Seasons - Winter 2022-23 | Vol. 14(1)

Igor Mitoraj, Light of the Moon. 1991. Chuck Heiney © Igor Mitoraj, Artists Rights Society (ARS)

The first Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park volunteers were Fred and Lena Meijer and Betsy Borre. Fred Meijer often remarked, “We didn’t know what we were doing when we started the gardens, but it turned out all right.” When Fred and Lena accepted Betsy’s invitation to start a botanic garden, they began a journey to create a place of joy celebrating gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. It would take many ingredients—known and unknown—to make good things happen. One thing was certain, however: Meijer Gardens would only be successful with a robust volunteer program.

Fred and Lena set the tone from the beginning. Betsy continued to help raise funds, serve on the board, and inspire others to get involved and make good things happen. Fred was a constant presence, encouraging others and establishing the structure to create a world-class sculpture collection. He actively participated in this process until his death in 2011. Lena worked hard to establish our annual Christmas exhibition, known today as University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions. Lena could be seen each year decorating her beloved Germany Tree and continued her service until she was 100 years old, when the pandemic kept her at home. Along the way, another remarkable woman, Connie Snell, stepped forward and formally established our volunteer program.

Volunteerism is the active building of human relationships through selfless service to others. Here at Meijer Gardens, it means using one’s time and talent, combined with gardens, sculpture, architecture, resources, and programming, to bring people joy. This is the core of what our mission, given to us by Fred and Lena Meijer, calls on us to do. It’s a high calling—one our volunteers perform exceedingly well and a privilege for me to witness.

This past summer, 45 performances took place in the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater. At each, volunteers were helping people find a seat, credentialing, answering questions, sorting waste, measuring chairs, and educating—all with a smile and good cheer. Music is a fantastic art form, building connections to people from all walks of life. We’re intentional about selecting performing artists who attract a diverse group of people. The work our volunteers perform is essential in bringing everything together, for a rewarding experience.

Meijer Gardens volunteers help in all areas. The warm reception you receive is most likely from a volunteer. Purchase an item in the gift shop? A volunteer likely processed your transaction. Our volunteers are an integral part of all our programming. Volunteers help plant and maintain our gardens, provide docent tours of our exhibitions and collections, and maintain our grounds and facilities. Volunteers are a visible part of almost every facet of our Education team’s efforts. It’s so much fun to see the PALs (Play and Activity Leaders), Bus Buddies and Docents interacting with our guests.

We recently bid farewell to Yinka Shonibare CBE: Planets in My Head. Considerable effort and planning went into this special exhibition to celebrate the opening of our expanded and renovated Sculpture Galleries. Our volunteers helped bring Shonibare’s artwork to life by building understanding of imagery dealing with postcolonialism and other subjects. It’s wonderful the exhibition lives on through the three Shonibare artworks in our permanent collection.

Since Meijer Gardens opened 27 years ago, 4,700 volunteers have donated 1.8 million hours of service to further our mission. Through their service, 13.8 million lives have been positively touched. These are impressive numbers, yet only numbers. What’s important is our guests who’ve been inspired and rewarded by the beauty of our collections—brought to life by our volunteers’ selfless service. It’s truly extraordinary! Our appreciation for our volunteers and the services they perform is deep and sincere. Thank you all.

Fred and Lena gave us a culture that fosters creativity and the willingness to try new things. Our donors and you, our members, provide us the financial resources to try new things. Our Horticulture Exhibitions team has developed what I believe will be an aweinspiring immersive lightshow, influenced by the natural world. Light serves as a metaphor for spiritual meanings in many holiday traditions. Thus, it’s appropriate Seasonal Light Experience is part of the University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition. When you visit, a volunteer will likely make your experience more enjoyable.

Please join me in saying “thank you” to our volunteers for making Meijer Gardens—and the world—a better place.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Honorary Chairman Frederik Meijer (1919–2011)

Honorary Member Earl Holton

President & CEO David Hooker

Ex Officio Member President of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation

Michael Julien

Amy Assenmacher

Peter Baldwin

Rhae-Ann Booker

Linda Chamberlain

Chuck Christmas

Guillermo Cisneros

Duane Shields Davis

Jackie Del Raso

Jocelyn Dettloff

Brad Doan

Suzanne Eberle

Joy Fossel

Paul Goulet

Charyn Hain

Shane Hansen

Todd Harvey

Kevin Jeakle

Mike Jeppesen

Jeff Lambert

Tim Liang

Elisa Lintemuth

Jon March

Kristina Martinez-Precious Candace Matthews

Mary McLoughlin

Tom Merchant

Laina Mills

Mark Mossing Hannah Naltner

Bill Padnos

Doriane Parker-Sims JoAnne Perkins Jim Preston Carlos Sanchez Michael Toth

Susan Vogel-Vanderson Jill Walcott

Maryln Walton Trevor Wolfe Robert Wolford

Gratefully,

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

Title Sponsor University of Michigan Health–West

Lead Railway Garden Sponsor Warner

Additional Supporters

The Meijer Foundation

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation

Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Michigan Arts and Culture Council, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts

Life EMS

Michigan Radio Star 105.7

FOX17

University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions | Light

Tuesday, November 22—Sunday, January 8, 2023

Let your heart be light, this season more than ever! Join us for our 28th annual holiday celebration as University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions illuminates our 158 acres with 350,000 lights, dozens of dazzling evergreens and cultural displays, and our first-ever immersive light show.

New this year, Seasonal Light Experience at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater is a oneof-a-kind visual spectacle sure to spark wonder in kids of all ages. The 20-minute show combines projection mapping technology and laser lights set to a commissioned soundtrack, giving a dazzling new dimension to our beloved annual exhibition. Be sure to bundle up and make the trek out to see it on select evenings in December. (See page 5 for showtimes.)

Indoors, our curated holiday exhibition is equally spectacular. A walk through this winter wonderland illuminates how the power of light connects cultures and traditions. Of special note is our Hanukkah display, celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights. To mark the miracle of the holiday, candles are lit each night of the festival in a special menorah. The menorah has nine candle holders: Eight represent each day of celebration; the ninth center candle, called the shamash, is used to light the others.

The Indian holiday Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. Its true meaning is to rejoice in inner light, symbolized by lighting a small brass lamp called a diya to bring prosperity and good health. The five-day Diwali is observed among Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists between mid-October and mid-November. For many celebrants, it is a time for festive fireworks, lights, flowers, decorations and special worship, known as puja.

In Lithuania, families celebrate with a traditional Christmas Eve dinner called Kucios. Twelve dishes are served, representing the 12 disciples of Jesus. If a family member has died during the past year, an

empty place is set at the table and a candle is lit in remembrance. It is believed the spirit of the deceased family member participates in Kucios

In Sweden, the Christmas season begins December 13 with a traditional Scandinavian festival celebrating the life of St. Lucia, whose name is associated with light across many different traditions. St. Lucia wears a wreath of candles on her head representing hope, warmth and light during the darkest month of the year.

The star is a significant symbol across many cultures. Star-shaped parols light up Christmas in the Philippines. The main symbol of the holiday, these lanterns represent the star of Bethlehem and are unique to the Philippines. Traditionally made from bamboo and paper, many modern parols are crafted from naturally translucent Capiz shells found in the waters of the Philippine Islands.

