free demonstrations offered throughout the weekend. Bonsai artists, including this year’s guest artist, Mauro Stemberger, will demonstrate pruning, wiring, and other styling techniques. Mauro is an international award-winning bonsai artist and instructor from Italy. He travels around the world to share his bonsai passion and talents, and we are privileged to have him as our guest artist this year. Mauro will be teaching two “Bring Your Own Tree” workshops to help bonsai artists style and refine their trees. Additional workshops, designed for all skill levels, are available during the weekend. Register early—they fill quickly!

SATURDAY, MAY 9 9:30 am–12:30 pm

1:30–4 pm

KOREAN HORNBEAM FOREST WORKSHOP

HARLAND BOXWOOD WORKSHOP

INSTRUCTOR: Ronald Milostan FEE: $160 members, $170 non-members Experience level: Intermediate to advanced Maximum: 8 participants Ron Milostan, current president of the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society, with 25+ years of experience, will lead class participants in creating a forest in the Chinese style of Penjing using Korean Hornbeams. All materials, including trees, prepared tray, wire and bonsai mix are provided.

10 am–1 pm

‘TIGER BARK’ FICUS FOR BEGINNERS & BEYOND WORKSHOP

INSTRUCTOR: Bill Struhar FEE: $80 members, $90 non-members Experience level: All Maximum: 8 participants Learn the basics of bonsai working with ‘Tiger Bark’ Ficus. Each tree will be analyzed as a group for different design possibilities. Various bonsai techniques will be used to shape and trim each Ficus to start on the path towards the desired design. Trees will be repotted, and instructions on future care will be provided. All materials, including a Ficus, wire, screen, bonsai mix and bonsai pot are provided.

CANCELLATION POLICY

INSTRUCTOR: Mark Fields FEE: $80 members, $90 non-members Experience level: All Maximum: 10 participants Harland boxwoods are native to southern China and are immune to boxwood blight. Each participant will receive a tree with a ½–¾” trunk diameter with great corky bark! Trees will be repotted into 6” ceramic pots, cut and styled. Receive instructions on future care. All materials, including Harland boxwood, ceramic pot, wire and bonsai mix are provided.

2–5 pm

BRING YOUR OWN TREE WORKSHOP

INSTRUCTOR: Mauro Stemberger, Guest Artist FEE: $50 members, $60 non-members Experience level: Intermediate to advanced Maximum: 8 participants Bring one or two bonsai and work on styling or refining your trees with expert guidance from guest artist Mauro Stemberger. Mauro will discuss each tree, give each student an assignment and then provide one-on-one assistance. Bring your own tools and appropriate wire.

Withdraw from a class at least 30 days in advance and receive a full refund minus a $5 processing fee. Withdraw 7–29 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. 20

EVENTS & CLASSES

Photo by Tim Priest.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 11:30 am–1:30 pm

‘SHIMPAKU’ JUNIPER WORKSHOP

INSTRUCTOR: Ken Huth FEE: $65 members, $75 non-members Experience level: All Maximum: 10 participants ‘Shimpaku’ junipers are one of the best varieties of juniper for bonsai. Ken Huth will provide nicely developed junipers, and he will assist in evaluating the possible bonsai styles for each tree. Trees will be repotted, trimmed, and styled into starter bonsai. Bring a pen and notebook to take notes. All materials, including ‘Shimpaku’ juniper, 2-3-gallon nursery pot, bonsai mix and wire, are provided.

1:30–3:30 pm

JAPANESE FLOWERING APRICOT WORKSHOP

INSTRUCTOR: Jim Beck FEE: $60 members, $70 non-members Experience level: All Maximum: 14 participants Japanese flowering apricot trees are a classic flowering tree used in bonsai. This tree species presents many opportunities for developing into a beautiful bonsai. Trees will be trimmed and styled, but not repotted since it is not the appropriate time of year to repot this species. Bring a pen and notebook to take notes. All materials, including Japanese flowering apricot tree, bonsai pot and wire, are provided.

2–5 pm

BRING YOUR OWN TREE WORKSHOP

INSTRUCTOR: Mauro Stemberger, Guest Artist FEE: $50 members, $60 non-members Experience level: Intermediate to advanced Maximum: 8 participants Bring one or two bonsai and work on styling or refining your trees with expert guidance from guest artist Mauro Stemberger. Mauro will discuss each tree, give each student an assignment and then provide one-onone assistance. Bring your own tools and appropriate wire.

