Gratitude Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a place of beauty and joy for all people. We’ve been graced with considerable resources to promote the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. The gifts take different forms, providing creative ways to be inspired by our mission. In a frequently turbulent world, Meijer Gardens is a significant place of tranquility, healing and hope. It is often stated: “Art can change the world.” Art done well can change the world for the better. Meijer Gardens is the beneficiary of a major gift from The Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, to establish a Holocaust memorial. Ariel Schlesinger’s sculpture Ways to Say Goodbye, a 20-foot-tall aluminum fig tree with shards of glass inserted among its branches, will anchor the memorial. The artwork, dealing with themes of profound loss and grief, will be installed in 2022. The gift is a donation from the Pestka Family, in memory of their father, Henry; the survivors who settled in Western Michigan; and the millions of Jews who perished in the Holocaust. We also have a significant collection dedicated to the children of the Holocaust. In 1998, Leonard and Dora Rosenzweig made a generous gift to establish the Orchid Wall in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, in memory of Anne Frank and the children of the Holocaust. As Dora Rosenzweig stated then, “I hope that people think about Anne and how she believed that life is beautiful and there’s good in all people.” The incredible beauty of thoughtfully cared for orchids will forever serve as a reminder of the tragic loss of more than a million children to the Holocaust. As well, it reflects Anne Frank’s belief that there is beauty in the world. Both extraordinary gifts further our mission. They serve as an important reminder that beauty is
part of healing what divides people. The art and gardens help preserve the memories of all who died and suffered from the Holocaust. I fervently hope these gifts will inspire others to forever end people’s inhumanity to people. We extend our deep appreciation to the Pestka and Rosenzweig families. The performing arts, too, help us give meaning to our mission. Through the beauty of music, the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts, Tuesday Evening Music Club and Jim & Marie Preston Sunday Strings enrich lives. In 2020, our traditional music performances were canceled due to the pandemic. All three series are now actively performing. Positive energy and good cheer are felt from the stage and the audience. Music is truly good for the soul and brings us together, meaningfully. I’m deeply grateful to all our sponsors for their generosity and patience. During your next Meijer Gardens visit, you’ll see the progress of our Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love journey. It’s fun to watch each day as the tradespeople perform their tasks—building new facilities, siting artwork, and creating gardens to further our mission. Thank you for your support and patience as we pursue this expansion. Your Meijer Gardens experiences are made possible by our amazing group of volunteers. These talented, hard-working people are dedicated to serving others. Here’s an inspiring example: I walked into our first Tuesday Evening Music Club performance and was greeted by a group of volunteers. As we enjoyed conversation and listened to the band preparing, my volunteer friends were overflowing with enthusiasm at being able to serve others. To say this was an uplifting moment is an understatement. I hope you noticed Seasons has returned in a printed format, on recycled paper, with new additions and a completely updated look. This is only possible due to the generosity of you—our members and benefactors—and the fact we are once again fully open.
Gratefully,
David S. Hooker
President & CEO, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 2 | LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
