Seasons - Spring 2022 | Vol. 13(2)

seasons Spring ‘22­ (March–May) Volume 13, Issue 2 FREDERIK MEIJER Gardens & Sculpture Park 01 Letter from the President 02 Lena Elizabeth Selma Rader Meijer 10 Flower Power:

Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming 12 Yinka Shonibare CBE: Planets In My Head 14 The Doehne Wildflower Meadow: Blaze Before Blooms 16 The Master Lecture Series: Secchia Garden Lectures 18 Events 20 Meijer Gardens Michigan All-State Bonsai Show 22 Adult & Teen Classes 24 Child & Family Events & Classes 26 Philanthropy 28 Dedication, Celebration and Change Joseph Kinkel. Fred and Lena Meijer Peter McDaniel (detail), 2004.

Michele Oka Doner

Beneath the Leafy Crown

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Of Life, Love, Service and Gardens Lena Meijer, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, the spouse and partner of the late retailing entrepreneur Fred Meijer, died January 15, 2022, at the age of 102. It is one of the highest honors of my life to have known Lena and to call her a friend. Lena loved being with people and always had time to engage in conversation. She loved to hear about what was going on in your life—how your family was doing; what your kids were doing—and offer a kind word.

Talking with Lena was pure joy.

Now, we must go forward, with the knowledge of Lena’s and Fred’s desire to have Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park be a legacy of their love of people, their community, beautiful gardens, and world-class sculpture. We all are blessed and privileged to be stewards of the many gifts Lena gave to improve the lives of and bring joy to others.

This issue of Seasons tells a bit of Lena’s life story of accomplishment and service to family and community. I encourage you to read about Lena and visit the gardens she loved so much.

Rest in peace, Lena.

In late November, we dedicated our new Welcome Center and Jaume Plensa’s masterpiece sculpture Utopia. The dedication was in the form of a toast to all people— celebrating the idea that beauty is part of the answer to our cares, and honoring the love we share for all of humanity to live in peace.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is fortunate to have some of the finest objects humanity has ever produced. World-class art, highly curated gardens and amazing facilities define our physical layout. The objects stimulate the senses and deserve to be celebrated. Their highest purpose, however, is to connect people to each other, promote Letter from the President

high ideals and enrich lives by bringing joy to people. Fred Meijer defined this goal when ground was broken August 24, 1993, for our first building. Fred stated his hope that Meijer Gardens would make the world “more whole.”

Our mission is to promote the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. The action phrase in that statement is to promote enjoyment using our art and gardens and having a love of the natural environment.

It is why Fred and Lena Meijer and the Meijer family have made this amazing place possible.

It is why thousands of you have come forward to support our mission. It is why hundreds of dedicated people work here each day to bring joy to people, using all the resources entrusted to us to advance our mission.

The title of our campaign to build all these new facilities contained the words “Welcoming the World.” It is our desire to welcome all people to Meijer Gardens. To help ensure all people can experience our mission and, hopefully, be inspired, we have established the Amway– Meijer, Inc. Fund for Education. Through the generosity of leads gifts from Amway and Meijer, Inc., a significant challenge grant from Candace and Bruce Matthews, and many individual gifts, we have secured $320,000 in funding. These gifts will forever generate financial resources to fund the transportation, admission costs, and programming for lowincome and underserved children to visit Meijer Gardens. This effort joins other programs we have to improve access to Meijer Gardens, such as Museums for All, Grand Rapids Public Library’s Check It Out! and Kent District Library’s PerkPass Program.

In 2006, we dedicated the Volunteer Tribute Garden. The garden pays tribute to the enormous contributions made by our volunteers to bring joy to others and was a collective effort of many people. Edith (Edie) Fleming was a leader in making the garden possible. She gave generously of her time and talent in the horticulture department. When the idea of a Volunteer Tribute Garden was proposed, Edie stepped forward with a significant contribution.

Her efforts and gifts are why you see a boulder with her and her husband’s name on it at the entrance to the garden.

Reflecting our growth, we have completely rebuilt the Volunteer Tribute Garden and updated the important sculpture The Tribute,

by Oliviero Rainaldi. The Tribute honors all our volunteers, including Fred and Lena Meijer.

We will rededicate the garden on April 20, 2022, which is also the 27th anniversary of the opening of Meijer Gardens.

In 2008, we began installing Beneath the Leafy Crown, by Michele Oka Doner. This monumental sculpture has helped define the experience of walking through the BISSELL Corridor, surrounded by art depicting a Michigan forest floor. With the expansion of the BISSELL Corridor and the Sculpture Galleries, Beneath the Leafy Crown will be completely refurbished and restored. This important work will be completed during January and February.