CL ASSES

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

REGISTER ONLINE AT MEIJERGARDENS.ORG/CALENDAR Questions? Email classes@meijergardens.org. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Non-member class fees include admission to Meijer Gardens for class participants on the day of the class.

( ) Applies toward MSU Extension

Master Gardener education credit.

Saturday, March 7 (Adults) 9:30 am–1:30 pm

Tuesday, March 17 (Adults) 6–7:30 pm

Saturday, March 21 (Adults) 8–9 am

BEGINNING VEGETABLE GARDENING BOOTCAMP*

MAINTAINING THE PERENNIAL GARDEN*

CABIN FEVER YOGA

INSTRUCTOR: Greg Dunn FEE: $40 members, $50 non-members Starting from the ground up, learn methods for preparing your site and the importance of good soil. Discover how watering, fertilizing, pest management and selecting the best varieties of plants will ensure an abundance of vegetables all season long. The benefits of “super soil” and composting will also be discussed. A half hour break will be given.

INSTRUCTOR: Jeremy Windemuller FEE: $25 members, $35 non-members Receive expert advice on how to make your perennial garden look its best. Discover which plants should be deadheaded and when to do it, how to properly irrigate, which plants should be cut back in the fall, and how to deal with pests and diseases. Also receive tips on drainage, soil amendments and fertilizers.

Saturday, March 21 (Adults) 10 am–12 pm

THINK SPRING: ADDING FLOWERING HERBS TO YOUR GARDEN*

INSTRUCTOR: Connie Hanson FEE: $40 members, $50 non-members Looking to add some color to your garden? Learn about unique flowering herbs that are easy to grow and have both culinary and medicinal uses. Along with an informative recipe handout, each participant will take home seeds for several easy-to-grow annual flowering herbs including calendula, nigella, and climbing nasturtium. Participants will make an aromatic Indian spice blend called panch phoran and receive ideas on how to cook with it, and will take home a container of Calendula and Comfrey Healing Salve.

INSTRUCTOR: Dean Jeffery FEE: $7 members, $17 non-members Break free of the cold and join us for a morning yoga session among 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 is required.

Sunday, March 22 (Adults) 9–11 am

BUTTERFLY PHOTOGRAPHY

INSTRUCTOR: Dusty Brown FEE: $30 members, $40 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.

Tuesday, March 24 (Adults) 6–7:30 pm

SMART PLANTS FOR THE POLLINATOR GARDEN* Tuesday, March 10 (Adults) 7–8 pm

LECTURE: PEONIES FOR THE GARDEN*

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. David Michener FEE: $15 members, $20 non-members Discover the rich assortment of colors, shapes, sizes, blooming times, and fragrances that peonies provide in the garden. Dr. Michener, author of the book, Peony: The Best Varieties for Your Garden, will reveal some of the most beautiful cultivars available and how to enjoy their gorgeous blooms for weeks by growing the three main types— tree, bush and intersectional. Learn about The Peony Garden at Nichol’s Arboretum, featuring the largest public collection of historic herbaceous peonies in North America. Then receive tips on how to grow them, from soil preparation and sunlight requirements to fertilization, to ensure that peonies will be long-lived perennials in your garden. Peony: The Best Varieties for Your Garden will be available for purchase in the gift shop and a book signing will follow the lecture. About the speaker: Dr. David Michener is the Associate Curator at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Garden and Nichols Arboretum. He is co-author of Taylor’s Guide to Groundcovers and has written articles for Horticulture magazine. Dr. Michener is a nationally sought-after presenter and an authority on peonies. His own garden has appeared in several publications and he has led garden study tours in Asia, Europe, New Zealand, and North America.

INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Finneran FEE: $25 members, $35 non-members Pollinators are essential to our environment and the food we eat. Join MSU Extension Horticulture Educator Rebecca Finneran to explore a wide palette of plants as well as conservation techniques that encourage pollinators. By choosing the right plants and adopting “Smart Gardening” behaviors, home gardeners help our native bee and insect populations thrive.