The Moravian Star, originating in Moravia, located in the eastern area of the Czech Republic, is another stellar example. Its unique multisided, threedimensional form makes it especially intriguing. The star originated in the Moravian Church’s schools as a geometry lesson. From this challenging project, these beautiful star shapes were born and are now used as lanterns during Christmas.

Holiday events are another bright spot. Santa’s Reindeer swoop into Michigan’s Farm Garden to visit November 26 and December 3, 10, 17, and 24. Don’t miss time with Santa himself and the Original Dickens Carolers on Tuesdays, November 22 through December 20, or festive events like the annual Member Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 21; Christmas Cabaret on December 1; and our additional Member Holiday Parties on November 28 and December 4, 11, 12 (adults only), and 18. We can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you and your families!

Seasonal Light Experience Nic Sagodic

Light Up the Night December 19–23

and 26–30, 6–8 pm

Feast your senses upon the Seasonal Light Experience at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater. It’s another first and a family must-see this holiday season.

Prepare to experience the season in a whole new light, from the Seasonal Light Experience at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater. This immersive show brings guests the latest in projection mapping technology, laser lights, and custom music commissioned especially for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. You can experience the innovative, interactive event only at our Amphitheater.

Inspired by the natural world, this outdoor multimedia merriment is the perfect pairing to our intricately illuminated trees, adding new dimension to our beloved annual University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition.

Be sure to bundle up, venture out to the cleared pathways and be among the first to take in the 20-minute light show. Keep warm with hot cocoa for the kids and adult cocktails, along with hot handhelds, snacks and sweets, blazing fire pits, and playful glowing goods from the DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop pop-up, located in the Peter C. & Emajean Cook Transportation Center. While you’re there, note the festive holiday container arrangements and the charming penguins Mom, Dad, and the Kid, by Shirley Thompson-Smith, a favorite of Lena Meijer.

Back inside, warm up in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and a complementing light experience that sets our five-story glass house aglow in pink. With 60 colored LED flood lights lining its perimeter, our iconic conservatory dons a whole new look that’s nothing short of spectacular. Don’t miss it!

The Seasonal Light Experience at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater is free to members and included with admission for guests. Catch it December 19–23 and 26–30, 2022, with light shows running every half hour, from 6–8 pm. Fire pits, ambient lighting and audio will continue through 8:30 pm. We promise to put you in the spirit this season!

Extended Holiday Hours

December 19–23 and 26–30 Please note: Meijer Gardens is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

The Original Dickens Carolers

Tuesdays, November 22–December 20, 6–8 pm

Santa Visits

Tuesdays, November 22–December 20, 5–8 pm

Rooftop Reindeer

Saturdays, November 26, December 3, 10, 17, and 24, 1–4 pm

Member Holiday Parties

Free for Meijer Gardens Members

Tree Lighting Ceremony Monday, November 21 6–8 pm

Family Evenings Monday,November 28 Sunday, December 11 6–8 pm

Family Mornings Sunday, December 4 Sunday, December 18 9–11 am

Adult Only (18+) Monday, December 12 7–9 pm

University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions

Additional Exhibition Programming

Join us as we experience the holidays through the power of light! Learn from our community partners as they share more about the importance of light in their holiday traditions. These events are included in the cost of admission. Registration is not required.

Celebrating Kucios

with Don Astras

Sunday, December 4, 2–3 pm

One of the most important holiday celebrations of the year in Lithuania is Kucios, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Twelve dishes are often served on the table, representing the 12 disciples of Jesus. If a family member has died during the past year, an empty place is set and a candle is lit in remembrance. It is believed the spirit of the deceased family member participates in the Kucios.

Celebrating Hanukkah

with Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids

Sunday, December 11, 2–3 pm

Hanukkah is known as the eight-day Festival of Lights. Candles in a special menorah are lit on each night of the festival. A menorah (middle right) has nine candle holders: Eight candles represent the eight days of celebration and the additional candle, called the shamash, is used to light the others. The lighting of the candles is a reminder of the holiday’s miracle.

Celebrating Diwali

with West Michigan Bengali Cultural Association

Sunday, January 8, 2–3 pm

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration observed among Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists between midOctober and mid-November. The true meaning behind Diwali is to rejoice in the inner light. This is symbolized by lighting a diya, a small brass lamp (bottom right). Lighting a diya is considered highly favorable, bringing prosperity and good health.

University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions

Christmas Cabaret, Three Years Later: It’s Back!

Thursday, December 1, 6 pm

We are excited to celebrate the holiday season— thanks to the generosity of our presenting sponsor, Old National Bank, and supporters like you! This festive evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as you see the season in a new light at the University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition! This year, we’re illuminating the ways in which diverse cultures use light—featuring winter plantings, the artistry of our adorned Christmas and holiday trees, intriguing cultural displays, and the beloved Railway Garden.

The Huizenga Grand Room will be filled with the festive musical stylings of The Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines and our featured entertainer: Brian Vander Ark. During breaks from his work with The Verve Pipe, Brian set out on his own to launch a multifaceted solo career that has included releasing four acclaimed independent studio albums—Resurrection, Angel Put Your Face On, Brian Vander Ark and Magazine —as well as his collections of cover songs called Planet Sunday Sessions, Volume I and Volume II. He’s also collaborated with actor/musician Jeff Daniels on Simple Truths, an album of original Americana songs while continuing to write and record original music with The Verve Pipe, including their most recent independent album, Threads. Following the performance, enjoy handcrafted espresso beverages at our coffee bar.

Join us Thursday, December 1, at 6 pm for all the holiday festivities and live entertainment, and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this event.

To purchase tickets to Christmas Cabaret, presented by Old National Bank, or for more information, please visit MeijerGardens.org/cabaret or contact Maggie Scogg at mscogg@meijergardens.org.

Top and bottom: Anthony Norkus. Middle: Jamie Geysbeek.

The Railway Garden

Changing with the seasons, the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse—one of five distinct indoor gardens at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park—has something beautiful to see all year long. From the early spring Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition, to the beauty of chrysanthemum displays throughout the autumn Chrysanthemums & More!, to the popular Railway Garden during the University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition, the Seasonal Display Greenhouse provides ever-changing experiences.

Winter is the season for the Railway Garden, now in its 24th year and a beloved part of University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions. Trains and trolleys weave their way through a significant winter-themed garden filled with dozens of architectural landmarks, from West Michigan and our sister cities around the world.

The Railway Garden was unveiled for the first time in November 2004. The initial design was based on The Polar Express, a book by Grand Rapids native and author Chris Van Allsburg. That first season, Van Allsburg visited Meijer Gardens, participated in a book signing, and toured the Railway Garden. Included in that first year were 17 Grand Rapids buildings, created from natural materials. The number of landmarks has grown beyond that humble beginning, expanding into West Michigan and Grand Rapids’ sister cities from around the globe.

The buildings and landmarks are truly special. Their fine detail, best described as Botanical Architecture, comes from natural materials. Buildings vary in size and do not follow strict rules for scale or real-life measurement; still, they are wonderfully detailed and incredibly reminiscent of their real-world counterparts. The close observer will notice a seemingly endless number of botanical elements in use: dried gourds, pinecones and pinecone scales, acorn caps, walnuts, cinnamon curls, hickory hulls, mahogany pods, artichokes, grapevine tendrils, seeds and seed hulls in endless varieties, bamboo sticks, thorns, palm stems, reeds, and leaves of all sorts among them.

