Seasons - Summer 2021 {Vol. 12 Issue 3}

Fred and Lena Meijer took great pleasure from the number of people who have joined the journey that is Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Thousands of people have become members and donors, supporting the advancement of our mission. Due to this kind of generosity, three areas of Meijer Gardens are currently undergoing complete transformation as part of the Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love project. When you come out to visit, you will see the ongoing work to transform these areas.

The BISSELL Corridor is being widened by 12 feet to help accommodate our growth. The corridor’s original design included a serpentine walkway supported by architecturally significant tree forms. Unique “solstice walls” mark the arch of the sun as it passes overhead for the summer and winter solstice. The current expansion is not the first upgrade the BISSELL Corridor has seen. In 2008, the original tile floor needed replacing. Through the generosity of Fred and Lena Meijer, the tile was replaced with a fantastic floor sculpture entitled Beneath the Leafy Crown by artist Michele Oka Doner. The bronze elements you see in the floor represent objects found on a forest floor. The artist created them all by hand in wax, cast them in bronze and personally set them into the floor. Great care is being taken to protect and expand the sculpture as we expand the BISSELL Corridor, to be ready in November of this year.

The Hoffman Family Auditorium and all four sculpture galleries, James Balk II & Shirley Balk Gallery, Bank of America Gallery, Earl & Donnalee Holton Gallery and the Arthur & Elizabeth Snell Sculpture Gallery are also being completely rebuilt. The galleries will gain additional space, higher quality lighting, new floors and better technology to present our sculpture exhibitions. The first exhibition scheduled in the newly remodeled galleries, to be presented in collaboration with internationally acclaimed artist Yinka Shonibare CBE and the Stephen Friedman Gallery, will open on April 1, 2022.

In 2006, a significant gift was given by long-time volunteer Edie Fleming in memory of her husband Larry, to create the Volunteer Tribute Garden (VTG). This garden pays important tribute to the thousands of men, women and children who give freely of their time, talent and energy to bring joy to our members and guests. These contributions to the success of Meijer Gardens are immeasurable. As part of the Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love project, the VTG is receiving some wonderful attention and upgrades. The expanded VTG will contain a new boardwalk, an outdoor classroom above a wetland, greater accessibility and more garden area. The Tribute sculpture by acclaimed Italian artist Oliviero Rainaldi is being reimagined by the artist and will be moved to a new location within the VTG. The boulder honoring Edie and Larry Fleming will return to its home at the entrance of this garden.

The Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall English Perennial Garden is also expanding and taking on a stunning new design by landscape designer, author and lecturer Julie Moir Messervy. Moir Messervy has masterfully worked with the current buildings and new architecture to create a unique and beautiful English Perennial Sculpture Garden. The garden will feature favorites from the past, including Dietrich Klinge’s Model for a Big Sculpture II, and Peter Randall-Page’s Warts and All. New sculptures by Monika Sosnowska and Cristina Iglesias will make their debut this summer. Returning, too, is the Leaping Gazelle Fountain which is located at the intersection of the imaginary arch lines of the sun-inspired Solstice Walls and features sculptures by Marshall Fredericks.

The VTG and the Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall English Perennial Garden will be under construction until spring of 2022. The hardscapes, sculptures and woody plants will be largely installed by late fall 2021. With the planting of the perennials and other plant material in the spring of 2022, the gardens will be ready.

Our appreciation to you, our members, is without limits. You continue to support our mission and make all these things possible.

Gratefully,

David S. Hooker

President & CEO, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park