Tuesday, March 31 (Adults) 6–7:30 pm

SUCCULENTS FOR THE GARDEN*

INSTRUCTOR: John Scholten FEE: $25 members, $35 non-members Learn about the different kinds of sedums, from low groundcovers to the best new varieties of showy stonecrop. Discover stunning combinations and compatible accent plants, and also learn about maintenance requirements. Then explore succulents that are perfect for patio pots, such as mangaves, echeverias, aloes and more. These beauties require no pampering. CLASSES

CL ASSES

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

SPRING BREAK CLASSES Tuesday, April 7 (Age 3 with Adult) 10-11:30 am

GRANDPARENT AND ME: TOTALLY TURTLES

FEE: $18 member child, $18 member adult $22 non-member child, $22 non-member adult Find out what turtles eat, where they live and how they move through group art activities, songs and a story. Visit with a live turtle and decorate a turtle shell to wear! This class is for age 3 only with an adult.

Tuesday, April 7 (Ages 6–7 with Adult) 10-11:30 am

GRANDPARENT AND ME: CARNIVOROUS PLANTS

FEE: $18 member child, $18 member adult $22 non-member child, $22 non-member adult Learn together about this unusual group of plants by playing games, observing samples up-close with magnifying glasses, listening to carnivorous plant stories and creating an art project.

Wednesday, April 8 (Ages 4–5 with Adult) 10-11:30 am

GRANDPARENT AND ME: WAKE UP SPRING!

Saturday, April 18 (Adults) 8-9 am

HELLO HYDRANGEAS!*

SPRINGTIME YOGA

INSTRUCTOR: Tony England FEE: $30 members, $40 non-members Nothing draws attention in the garden like a hydrangea in full bloom! Let one of Meijer Gardens’ talented horticulturists guide you through the process of growing stunning hydrangeas. Learn the characteristics of different species, including maintenance tips and choosing the right plant for the right space. Acquire proper pruning techniques for several varieties as you watch a short demonstration out in the garden.

Tuesday, April 14 (Adults) 6-8 pm

PLASTER CAST TILES

INSTRUCTOR: Becca Guyette FEE: $30 members, $40 non-members Join this fun 2-hour workshop to learn about plaster techniques used throughout history and be inspired by the artwork of George Segal, who first developed the use of plaster bandages as a sculptural medium. Participants will explore works by the artist in the exhibition George Segal: Body Language, hear a short lecture and then create two plaster cast tiles using a pressed clay technique and found objects. All materials provided. Plaster tiles will set on site and may be picked up at a later date and painted on your own at home.

CLASSES

INSTRUCTOR: Dean Jeffery FEE: $7 members, $17 non-members Join us for a refreshing and meditative session of yoga with instructor Dean Jeffery. This class will be held indoors with a peaceful view over our wetlands. Bring a yoga mat and water bottle. All levels welcome.

Saturday, April 18 (Adults) 9:30 am-12 pm

BEGINNING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

INSTRUCTOR: Tabitha Blanski FEE: $40 members, $50 non-members Learn tips and basic techniques for taking great photographs. Listen to an informative talk about the exposure triangle: shutter speed, aperture and ISO, and learn the basics of digital photo organization and storage. Then spend some time shooting outside as Tabitha guides you around Meijer Gardens to capture the beauty of spring. Bring a camera and dress for the weather.

Saturday, April 18 (Adults) 10 am-2 pm

ART JOURNALING ADVENTURE

INSTRUCTOR: Katie Reitemeier FEE: $65 members, $75 non-members Whether you’re a beginning or seasoned Art Journaler, this class will enhance your skills in building expressive backgrounds, incorporating pop-up and pockets, using gel plate and stamp printing techniques and incorporating easy, stylish hand lettering. Take home a 60-page journal for your ongoing practice. All materials provided.

Wednesday, April 22 10:30-11:30 am

DEER-RESISTANT DRAMA*

Wednesday, April 8 (Ages 8–9) 10-11:30 am FEE: $25 members, $35 non-members Use the app Book Creator to combine text, images, audio and video into a fun digital keepsake. Take and embellish creative still lifes using unique Meijer Gardens’ themed props, action shots, trick shots and videos. iPads will be provided for use in the class.

Master Gardener education credit.

Wednesday, April 1 (Adults) 3–5 pm

FEE: $18 member child, $18 member adult $22 non-member child, $22 non-member adult Find out why spring is such an important season! Learn about our friendly pollinators, native Mason bees and make a bee house to hang in a sunny location. Then, pot a "beeutiful" plant in an ice cream cone to plant near your bee house and attract our winged friends. Check out other plant parts and insects using hand magnifying glasses and microscopes.

IPAD PHOTOGRAPHY FOR KIDS

( ) Applies toward MSU Extension

Plaster Cast Tiles examples.