The featured trains and trollies add a magical component to this space. The 500-foot-long upper track runs overhead through three separate rooms. It takes the train approximately four minutes to travel one lap, completing 15 per hour. The train runs an average of 75 hours weekly, translating to almost 1,000 actual miles each season! Trains are changed out every week for maintenance and to highlight our collection’s wide assortment of engines and rolling stock. Three lower tracks run trolleys at ground level, between buildings and through the garden plantings.

The Railway Garden is a completely immersive experience. The moment you walk beneath the glowing lights of the arched bridge, the walls seem to drop away, leaving you standing in a cool, multilayered textural garden. The smell of cedar fills the air as you become a part of the space. While you take it all in, the scale

of the buildings and the trains become irrelevant: The garden surrounds you, from above and below. It’s home to an eclectic mix of plantings, where you’ll find everything from tropicals to seasonals to intricate ground covers, arranged in detailed streetscapes.

Since its 2004 inception, the Railway Garden has changed and grown immensely. New buildings and landmarks are consistently added as this University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions highlight continues to change and renew. This season’s new botanical architecture feature—in honor of F. Phillip VanEyl—is the historic De Zwaan Windmill from Holland, Michigan, re-created with wonderful detail using natural materials. An authentic, working Dutch windmill, De Zwaan is the oldest of its kind in the United States.

The Railway Garden is a curious blend of trains, gardens, bridges, water features and iconic landmarks. It’s an immersive multisensory garden experience with a wonderful past and growth opportunities for the future. Enjoy the Railway Garden this holiday season as part of University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions.

The Railway Garden is made possible by Warner

Train Engines and Cars

DONATED BY CARL BAJEMA

Meyer May House

Ryerson Library

SPONSORED BY CHRIS AND DEANNA ECKERT

Van Andel Institute

Water Feature Display SPONSORED BY EVERETT’S LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT, INC.

Display Planting Beds SPONSORED BY SUPERIOR GROUNDCOVER, INC Choo Choo Grill

SPONSORED BY HANK & LIESEL MEIJER

Flanagan’s Pub

Fountain Street Church

Fulton Street Power Plant Herkner Jewelers

Ledyard Building

McKay Tower

Pantlind Hotel

SPONSORED BY PETER C. & EMAJEAN COOK FOUNDATION

Peninsular Club

SPONSORED BY RDV CORPORATION

St. Cecilia Music Center

SPONSORED BY DK SECURITY St. James Catholic Church

Standard Federal Building Holland Harbor Lighthouse “Big Red”

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre SPONSORED BY LENA MEIJER

Ada Covered Bridge

Fallasburg Covered Bridge SPONSORED BY SHARON VAN DELLEN

Lit Arch Bridge

SPONSORED BY PIONEER CONSTRUCTION

Temple Emanuel Meijer Family Home

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Voigt House

Augustus Paddock Mansion Jersey Junction LMCU Ballpark

Independence Square Black Star Gate, Ghana

Palazzo Dei Priori, Italy

Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, Mexico

Bielsko-Biala Town Hall, Poland

Chomeiji Temple, Japan

SPONSORED BY MIKE AND SUE JANDERNOA

This year, we have a team looking for an appropriate piece of architecture to represent Gangnam-gu, South Korea—Grand Rapids’ newest Sister City. Ideas are welcome as we look toward the eventual addition of this Sister City in the Railway Garden.

If you’re interested in sponsoring a building or landmark in the Railway Garden, please contact Maggie Scogg at 616-288-0031 or mscogg@meijergardens.org. Railway Garden sponsors will receive an exclusive benefit of two complimentary tickets to our annual Christmas Cabaret event on Thursday, December 1, 2022!

City and County Plaza featuring La Grande Vitesse

SPONSORED BY INSIGNIA HOMES

Grand Rapids Fish Ladder

SPONSORED BY GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Grand Rapids Home

Grand Rapids Building #1

Grand Rapids Building #2

Grand Rapids Building #3

Lena Meijer Farmhouse

De Zwaan Windmill

IN HONOR OF F. PHILLIP VANEYL

University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions

Grand Rapids’ newest Sister City

Double Take: Mel Chin & Elizabeth Turk November 18, 2022–March 26, 2023

There is far more than meets the eye in the work of the featured artists in Meijer Gardens’ winter exhibition, Double Take: Mel Chin & Elizabeth Turk As this title suggests, the exhibited work, while appealing, demands greater than a passing glance to grasp its strange complexity. Also akin to a film production “take,” the work of Chin and Turk provides new versions of familiar themes. Together, their creative explorations offer fresh perspectives on pressing issues such as environmental hazards, endangered species, memorialization, and lost or hidden histories.

In addition to their refined treatment of difficult topics, Chin and Turk share other commonalities. Both are recipients of the revered MacArthur Fellowship—sometimes referred to as a “genius grant”—who accordingly approach their work with deep social responsibility and intensive, often scientific, research. Both work in multiple techniques and media, including with sound and water, to better convey their ideas. And while their art has addressed a wide range of subjects, from popular to obscure, both have intently probed environmental issues including habitat loss, biodiversity, extinction, and the growing threats to water and air.

The artwork at Meijer Gardens focuses on sculpture by Chin and Turk dealing primarily with the natural world.

Environmental concerns have been central to Mel Chin’s work for decades. Most notable is his 1990 Revival Field, a pioneering project in the sphere of “green remediation,” which uses plants to extract toxic metals from the soil. Two works tied to Chin’s ongoing project—Revival Field diorama and Revival Ramp etching—are included in this exhibition. The notion of revival or recovery, literally or figuratively through memory, runs through many of Chin’s pieces on view, from the extinct species in his Conditions of Memory series to the recent Never Forever sound sculpture that conjures up the now-vanished species.

Elizabeth Turk also finds inspiration within nature, most recently in her Tipping Point: Echoes of Extinction series about the compelling plight of extinct and endangered birds. Comprising totemic Sound Columns in wood, aluminum, and bronze, these sculptures visualize the voices of lost, threatened, or once-imperiled birds—the bald eagle, ivory-billed woodpecker, and bush wren among them. Turk’s 2015 Evaporated River installation similarly gives form to an absence within nature, in this case the diminished water that once flowed freely through the riverbeds of California and around the world.

Although beautifully crafted and deeply invested, the art of Mel Chin and Elizabeth Turk confronts us like a frozen accident or crime scene. At once fascinating and unsettling, it forces us to look— again and yet again.

by Suzanne Ramljak, Chief Curator

Mel Chin. Revival Field (Diorama), 2019.

About the Artists

Mel Chin

Born in Houston, Texas, Mel Chin has become known for the broad range of approaches in his art, including works requiring multidisciplinary, collaborative teamwork and those enlisting science as an aesthetic component to developing complex ideas. Chin is one of the artists featured in the first year of the ongoing PBS series Art of the 21st Century. He is the recipient of many awards, grants, and honorary degrees, including the MacArthur Fellowship and election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2021.

Elizabeth Turk

A native Californian, Elizabeth Turk is an artist, known for marble sculpture and through ET Projects immersive art events. Currently, she splits time between a studio in Santa Ana, California, and New York City. She is a MacArthur Fellow, an Annalee & Barnett Newman Foundation recipient, and a Smithsonian Artist Fellow, among other awards. Turk received her Master of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art, Rinehart School of Sculpture, in 1994, and her Bachelor of Arts from Scripps College, Claremont, California, in 1983.

Exhibition Programming

Member Opening

Thursday, November 17, 8 pm

Conversation with Mel Chin and Elizabeth Turk moderated by Suzanne Ramljak, Chief Curator.

Endangered and Extinct Birds of Michigan: How We Can Help

Saturday, December 10, 11 am–12 pm

Chris Mensing, Fish and Wildlife Biologist

In the Double Take exhibition, Mel Chin and Elizabeth Turk concentrate on an aesthetic interpretation of the loss of endangered and extinct animals, focusing in particular on birds. Join Chris Mensing to learn which bird species are struggling in Michigan and how we can help.

Ecological Art in the Contemporary World

Saturday, January 14, 11 am–12 pm

Lily Woodruff, PhD, Associate Professor of Art History & Visual Culture at Michigan State University

Some artists use their art as a call to action in environmental issues—and some use their art to act. Join Dr. Lily Woodruff in exploring current trends in ecological art, from the Earthworks of the 1960s and ‘70s to the current work of Mel Chin and Elizabeth Turk.

Interpreting Media: Hidden Meanings in Nontraditional Materials

Saturday, March 11, 11 am–12pm

Double Take: Mel Chin & Elizabeth Turk

is made possible by: The Meijer Foundation

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation

Sculpture and Botanic Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Michigan Arts and Culture Council

Amber Oudsema, Curator of Arts Education at Meijer Gardens and Adjunct Professor of Art History at Grand Valley State University

While the title of an artwork often provides clues for viewers to interpret, the medium can also be chosen for symbolic context. Explore some nontraditional materials used in creating works of art throughout art history, before focusing in on the works of Mel Chin and Elizabeth Turk.

2020.

Elizabeth Turk. Echoes of Extinction series,

Events

Unless otherwise noted, events are included in the cost of admission and registration is not required.

Orchid Show

Saturday, January 28, Displays 12–5 pm | Sales 10 am–5 pm Sunday, January 29, Displays and Sales 11 am–4:30 pm Grand Valley Orchid Society

Escape winter’s chill! Enjoy a stunning variety of beautiful, unusual, colorful orchids exhibited by enthusiasts from across the state. Visit vendors to find an orchid that’s easy to grow at home, or add a more unusual species to your collection. Stock up on growing supplies, such as premium orchid bark and fertilizer. Learn how to grow these beauties by attending a free talk—visit MeijerGardens.org for the complete list—or stop by Grand Valley Orchid Society’s information desk to pick up a culture sheet and receive growing tips.

The Peter M. Wege Library

Read & Explore: Art and Gardens Book Group Tuesday, December 6, 1–2:30 pm

Join us as we explore the inner workings of the art world in The Auctioneer: Adventures in the Art Trade, by Simon de Pury. Described as the Mick Jagger of auctions, de Pury offers a behind-the-scenes look at the business of art and his days at Sotheby’s and other well-known auction houses. This is sure to be an eye-opening read, leading to fascinating discussion. Registration required. Limited to 20 guests. RSVP to skilroy@meijergardens.org or call 616-975-3144.

Books in Bloom! Friday, December 16

We hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy our Books in Bloom! throughout the year. The quarterly series continues as our Horticulture team creates another beautiful floral display inspired by a book in the Peter M. Wege Library collection. Please stop by to gain inspiration! The arrangement will be displayed in the Wege Library for approximately one week.

THE MASTER LECTURE SERIES: SECCHIA GARDEN LECTURE

Attracting Bees, Hummingbirds & Butterflies to the Garden* with

Melinda Myers

Tuesday, April 25, 7 pm

Join Melinda Myers (left), nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author, columnist, and speaker, as she shares stunning plant combinations and designs sure to attract pollinators to your garden—no matter the size. Learn the many benefits of attracting bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to your outdoor spaces. You’ll enjoy their beauty and increased productivity in your garden. They’ll benefit from the food, water and shelter you provide! Registration is required and begins online at MeijerGardens.org/calendar on March 1. Please direct questions to Eve Choi at echoi@meijergardens.org or call 616-975-3145.

Top: Mei Ling Clemens, middle: Nic Sagodic

Adult & Teen Classes

Registration required at: MeijerGardens.org/calendar

Adult classes are open to all learners ages 16 and up. Teen classes are marked with the age range. All materials provided. No experience necessary unless otherwise noted.

Nonmember class fee includes admission for the class participant on the day of the class.

Scholarship assistance is available. Please email questions to: classes@meijergardens.org

*Applies toward Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener education credit.

Cancellation policy: Full refunds for cancellations are given if we are notified by phone or email 30 days in advance of the class. A 50% refund is given if we are notified 7–29 days in advance of the class. No refunds will be given for notice less than 7 days before the class. Payments cannot be transferred to other classes. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147, or email classes @meijergardens.org for cancellations.

Open Studio Series

$5 members | $20 nonmembers

Taylor Bultema, Meijer Gardens

In this new class, enjoy the opportunity to explore your artistic practice in our scenic classroom spaces. Open studio hours are ideal for creatives who thrive in a relaxed atmosphere of community art making. A Meijer Gardens educator will offer a short demo of the project and be available for questions and guidance throughout. Materials for the monthly project will be provided as well as some other basic drawing materials, easels and sketch boards. Participants should bring any additional materials they are interested in working with.

Mixed Media Drawing (Adults)

Tuesday, January 17, 5:30 pm–7:30 pm

Draw inspiration from a variety of objects, including a preset still life or plants in vases. A variety of drawing materials, such as colored pencils, pastels, charcoal, and watercolors will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring alternative types of media as well.

Collage Cutouts (Adults)

Tuesday, February 21, 5:30 pm–7:30 pm

Get inspired by Matisse’s collage cutouts. Explore choosing, arranging, and affixing paper and fabric materials to create compelling compositions.

Minimalist Holiday Wreath (Adults)

Tuesday, December 13, 12–2 pm $65 members | $75 nonmembers

Elizabeth Wesley-Martin, Meijer Gardens

Felted Neck Warmer (Adults)

Wednesday, January 11, 1–4:30 pm

OR Thursday, January 12, 1–4:30 pm

$90 members | $100 nonmembers

Kathy Forzley

Create a warm and stylish hand-felted neck warmer to wrap yourself in this winter, using colorful merino wool, silk and other luxury fibers! In this beginner-friendly class, students will learn how to transform loose bits of wool, silk, and specialty fibers into a unique piece of wearable art using traditional wet felting techniques. NOTE: You will need to bring three or four old flat bath towels and a 2 1/2-gallon bucket.

Reimagine traditional holiday decorations and make a unique minimalist wreath with Elizabeth Wesley-Martin, Meijer Gardens Horticulturist. Create trend-setting holiday home décor through the artful use of air plants and elements of the season. Learn how to care for your wreath at home and enjoy a behindthe-scenes tour of how Elizabeth tends to the plants in Meijer Gardens’ collection.