CANCELLATION POLICY

INSTRUCTOR: Karen Chapman FEE: $15 members, $25 non-members Join Karen Chapman, the presenter for the 2020 Secchia Garden Lecture and author of Gardening with Foliage First and DeerResistant Design, as you learn time-and taste-tested design strategies for your garden. Karen will highlight tips and tricks that will help you create a beautiful fencefree garden that thrives despite the deer in this presentation followed by a Q&A and book signing.

CL ASSES

( ) Applies toward MSU Extension

Master Gardener education credit.

Wednesday, April 22 1-2:30 pm

Saturday, April 25 (Adults) 10 am-1 pm

Mondays, May 4, 11, 18 (Adults) 5:30-8 pm

THE SQUISH FACTOR: DESIGNING ABUNDANT CONTAINERS*

GEL PLATE PRINTING

BEGINNING NATURE WATERCOLOR: FLOWERS, FOLIAGE AND WATER

INSTRUCTOR: Karen Chapman FEE: $25 members, $35 non-members Join Karen Chapman, the presenter for the 2020 Secchia Garden Lecture and author of Gardening with Foliage First and DeerResistant Design, as you discover how to create big, bold, and bodacious designs every time. Karen will also highlight tips for deerresistant combinations in this presentation followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Thursday, April 23 (Adults), 4-8 pm OR Friday, April 24 (Adults), 2-6 pm

NATURAL DYES: INDIGO TABLE RUNNER

INSTRUCTOR: Megan Williams FEE: $60 members, $70 non-members Learn to dye with natural indigo in this handson workshop. Explore the beautiful blue that can be achieved with two types of fermentation vats and the process of building darker shades. We will discuss and experiment with shibori techniques and make a lovely table runner to take home. Leave with recipes, shibori-dyed samples and a dyed table runner. Limited to 12 students. All materials provided. Dress appropriately, as dyes will stain.

INSTRUCTOR: Katie Reitemeier FEE: $75 members, $85 non-members If you enjoy playing with color and pattern, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love exploring the endless designs you can create using gel plate printing. Gel printing is a form of monoprinting that uses layering of paint, stencil and texture tools on a silicone plate to create printed papers that can be used for card making, collage and art journal pages. Students will learn the basics of gel printing and take home their own gel plate and brayer (a $25 value) along with their printed pages. Leaves will be used as a foundation for creating beautiful botanical prints. All materials provided.

Tuesday, April 28 (Adults) 3:30-5:30 pm

THE MOST RELIABLE PERENNIALS FOR SHADY GARDENS*

INSTRUCTOR: Barb Balgoyen FEE: $30 members, $40 non-members That shady spot in your garden doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be bare! Learn to select and care for the best shade-loving perennials. From foliage to colorful blooms, discover tips to ensure your success all summer long.

Tuesday, April 28 (Adults) 6-8 pm

FABULOUS PERENNIALS FOR SUNNY GARDENS*

Indigo Table Runner example.

Saturday, April 25 (Age 4-5 with Adult) 10-11:30 am

GRANDPARENT AND ME: CHERRY BLOSSOM ART

FEE: $18 member child, $18 member adult $22 non-member child, $22 non-member adult Spend time together in the Japanese Garden with a spring search-and-find: flowering cherry blossoms appearing, fiddleheads of ferns unfurling, early spring flowers blooming, robins and chickadees exploring. Then use colorful tissue paper to paint a spring cherry blossom scene.

INSTRUCTOR: Barb Balgoyen FEE: $30 members, $40 non-members Discover perennials with long lasting blooms, dazzling colors and fabulous foliage. Be inspired by winning combinations for a gorgeous garden from early spring through late fall. Learn tips to ensure your success all season long.

Tuesday, April 28 (Adults 21+) 6-8 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Hart FEE: $105 members, $115 non-members Become acquainted with basic watercolor materials and techniques using the natural world as an inspiration in this three-part class. Learn to block-in your subject and use layering techniques to fuse colors. Take advantage of small group instruction and paint something new each evening; flowers, foliage and water. Demonstration, practice time and individual guidance will be built into each class session. Limited to 12 students. All materials provided.

Tuesday, May 5 (Adults) 6-7 pm

SPRINGTIME YOGA

Monday, May 11 (Adults), 6:30-8 pm OR Tuesday, May 19, 4-5:30 pm

LOVELY LAVENDER*

INSTRUCTOR: Connie Hanson FEE: $40 members, $50 non-members Many would agree that lavender is the most useful herb in the garden! It is grown for easy landscaping, fragrance, as a food for pollinators and as an addition to many foods. In addition to learning all about lavender, guests will sample foods made with lavender, make a flavorful Herbes de Provence Blend and take home three unique varieties of lavender including Hidcote, Provence and Munstead.