Bookmaking – Pocket Journal (Adults)

Thursday, December 15, 5:30–8:30 pm $80 members | $90 nonmembers

Kalamazoo Book Arts Center

Join us for this new class offering to learn basic bookbinding skills that are transferrable to all book formats—including folding paper into signatures and basic stitching techniques. The pocket journal book is perfect for beginners and a great first step into the world of book arts. To make the book more personal, each participant may carve their own stamp and print it in multiples to embellish covers in a fun pattern. All instruction and materials provided. You will leave the workshop with a finished 6-by-9-inch blank journal.

Pruning Trees and Shrubs* (Adults)

Tuesday, January 10, 5:30–7:30 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers

Becky Pobst, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks

Bring out the natural beauty of your trees, shrubs, evergreens and hedges by learning to prune with confidence! Join Becky Pobst, Community Forestry Project Manager at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, to discover when to prune, proper techniques and best tools, the physiology of pruning, and risk assessment. Following the indoor presentation, take a guided walk around Meijer Gardens, weather permitting, for a unique look at stylized pruning.

Healthy Houseplant Care (Adults)

Thursday, January 12, 6–7:30 pm

$30 members | $40 nonmembers

Stephanie Clark, Plant Parlor

Learn from an expert who will share triedand-true tips and tricks to help your indoor plants prosper—during these colder months and into the warmer months ahead. Topics covered include repotting, replacing soil, adding nutrients and more. Bring your questions and take home a houseplant from Plant Parlor to apply your new knowledge!

Art 101 (Adults)

Saturday, January 14, 1–4 pm AND Saturday, January 21, 1–4 pm

$70 members | $80 nonmembers

Megan Kellner

In this two-part class, learn basic art language and techniques. Part one includes a lesson on the visual elements and principles of design, a practice of one-point perspective drawing, and a guided activity on gesture drawing. Part two explores basic painting methods in three media types: watercolor, gouache and acrylic. Take home your practice work, samples and a sense of confidence in your newfound skills.

Figure Painting with Acrylics (Adults)

Tuesday, January 24, 6–8 pm AND

Tuesday, January 31, 6–8 pm

$70 members | $80 nonmembers

Nick Antonakis

Practice painting the human form from life while learning acrylic techniques in this twosession class. Explore building stages of a painting, from start to finish. Discover how to develop a strong composition then progress from sketch to a fully painted figure artwork on canvas. A live nude figure model will be present in this class. All participants must be 18 years or older to attend. All materials provided. Some drawing and painting experience recommended.

Gardens in Glass: Terrarium Workshop (Adults)

Thursday, January 26, 10–11:30 am $80 members | $90 nonmembers

Laura Worth, Meijer Gardens

Creative Hand Lettering (Adults) Saturday, February 4, 10 am–1 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers

Katie Reitemeier

Exercise your green thumb during these cold, white winter days in this hands-on class offering. Laura Worth, Meijer Gardens Horticulturist, will give step-by-step instructions to create a dreamy small biome to bring some fresh greenery into your life. Learn how to keep your plants healthy and happy, for years to come. Take a stroll to see our own terrarium—the Wardian Case—and hear behind-the-scenes information on the history of the case and how it is maintained.

Photographing Orchids (Adults)

Sunday, January 29, 9–11 am $35 members | $45 nonmembers

Dusty Brown

Spend time photographing the best of the best—the beautiful, interesting Orchid Show entries—before Meijer Gardens opens to the public! End class in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, photographing your favorite orchids from our collection. Bring a macro lens and tripod if you have them. Must be familiar with your camera’s manual functions. Includes admission to the Orchid Show on Sunday, January 29.

This class builds upon your own handwriting to create artfully drawn letters using markers and watercolor. Apply your newfound skill to creating a framed quote and one or two personalized cards to share. Take home a framed chalkboard, chalk marker and practice notebook.

Portrait Photography (Adults) Saturday, February 4, 10 am–1 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers

Dianne Carroll-Burdick

Bring out the best in your family and friends with tips from professional photographer, author, and multi-award winner Dianne Carroll-Burdick. Enjoy a short lecture and learn to capture expression, personality, and mood through composition and lighting. Dress for indoor and outdoor weather. Bring a camera. Tripod recommended.

Natural Dyes (Adults)

Wednesday, February 8, 5:30–8:30 pm $60 members | $70 nonmembers

Megan Williams, Adventure Textiles

Winter Interest in a Four-Season Landscape* (Adults)

Thursday, February 9, 2–3:30 pm

$25 members | $35 nonmembers

Kayla Wanous, Meijer Gardens

Winter doesn’t mean your garden has to lack interest or be unattractive to wildlife! Learn from Kayla Wanous, Meijer Gardens Horticulturist, which plants will retain beautiful shape and color through Michigan winters and how to bring out their beauty by planning ahead throughout the year. Discover how a completely “clean” garden may lack interest and benefits to wildlife in the winter. Following the indoor presentation, weather permitting, take a guided walk highlighting Meijer Gardens’ use of plants to create winter interest.

Tea in the Victorian Garden (Adults)

Tuesday, February 14, 8–9:30 am

$25 (2 for $40) members

$35 (2 for $60) nonmembers

Eve Choi and Amber Oudsema, Meijer Gardens

Discover the art and science behind achieving natural colors from onion skins, avocado pits, turmeric, and more. Learn how to set up natural dye pots and dye with four kitchen materials, then shift some of the colors with an iron modifier. Leave with 21 samples in a small dye recipe book and a set of napkins dyed in class.

Bring a loved one: friend, mom, partner —whomever you’d like—and celebrate Valentine’s Day with us! We’ll enjoy a cup of tea with you in the warmth of our Victorian Garden Parlor. This class covers an array of subjects, from the history of the romantic Victorian garden to the plants and sculptures in Meijer Gardens’ collection. Get a behindthe-scenes tour of how we care for plants in the Meijer Gardens conservatories.

Botanical Illustration with Colored Pencil (Adults)

Thursday, February 16, 5–7:30 pm AND Thursday, February 23, 5–7:30 pm

$60 members | $70 nonmembers

Marlene Boonstra

Colored pencil techniques such as blending, layering and rendering with botanicals are the subjects of this two-session class, designed for beginners. Marlene Boonstra, who is completing her diploma in botanical illustration from the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh in Scotland, will cover the fundamentals of drawing and color theory before teaching you how to apply these new skills to your own finished botanical illustration. The class provides the unique opportunity to access our conservatories after public hours to observe and render plants from real life. All materials provided.

Topiary Tales (Adults)

Thursday, February 23, 1–2:30 pm

$25 members | $35 nonmembers

Ian Warnock, Meijer Gardens

Butterfly Photography (Adults)

Sunday, February 26, 9 am – 11 am OR Thursday, April 6, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

$35 members | $45 nonmembers

Dusty Brown

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.

Butterfly Embroidery (Adults)

Thursday, March 9, 5:30–8:30 pm

The Art and Science of Fly Tying (Adults)

Saturday, March 25, 9:30 am–12 pm

$40 members | $50 nonmembers

Justin Wegner, Nomad Anglers

Join us for an entertaining talk with Ian Warnock, Meijer Gardens Horticulture

Lead, as he shares topiary history, the main styles, and stories about his experiences with topiaries internationally. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of our classrooms as you sip tea and enjoy light refreshments. We hope you’ll join us for this amusing, inspiring discussion!

Coffee with the Curator: Butterflies (Adults)

Saturday, February 25, 8–9:30 am $15 members | $25 nonmembers

Eve Choi, Meijer Gardens

Join Eve Choi, Curator of Horticulture and Environmental Education, for a special behind-the-scenes tour of Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming. Get a sneak peek of this exhibit before it officially opens! Eve will discuss what goes into putting this exhibition together each year, how the butterflies are received and what happens once they arrive. Have your questions answered over coffee and muffins.

Kombucha 101 (Adults and Teens 14+)

Saturday, February 25, 12–2 pm

$35 members | $45 nonmembers

Matt Hoff and Kyle Manning, Zenned Out Kombucha

$45 members | $55 nonmembers

Lisa Olsen

Learn to make great-tasting kombucha brew at home, for years to come! Discover the history and health properties of kombucha, and problem-solve how to safely brew your own supply. Watch a demonstration to learn the first fermentation process and how to start the culture, then enjoy kombucha samples and take home a SCOBY to get started.

In this class created for beginners, participants learn a variety of embroidery stitches, to be incorporated into a finished butterfly design on cotton or muslin fabric stretched over a hoop. Participants get an after-hours look at the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory to inspire their designs and could customize their colors and patterns to match their favorite species. All materials provided.

Cyanotype (Adults)

Megan Williams, Adventure Textiles

Cyanotype for Teens (Ages 14-18)

Taylor Bultema, Meijer Gardens Sunday, March 19, 1–4 pm

$45 members | $55 nonmembers

This class begins in the Sculpture Galleries, looking at the exhibition Double Take: Mel Chin & Elizabeth Turk. We will discuss some main themes of the work, including environmental hazards, endangered species, memorialization, and lost or hidden histories. Then head down to the classrooms and use these inspiring themes to create cyanotype prints—using a 170-year-old photographic printing technique that produces images in a distinctive blue shade. Dried botanicals and images printed on transparencies related to the themes above will be available to use to create prints. Optional: Bring any botanicals you may want to incorporate into your design.

In this beginner course, learn the art of fly tying while deepening your understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. Our neighbors at Nomad Anglers will demonstrate basic concepts of fly tying and discuss the ecology underlying fly fishing and fly tying. Walk away having learned how to tie a few simple flies, with a better understanding of entomology and trout behavior. NOTE: If you have a vise and tools, we encourage you to bring them; however, all materials will be provided.

*Applies toward Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener education credit.

Cancellation policy: Full refunds for cancellations are given if we are notified by phone or email 30 days in advance of the class. A 50% refund is given if we are notified 7–29 days in advance of the class. No refunds will be given for notice less than 7 days before the class. Payments cannot be transferred to other classes. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147, or email classes @meijergardens.org for cancellations.

Child & Family Classes

Registration required at: MeijerGardens.org/calendar All materials provided. No experience necessary unless otherwise noted.

Nonmember class fee includes admission to Meijer Gardens for the class participant on the day of the class.

Scholarship assistance is available. Please email questions to: classes@meijergardens.org

Holiday Scout Event: Light!

(Scout groups of all ages)

Saturday, December 3, 9–11 am OR 1–3 pm

Saturday, December 10, 9–11 am OR 1–3 pm $7 per scout or sibling | 1 leader free | $4 for 1 additional leader | $10 per additional adult chaperone | No charge for adult members and children ages 2 years and under | Members must present membership card upon check-in

Experience University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions at your own pace during this self-guided program designed especially for Scouts! Go on a Lights of the Season scavenger hunt to explore themes common across holiday traditions around the world. Draw inspiration from the holiday trees, Railway Garden and other displays, then receive a take-home art activity kit to create your own light-inspired project at home. NOTE: Troops must register at least two weeks in advance.

Gingerbread Trolley (Families with children ages 5+)

Saturday, December 10, 10–11:30 am OR 12:30–2 pm

Tuesday, December 13, 6–7:30 pm $45 member families | $55 nonmember families

Use frosting, marshmallows, candy bits and your imagination to decorate a one-ofa-kind gingerbread trolley. Each family is provided a gingerbread trolley “kit” and a fun, family-oriented looking guide to use while exploring University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions

NOTE: Family pricing includes up to two (2) adults and two (2) children.

Holiday Décor and Gift Making (Ages 9-11)

Monday, December 19, 1–3 pm

$30 members | $40 nonmembers

Jean Barber, Meijer Gardens

Design a holiday wreath using fabric, paper, and natural elements, and learn how to make big, beautiful bows. Create a painted

wooden holiday sign, a unique one-of-a-kind ornament, and a gift box to keep or give to a loved one.

Holiday Card-Making for Kids (Ages 6-8) Tuesday, December 20, 1–3 pm

$30 members | $40 nonmembers

Jean Barber, Meijer Gardens

Learn the basics of card-making using a variety of art supplies and colorful cardstock. Create two or three cards with a personalized message and discover how to create two types of box cards. Leave with templates to use for future card-making.

Light Art (Ages 6-8)

Wednesday, December 21, 1–3 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers

Jean Barber, Meijer Gardens

Use an array of vibrant art materials and a string of LED lights to create an illuminated scene on stretched canvas! Explore the different meanings of light as you plan and create your masterpiece.

Tune into the Tropics: Tropical Treats (Ages 9-11) Saturday, January 7, 10 am–12 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers

Erin Willet

Did you know you can use ingredients from the tropics to make delicious treats? In this class, travel to the tropics by touring the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Hunt for the cacao tree, banana plant and more. Learn fascinating facts about the tropics and use tropical ingredients to make a unique treat.

Tune into the Tropics: Terrific Terrariums (Ages 6-8 with an adult) Saturday, January 28, 10–11:30 am $15 members | $18 nonmembers

Kara Wilkinson

Explore the world of terrariums and learn how they can make a big impact on indoor garden spaces. Discover the essential components and how to design for success, then create several of your own! In this class, we will make two mini-terrariums to take home. All supplies included.

Winter Crafting: Weaving (Ages 8+ years)

Saturday, February 11, 10 am-12 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers

Arlene Tiemeyer

Are you fascinated with fiber and fiber arts? Have you ever wondered about the ins and outs of weaving? In this class participants will learn the terms and experiment with several different styles of weaving. Explore the difference between inkle, bias, and rigid heddle looms, and create a unique weaving sampler to take home.

Preschool Explorations: Winter

$15 members | $18 nonmembers

Molly Carlson

Designed for preschool-aged children 3 to 5, with an adult, this series investigates a variety of themes in interesting locations throughout our gardens and grounds—in a preschool-friendly way! Sign up for one session or all three.

Shapes!

Wednesday, February 1, 10–11:30 am Curvy or straight, pointy or round— everywhere you look, shapes are found!

Color!

Wednesday, February 8, 10–11:30 am Explore a rainbow of colors—by learning, painting, mixing and creating!

Insects!

Wednesday, February 15, 10–11:30 am Hop, crawl, wiggle and fly—learn all about insects, my, oh, my!