THE JOURNEY FROM AGAVE TO TEQUILA

INSTRUCTOR: Don Ferguson and Eve Choi FEE: $25 members, $35 non-members With Cinco de Mayo just a week away, join us to learn more about blue agave and the journey it takes to make tequila. To begin, Eve Choi, Curator of Horticultural and Environmental Education, will give participants a behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the agave plants in our collection and explore what makes blue agave unique. Next, Don Ferguson, Co-CEO of Teeq Tequila, will highlight the craftmanship required to produce this distinctive spirit and host a tasting of three tequila varieties. Light snacks will be provided. All class participants must be 21+ and bring a valid state-issued ID for age verification. CLASSES

CL ASSES

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

Master Gardener education credit.

Wednesday, May 13 (Adults) 6-7:30 pm

Thursday, May 28 (Adults) 2-5 pm

Saturday, May 30 (Adults) 9 am-2 pm

PLANT A HANGING HERB BASKET*

SPRING FORAGING

WATERCOLOR BOOTCAMP IN THE JAPANESE GARDEN

INSTRUCTOR: Gwen Hughes FEE: $40 members, $50 non-members Start out with a visit to the Michigan’s Farm Garden to view the herb plantings, weather permitting. Then, back in the classroom, plant a hanging basket filled with culinary herbs including parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and basil. Receive tips on how to use these culinary favorites and how to care for them, ensuring a bountiful harvest.

Tuesday, May 19 (Adults) 6:30-8 pm

BASIL, BASIL, BASIL*

INSTRUCTOR: Connie Hanson FEE: $40 members, $50 non-members This class offers students an eye-opening look at this easy to grow annual herb. Learn not only about cooking with this flavorful plant, but also about the many varieties available. We will also discuss how this plant can be used to add color and texture to your gardens and containers. Participants will sample several foods made with basil and make a jar of All-Purpose Seasoning. Guests will also take home a sample of Roasted Basil Salt (and learn how to make your own!), and three basil plants, including Italian Sweet Basil, Red Rubin Purple Basil and unique Pesto Perpeto Basil.

Wednesday, May 20 (Adults) 1-5 pm

WET FELTING: PAINTING WITH WOOL

INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Forzley FEE: $65 members, $75 non-members Unleash your inner Monet and learn to create a beautiful Impressionist-style painting using wool fiber. Kathy will demonstrate how to prepare the wool base, discuss techniques for adding colors represented in your photo and show you how to create different flower and leaf shapes while adding small pieces of fabric, silk, wool nepps and other creative embellishments. Finish the process by using soapy water and wet felting techniques. Your finished piece can be mounted on canvas, framed or made into a pillow cover. Limited to 12 students. Bring a photo for inspiration. All other materials provided. Some rolling of felt required. 24

( ) Applies toward MSU Extension

CLASSES

INSTRUCTOR: Maggie Conklin, ND FEE: $35 members, $45 non-members Join Maggie Conklin, of Heirloom Academy, as you learn more about the abundance of “wild foods” in Southwest Michigan and discover how sustainable foraging can be a powerful way to deepen your connection with the natural environment. A combination of outdoor and classroom instruction highlighting the seasonal identification and ethnobotany of these plants will challenge participants’ thinking on what makes a plant a weed. All class participants will receive information and resources to guide future foraging endeavors. Bring a notebook and dress for the weather. Expect a fair amount of standing and walking.

Thursday, May 28 (Adults) 5-8 pm

DRAWING THE HUMAN FORM

INSTRUCTOR: Megan Kellner FEE: $50 members, $60 non-members Practice drawing the human form from life in this introductory figure drawing class. Learn about gesture drawing and proportion, using charcoal as a medium. All materials provided. We will be working from a live nude model. All levels of experience welcome.

Friday, May 29 (Age 6+ with Adult) 7:30-9 pm

FAMILY NIGHT HIKE: ALL ABOUT OWLS

FEE: $10 member child, $15 member adult $13 non-member child, $18 non-member adult Do you ever wonder who is waking up just when you are going to sleep at night? Have you ever wanted to go owling? Join us for an evening tour looking for owls on the grounds of Meijer Gardens. We will learn about some of the most common owls found in Michigan and learn some tips and tricks to make your own yard more appealing as an owl habitat. Join Sally Triant, from Grow Wise Learning, for an owl adventure for the whole family. Bring your flashlight and come dressed to explore in all kinds of weather.

CANCELLATION POLICY

INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Hart FEE: $110 members, $120 non-members Start with a short lesson in the classroom then head outside to capture flowers, trees, water and sculpture. Create mini-landscapes or work up close to your subject in this tranquil environment. At the instructor’s discretion, a break will be given during class to briefly review work and enjoy a snack in the café. Limited to 12 students. All materials provided. This class includes a mini watercolor set to keep (a $25 value) and a voucher for a snack in our café. Expect a fair amount of standing and walking.

Saturday, May 30 (Adults) 10 am-12:30 pm

LABYRINTH ZENTANGLE

INSTRUCTOR: Marjorie Goosen FEE: $35 members, $45 non-members Walking a labyrinth suggests a relaxing path to discovery, where you can lose yourself in imagination and peaceful exploration. We begin our understanding of labyrinths by tracing a finger labyrinth, a metaphor for life with twists and turns, stopping to reflect and notice as we progress. We will then continue our journey by walking the labyrinth in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Finally, enjoy a guided experience of drawing and creating your own labyrinth suitable for framing. Limited to 12 students. All materials provided. Dress for the weather.

Labyrinth Zentangle example.

2020 SUMMER C AMPS

Your child must fit in the listed age range by the first day of camp. Space is limited! Questions? Call 616-975-3147 or 616-975-3184 or email classes@meijergardens.org.

ONE-DAY CAMPS Monday, June 8 (Age 3 with Adult) 10-11:30

GRANDPARENT AND ME: TOTALLY TURTLES

FEE: $18 member child, $18 member adult $22 non-member child, $22 non-member adult Find out what turtles eat, where they live and how they move through group art activites, songs and a story. Visit with a live turtle and decorate a turtle shell to wear! This class is for age 3 only with an adult.

Monday, June 22 (Ages 9-12) 9 am-2 pm

JAPANESE GARDEN AND ART EXPERIENCE

FEE: $55 members, $65 non-members Start in the Japanese Garden, using iPads for a scavenger hunt, then head back to the classroom to create a mini garden with a Japanese influence. Watch a bonsai artist demonstrate how to wire a bonsai tree, try your hand at calligraphy and watercolor and make a small easel to display your creations. iPads will be provided for use in the camp. Bring lunch and a water bottle.

Tuesday, June 23 (Ages 6-8) 9 am-2 pm

Monday, July 27 (Ages 8-9) 9 am-2 pm

PLENTY OF ART

PHOTOGRAPHING ANIMALS

Monday and Tuesday, June 15 AND 16 (Ages 8-9) 9 am-2 pm

Monday and Tuesday, August 10 AND 11 (Ages 6-7) 9 am-2 pm

Monday and Tuesday, August 10 AND 11 (Ages 4-5) 9:30 am-12 pm

NEW! AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

EVERYDAY EXPLORERS

NEW! COLOR MY WORLD

Tuesday, June 9 (Ages 4-5 with Adult) 10-11:30 am OR 2-3:30 pm

GRANDPARENT AND ME: PLANT PALS

FEE: $18 member child, $18 member adult $22 non-member child, $22 non-member adult Hunt for plants used to make gum, chocolate, baskets and musical instruments. Make an edible sculpture out of colorful vegetables. Then plant a tomato seedling in your own decorated pot to take home and tend all summer long.

FEE: $55 members, $65 non-members Tap into your creative energy! Using a variety of art materials, you’ll work on unique and engrossing projects. Walk to the Japanese Garden to experiment with oil pastels and create an animal with colored clay. Use recyclables and patterned duct tape to create a sculpture all your own. Bring lunch and a water bottle.

FEE: $55 members, $65 non-members Have fun exploring Meijer Gardens and searching for animals to photograph, both real and sculptural. Then use your own photographs to explore color, pattern, and texture through various apps and techniques on an iPad, which will be provided for use in the camp. Bring lunch and a water bottle.

TWO-DAY CAMPS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Become a Junior Herpetologist by creating a field-guide as you learn what makes reptiles and amphibians so amazing and unique! Then, create art that is inspired by these fascinating animals. Enjoy a special “meet and greet” with an amphibian or reptile guest each day. Bring lunch and a water bottle.