Cancellation policy: Full refunds for cancellations are given if we are notified by phone or email 30 days in advance of the class. A 50% refund is given if we are notified 7–29 days in advance of the class. No refunds will be given for notice less than 7 days before the class. Payments cannot be transferred to other classes. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147, or email classes @meijergardens.org for cancellations.

Child & Family Events

Unless otherwise noted, events are included in the cost of admission and registration is not required.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

Monday, January 16 10:30–11:30 am

Join us as we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. with a story time guiding us through Dr. King’s life, from the hardships to the highlights. Then get inspired by Kirk Newman’s sculpture, Children of the World, and create a torn-paper self-portrait collage to reflect on how we are all a part of Dr. King’s dream.

Animal Adventures: Surviving in the Wild!

Saturday, January 21, 10–11:30 am OR Sunday, January 22, 1–2:30 pm $8 members | $13 nonmembers | 2 and younger free In collaboration with John Ball Zoo

Who Am I? A Butterfly Ballet (All Ages)

Saturday, February 25, 10 am OR 12:30 pm Sunday, February 26, 12 pm OR 2:30 pm

$5 members | $10 nonmembers | 2 and younger free In collaboration with Grand Rapids Ballet Sponsored in part by Jesse and Gia Budrick

Everyone also requires a general admission ticket (free to Meijer Gardens members) to attend this event.

Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Winter-Time Walks

November 29–December 31, 2022

Preschoolers: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:30 am Family and Friends: Fridays and Saturdays, 11:15 am

Winter in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden can be chilly—but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor discovery walk, to investigate the Children’s Garden in new ways.

Adventure Walks: Trees and Sculpture!

January 4–February 24

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10:30 am

Have fun exploring the survival techniques of a snake, a chinchilla, a tarantula, and a rat at this family-friendly event! Enjoy watching live animal presentations, listening to animal stories, completing art projects and trying your luck at animal challenges. Ideal for ages 3 to 6, with all ages welcome. Come in from the cold and have some fun! Meijer Gardens members: Register at MeijerGardens.org/calendar or call 616-808-3619. John Ball Zoo members: Register at jbzoo.org or call 616-336-4302. Registration required.

Mark your calendars now for a thoroughly delightful butterfly ballet. Told through the eyes of a newly emerged butterfly, the story captivates young and old alike. With colorful costumes, spectacular music, and exquisite choreography, this enchanting performance provides a unique and memorable experience. Choreographed by Attila Mosolygo and performed by members of the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company. Visit MeijerGardens. org/calendar to register. NOTE: American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for the 12:30 pm performance Saturday, February 25. Please email classes@meijergardens.org to reserve a space for this service.

The Peter M. Wege Library

Cozy Tales for Chilly Days Preschool Story Time (Best for ages 2-5)

Tuesdays, January 3–February 28, 10:30 am

Join us this winter for Cozy Tales! Our popular preschool story time is back for a 13th season, inspiring young readers with fun stories about art, plants, animals, the natural environment and more.

Winter is a time for adventure and fun in the Children’s Garden. Come explore trees as we wiggle, reach, and wave on a walk highlighting the shapes and motions of trees. Or take a closer look at sculptures as we bray like a donkey, howl like a wolf, and even tromp like a bear, with walks highlighting the sights and sounds of sculpture.

Winter Family Day

Saturday, February 4, 1–4 pm

Join us for an afternoon of wintry fun for all ages! We’ll have plenty of hot chocolate to keep you warm and loads of activities to keep you busy:

Watch a sculptor transform a block of ice into an amazing piece of ice art and add your touch to a Children’s Garden collaborative ice sculpture display.

• Create a unique ecofriendly winterinspired craft. Get your cameras ready! Create ephemeral art to display on the Wind Gamelans lawn.

• Learn about trees and the animals that use them on a guided Naturalist Walk through Treehouse Village.

Right: Marshall Fredericks. Two Bears, 1964 (cast 1992). William J. Hebert

For the Foodies

Like the partridge and the pear tree, hospitality and the holidays just go together. From handheld treats to sitdown eats, don’t miss these festive foods as you join us this season.

Perhaps nothing tops off a visit to bustling Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park better than a little respite in our world-class James and Shirley Balk Café. After you take in our holiday exhibition, gardens, and galleries, refuel with a seasonal menu of culinary creations sure to surprise and delight even the most discerning palate.

Treat yourself to our curated menu of delicious dishes, many featuring locally sourced ingredients from farmers, butchers, bakers and brewers across West Michigan. We love whipping up handmade meals and sweets for our members, inside our café and out.

Before you catch the spectacular inaugural Seasonal Light Experience at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater, grab a hot handheld and a gourmet hot cocoa, eggnog, or adult beverage at the James & Shirley Balk Cafe pop-up, located in the Peter C. & Emajean Cook Transportation Center. Cheers to treating you all season long!

Quarterly Tributes

IN MEMORY

Hildegarde Adkins

Joseph & Lisa Becherer

Glenn Borre

Diana Bittrick

Monna Essenberg

Reva Rochelle Hartleb

Patricia & Christopher Rose

Patricia Hoekstra

Sarajane Termaat

Evie Waltz

Sandra Wright

Joan Castle

Erin Bollinger

Laurie Dahlstrom

Ed & Pearl Ulrich

Donald Hoover Anonymous

Glen Johnson

AMDG Architects

Greenville Partners

Jacobson Family Investments Inc.

Labora Group, Inc.

Claire & Debbie Larson

Phil & Suzanne McHugh Note Advisors LLC

Suzanne Langlois

Anonymous

Michael Carpenter

Scott & Sheila DeKryger

Todd & Lisa Dornbush

Grand Rapids Employees Independent Union

Erin Korhorn

Alan Langlois

Mary Jo Langlois

Ann Langlois

Maureen Lovewell

Jane McLamara

Rosemary Scott

The Smith Family

Larry Strockis

Morgan Jean Lindsey

Family & Friends of Morgan Jean Lindsey

Betty Luna

Rebecca West Richard Neil Barbara McGuirl

Susanne Remes

Joanna & Andy Bottaro, Tony & Tricia Shore, Joy Shore and all the cousins from Philadelphia

Teri & Keith Raffel

Cornbread Biscuits

Apple & Cinnamon Infused Bourbon

Ingredients

6 whole apples (Honeycrisp or any other sweet apple of your choice, sliced with skin on) 6 whole cinnamon sticks 1 (750 milliliters) bottle bourbon

Directions

1. Add apple slices, cinnamon sticks and bourbon to a clean half-gallon jar with a tight-fitting lid. Seal the jar and store in a cool dark place for up to two weeks.

2. Shake and taste occasionally. The longer you let it sit, the more flavor and sweetness it will have.

1/4 cup batter into each cavity of the pan.

3. Bake in 350-degree oven until golden brown and baked through; start with 15 minutes. Stagger pans in oven to help bake more evenly.