Monday and Tuesday, July 13 AND 14 (Ages 10-12) 9 am-2 pm

BUILD A MODEL TREE HOUSE

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Explore Meijer Gardens to gather ideas from our woodlands, sculpture environments, the sculptures themselves and our own Treehouse Village. Make sketches, discuss ideas and problem-solve together: what will your tree house be made of, how will it be attached to a tree, how will it be balanced? Campers will create an 18-inch model to take home. Bring lunch and a water bottle.

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Make your own magnifying glass and then investigate woods, wetlands and meadows using your explorer kit. Paint-stamp an explorer bag to hold all of your findings. Learn to identify birds, bugs and intriguing plants, and examine parts under a microscope. Record your findings in a journal and create nature-inspired artworks each day! Bring lunch and a water bottle.

FEE: $55 members, $65 non-members Go on a “color hunt” and play “I spy” to identify colors in nature. Then hop, skip and spin around the classroom moving to different color cues. Mix and sample several colors of Kool-aid and make a unique color wheel. Match beads to colored clay to create a sculpture all your own to take home! A great camp for “first-time” campers.

Monday and Tuesday, August 10 AND 11 (Ages 6-8) 9 am-2 pm

CURIOUS AND CREATIVE KIDS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Solve a “Critter Clues” mystery, design and build a waterwheel and experiment with the energy of falling water. Then think like an artist and scientist while observing intriguing sculptures and create a unique piece of art using a variety of materials. Bring lunch and a water bottle.

CANCELLATION POLICY

2020 SUMMER C AMPS

Your child must fit in the listed age range by the first day of camp. Space is limited! Questions? Call 616-975-3147 or 616-975-3184 or email classes@meijergardens.org.

FOUR-DAY CAMPS

Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am-12 pm

July 6-9 (Ages 10-14)

July 13-16 (Ages 8-9)

June 15-18 (Ages 4-5)

PHOTO OPS

DYNAMITE DRAWING

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Play silly games and take wacky walks through the gardens. Visit a new spot every day and create sculptures using plaster, clay, sequins, watercolors, and more.

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Combine learning about photography with fun art projects! Explore how to photograph landscapes, close-ups, portraits, and trick shots. Then combine your photos in interesting ways, hand color black and white photos for special effects and create colorful collages.

July 6-9 (Ages 4-5)

July 13-16 OR July 20-23 (Ages 4-5)

CREATURE FEATURE

BUCKETS OF PAINT

SILLY SCULPTURE

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Get to know the animals and sculptures at Meijer Gardens—turtles, frogs, birds and horses and learn the different characteristics of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Take mini walks, listen to stories, play animal games and create unique art projects using colored clay, yarn and paint. Decorate a stick horse and gallop around the room, examine real horseshoes and horse hair, listen to bird and frog calls and more!

July 6-9 OR July 27-30 (Ages 6-7)

PAINT EXPLORATION

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Get out your paint clothes and have fun painting both inside and outside! Learn how to “see” like an artist and sketch a composition. Paint textured trees, colorful flowers, fruit and sculptures using watercolors, acrylics and oil pastels. Make your own paint brush and paint with unusual tools. Learn about warm and cool colors and even mix and name your own color!

July 6-9 (Ages 8-9)

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Use your imagination and a variety of materials such as wood, clay, cardboard, stones and wire to create a house, bridge, sculpture and public building. Discuss landscape design and work together to create and name a miniature city, complete with green space, roads and a river.

CANCELLATION POLICY

CAMPS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Follow paths, bridges and hills to see patterns, textures and colors. Then use this inspiration to create a fun paint project every day. Assemble sculptures out of wood and embellish with paint, use tempera on plexiglass to make prints and use scented paints to create your own garden artwork.

July 13-16 (Ages 6-7)

AMAZING ANIMALS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Take a walk each day to explore animal habitats and look for turtles, woodchucks and birds! Use binoculars to locate hard-to-find critters. Compare animal features, examine real animal pelts, stamp and identify animal footprints and create a dazzling artwork each day—from a colorful fish windsock to painted and bejeweled stick animals.

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Sharpen your drawing skills or learn new ones as you draw landscapes, still lifes and a live dog under the gentle guidance of our art instructor. Add a colorful background to give your drawings some flare! Use pencil, chalk pastels and colored pencil and learn the process and strengths of each material. Complete rough sketches and finished drawings every day.