3. When ready, strain the apples and cinnamon sticks from the bourbon. Drink it over ice or add to a cocktail.

Adrianne Nowicki

Martin & Enid Packard

Nancy Lee Kieft

Nathan Fowler

Tracy Kryzanowski

Jeff Constantine

Richard Kryzanowski

Brian & Debbie Noel

Julie & Bruce Taylor

Ron & Marcella Wesche

Douglas Wood

Joan & Robyn Remes

Barbara Ross

Kelly Fuels Inc

Karen Randall

Donna Matteson Short

Richard & Kathie Curlee

George & Linda Dalman

Mary & Carlos Guerrero

Wallace & Mary Fu

Richard Stec

Aaron Steiner

Hannah Patton

Allen Steuer

Susan & Edward Etheredge

Marilyn Titche

Joseph & Lisa Becherer

George & Dorothy VandeWoude

Alice & Peter Fens Eileen Winkler

Linda Dodge

These gifts were received between July 1 and September 31, 2022. Those honored or memorialized are shown in bold type, while donors appear in regular type.

IN HONOR

Jamie Florida

James Swank

James, Harper, and the family dog, Walrus Hawkins Natalie Venuto Hawkins & Grant Hawkins

Sookie Langrish Anonymous

Jack Jajuga-McKenna Anonymous

Lee Peterson

Dawn Hoffman

Niel Scharphorn Anonymous

Gift Memberships

Give your friends and family the gift of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park membership!

Meijer Gardens membership provides a full year of access to one of the nation’s most significant sculpture and botanic experiences, which includes Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory. Our 158-acre main campus includes barrier-free and accessible indoor and outdoor spaces.

REMINDER: If you hope for delivery before December 25, please purchase by your gift membership by December 9 to allow time for processing. You may purchase a membership on-site, online or by calling 616-977-7689.

Tribute Program

There are many wonderful reasons to create a tribute. You could:

Thank a friend or loved one.

• Celebrate an outstanding volunteer.

• Give a meaningful gift to an avid gardener or plant lover.

• Commemorate a special occasion: birth, marriage, anniversary, promotion, retirement, professional accomplishment.

• Give a memorable gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Hanukkah or another holiday.

• Create a memorial for a deceased friend, relative or colleague.

Recognize an employee or associate for special accomplishments.

• Promote your company while supporting our mission of horticulture and sculpture.

Tribute options include but are not limited to general donations, library books, picnic tables, bronze plaques, trees, benches, sculpture sites and garden elements.

Your gift is deeply appreciated. To explore tribute opportunities and pricing, connect with a Tribute Program Representative by email at tributes@meijergardens.org or by calling 616-975-3143.

2022 Commemorative Ornament

The Welcome Center sets the scene for your Meijer Gardens visit. Its towering granite walls capture light and shadows as they sparkle in myriad shades of rose and grey. As you approach, admire Bent of Mind by Tony Cragg and the four-seasons beauty of the Tassell–Wisner–Bottrall English Perennial Garden— including several outdoor sculptures and fountains—set against the soaring glass of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Steps away are views of the Ram’s Garden and an array of works by Marshall Fredericks, whose distinct bronzes were the foundation of Frederik Meijer’s collection. Other sculpture dots the corridors and floors, leading you toward the Sculpture Galleries and interior gardens, before opening to a 158-acre wonderland of outdoor gardens and sculpture for all to experience and enjoy.

This year, we invite you start a new holiday tradition with the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park commemorative ornament. The 2022 brass ornament, American-made by Beacon Design in a limited edition of 250, is available for purchase during University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Peter & Susan Krupp

Landscape Design Services, Inc.

Ping

Roger

Karl & Patricia Betz

Doug Meijer

Christmas, Through Lena’s Eyes

Lena Meijer cherished the holidays—so much so that she was the visionary force behind our very first Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition. Join us 28 years later as we celebrate Lena’s legacy with a walk through her favorite holiday traditions.

Lauscha, Germany, is lauded for producing the original glass Christmas ornaments. In 1847, these first creations featured insides made to look silvery; first with mercury or lead, then later with a special compound of silver nitrate and sugar water. These beautiful ornaments gained popularity across Europe when an illustration of Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree, decorated with glass ornaments from Prince Albert’s native Germany, was printed in a London paper. Some German folklore holds that the first child to spot the pickle ornament on Christmas morning receives an extra gift and unwraps the first present. Lena loved to watch children search the Germany tree to see who first spotted that precious pickle.

Lena Meijer’s presence can be felt in every detail of University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions. Coming together for the holidays was especially meaningful for our Meijer Gardens matriarch, who loved to surround herself with family and friends, old and new.

Ever grateful to make a new connection, she is fondly remembered for introducing herself simply as “Lena.” This love for people inspired her—along with a few family members and friends—to create and curate our first holiday exhibition, in 1995. What started with a modest 20 displays has evolved into a world-class exhibition of 42 statuesque trees and significant cultural traditions depicting fact and folklore, past and present.

Of all our magical evergreens, the Germany Tree was Lena’s personal favorite—an annual celebration of the childhood she loved. Lena’s father, George Rader, was born in Germany and moved to America at age 16. Her mother, Mary, was also of German heritage. You can see traditions from Lena’s upbringing in ornaments like the handmade German springerle cookies, one of the country’s most-loved Christmas sweets. In keeping with this centuries-old tradition, each of these anise-flavored cookies is beautifully embossed by a special carved mold or wooden rolling pin.

The first lighted Christmas tree originates back to Germany too. It is believed that Martin Luther, a 16th-century German monk and Catholic priest who led the Protestant Reformation, was inspired by the glistening vision of starlight filtering through a tree in the woods. He cut the tree down, brought it home and placed white candles on the branches to share the experience with his family.

Our award-winning film, joy, is another homage to Lena. Running continuously in the Hoffman Family Auditorium, this movie beautifully documents Lena and her friends decorating their family’s Germany tree, all the while highlighting holiday traditions from centuries ago that are still vital in our local community. Don’t miss it when you visit the exhibition.

A visit to Michigan’s Farm Garden is another must. The 1880s farmhouse, a three-quarterscale replica of Lena’s childhood home in Amble, Michigan, features a Christmas tree decorated with handmade ornaments lovingly crafted by Lena and her friends. While you’re outside, stop by the Peter C. & Emajean Cook Transportation Center to see the whimsical sculpture Mom, Dad, and the Kid, by Shirley Thompson-Smith, which commemorates Lena’s fondness for penguins and the penguinthemed art and items she collected throughout her life. We love highlighting the sculpture every holiday season to celebrate Lena and her love for her Meijer Gardens family. We’re excited to welcome you this season!

Cristina Iglesias: Under and In Between

April 28–September 24, 2023

Cristina Iglesias. Entwined III, 2018.

Cristina Iglesias. Growth I, 2018 (detail), 2018.

Marian Goodman Gallery, New York, USA. © Cristina Iglesias.

agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

admission of $2 per person for up to four people.

Michigan Arts and Culture Council, a partner

Meijer Gardens receives funding from the

Sunday 9 am–11 am

Saturday 8 am–9 am

Peter M. Wege Library open at regular hours.

Keeler Gift Shop, James & Shirley Balk Café and

Gardens is open early to members. The DeVos-

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

1000 East Beltline Avenue NE

for All. Show your EBT/WIC card for a reduced

Meijer Gardens is a proud member of Museums

membership@meijergardens.org.

your copy digitally, contact 616-977-7689 or

Meijer Garden’s members. If you prefer to receive

Seasons is produced quarterly and mailed to

submit your own via hello@meijergardens.org.

We value your input! Respond to our content or

The first full weekend of each month, Meijer

Sunday 11 am–5 pm

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