July 20-23 (Ages 4-5)

JEEPERS CREEPERS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Learn about weird and wonderful insects though activities such as the “Ladybug Munch,” the “Flea Jump” and the “Flyswatter Relay.” Sing a jazzy song to learn insect body parts then examine the insect zoo using magnifying glasses. Work with different textured materials each day to make fun crafts, including a honey bee made from clay and a butterfly from jigsaw puzzle pieces.

July 20-23 (Ages 6-7)

ROCKS AND FOSSILS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Every rock has a story! Learn about rock “families,” fossils, Petoskey stones, rock hardness, rock identification and sculptures made from rocks. Start a rock collection that rocks! Food activities included.

2020 SUMMER C AMPS

Your child must fit in the listed age range by the first day of camp. Space is limited! Questions? Call 616-975-3147 or 616-975-3184 or email classes@meijergardens.org.

FOUR-DAY CAMPS

Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am-12 pm

August 3-6 (Ages 6-7)

CLAY EVERY DAY

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Let your imagination be your guide as you create a new sculpture daily! View part of the Meijer Gardens sculpture collection as inspiration, then bend and twist foil, etch into metal, build with wooden letters, and sculpt with plaster. Learn a new process with each material you work with.

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Roll, squeeze and shape your way through the week as you work with a different type of clay every day. Visit the Michigan’s Farm Garden orchard and make a bowl of fruit using scented clay. Experience the textures in the Rock Quarry, then make your own creature out of sandy clay. Use colorful sparkly clay to create a sculpture inspired by Dale Chihuly’s sculpture Lena’s Garden.

July 27-30 (Ages 4-5)

August 3-6 (Ages 8-9)

July 20-23 (Ages 8-9)

SUPER SUMMER SCULPTURE

MOVIN’ AROUND THE GARDENS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Join us for a fun, active camp experience marching, jumping, dancing and “flying” your way around Meijer Gardens. Explore sculpture with music and art and have fun with obstacle courses and parachute games. Then use your imagination to join a marching band, take frog-sized leaps, learn a pollination bee dance and take center stage as a dancer.

July 27-30 OR August 3-6 (Ages 4-5)

LITTLE DIGGERS

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Pick a vegetable or herb at the farm, start a seed, create an “underground” picture and look at soil using a magnifying glass. Participate in games, listen to stories about the environment and make a nature-inspired work of art each day!

OUTDOOR WATERCOLOR

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Enjoy waterfalls, shady paths and colorful gardens as perfect spots for painting. Learn about composition, brushwork, layering colors and creating the illusion of depth to paint what you see. Different paper weights and mounting of work will be explored. A kid-friendly camp for serious young artists.

August 3-6 (Ages 10-14)

ANIMATED CLAY SCULPTURES

FEE: $85 members, $95 non-members Work in groups to share ideas, write a storyline, create tiny clay sculptures and design a backdrop to produce a short animated film. iPads will be provided for use in the camp.

FIVE-DAY CAMPS

June 15-19 OR June 22-26 (Ages 6-8) 8:30 am-4:30 pm

CAMP KALEIDOSCOPE

FEE: $225 members, $250 non-members Explore the Japanese Garden, Children’s Garden, Farm Garden and Sculpture Park with a kaleidoscope of kid-friendly activities. Make butter, take a tram ride, design boats, get up-close with carnivorous plants, play a survival game, take a wetlands walk, build a 6-foot arch, and create a collection of unique works of art. Get to know Meijer Gardens in a whole new way with new skills, new experiences and endless fun. A snack is provided each day. Bring lunch and a water bottle.

CANCELLATION POLICY

George Segal. Woman in Red Kimono, 1985. Silkscreen. Gift of Rena Segal. Photo by Chuck Heiney.

George Segal: Body Language is made possible by

The Meijer Foundation Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts

28 20-108

HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION

SPRING 2020 Volume 11, Issue 2

Approximately sixty years ago, the young artist George Segal embraced a new working process that catapulted him to becoming one of the most recognized twentieth-century sculptors. In 1962, Segal was included in the legendary exhibition The New Realists, along with Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg, which launched a new movement in art: Pop Art. This exhibition will focus on Segalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarkable versatility in representing body language across different media, including not only his trademark plaster sculptures but also various print techniques. This will be the first George Segal exhibition at Meijer Gardens since 2004 and the first time that a large number of prints, gifted to Meijer Gardens by the Segal Foundation, are on display.

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George Segal: Body Language

1000 East Beltline Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525

APRIL-AUGUST

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

UPCOMING