As members, you all have helped make Meijer Gardens possible. Your membership is important in sustaining Meijer Gardens and is sincerely appreciated. We hope you’ll visit often.

Gratefully,

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Todd Harvey Ronald Hofman Mike Jeppesen Jeff Lambert Gloria Lara Tim Liang Elisa Lintemuth Jon March Kristina Martinez-Precious Janet Mason Candace Matthews Mary McLoughlin Laina Mills Mark Mossing Hannah Naltner Doriane Parker-Sims JoAnne Perkins Jim Preston Carlos Sanchez Joe Taber Michael Toth Debbye Turner Bell Susan Vogel-Vanderson Jill Walcott Maryln Walton Tina Wheeler Robert Wolford

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 Rhae-Ann Booker Chuck Christmas Duane Shields Davis Jocelyn Dettloff Scott DeVecht Suzanne Eberle Joy Fossel Meg Goebel Charyn Hain Shane Hansen

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Fred and Lena Meijer sitting in President Gerald R. Ford’s chair Content at the dedication of the Ford Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 27, 1981.

Credit

Lena Elizabeth Selma Rader Meijer Flowers and family. Plants and people. Gardens and grandchildren—everyone’s grandchildren!

These are among the many things Lena Meijer cherished most.

By extension, and by no simple coincidence, these are also many of the beloved characteristics that define the heart of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

In truth, to combine Fred Meijer’s passion for sculpture with Lena’s love of flowers, plants and gardens, you more easily understand the unique concept of Meijer Gardens. When you also consider their shared interest in people of every background and life experience, that concept defines the institution that annually welcomes 600,000-plus visitors, from across the country and around the world.

Perhaps no one was more delighted and surprised by the international renown and success of Meijer Gardens than Lena herself. Such sentiments stemmed in part from the fact that the present reality of the organization with which she will be forever linked seems so far from her birth and childhood in the small farming community of Amble, Michigan.

On May 14, 1919, Lena Elizabeth Selma Rader was born on the family homestead, one mile east of Amble, Michigan, in the upstairs bedroom of the house her father had built. George Rader had come to America from Germany in 1893, at age 16, where he began working as a lumberjack. Eventually, he was able to buy 40 acres in Winfield Township and become a farmer.

While attending the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Amble, George met Mary Lutterloh, also of German ancestry. They married in 1915. Along with her older In Memorium

brother Herman, Lena spent her childhood on a hardworking family farm. Though English was spoken in the nearby village, her parents spoke German at home and she became fluent in both languages.

To the delight of many, Lena remained close to both her German ancestry and the circumstances of her early life. She so enjoyed conversing and corresponding with German-speaking guests and artists at Meijer Gardens, in the beloved language of her parents. She never missed the opportunity to decorate the Germany Tree in the celebrated University of Michigan Health–West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition and reminisce about the decorations and traditions of Christmases past but not forgotten. It had been Lena—working with her daughter-in-law and some friends—who started the exhibition.

The ever-charming Michigan’s Farm Garden at Meijer Gardens, however, is likely the most tangible connection to Lena’s rural past. The house is a three-quarter scale replica of the one her father built, and the expansive diorama of a working American farm is to be discerned in every season.

Both Lena and her mother maintained gardens for produce, with touches of beauty in a few flowering plants and shrubs. The rhubarb cultivar grown at Michigan’s Farm Garden today has its origins in the garden of Lena’s mother.

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For the Rader family, the realities of farm life were equally demanding and character building. There were cows to milk twice a day, starting at five in the morning, with only a kerosene lantern lighting the barn. Lena would often rouse the rooster, who would then make his announcement to the world from his favorite fence post.

“By 9 or 10, I was pretty good at milking cows,” she noted in an interview. “I had my own three-legged stool, and the minute I sat down, Mutsy, one of the barn cats, would be right there. I got so I could squirt the milk into his mouth from six to eight feet away.”

Lena graduated in 1937 from Lakeview High School, where she displayed significant athletic talents. Although she enrolled at Central Michigan University with an eye on becoming a schoolteacher, the Great Depression was in full swing. She finally decided she should go to work instead, and for several years found herself waiting on customers at a bank in Lakeview.

Then came a phone call that would change her life.

“It was a Friday night,” she recalled, “and we had just finished supper. The day had been unusually hot. I was helping Mother bake some huckleberry pies for Sunday dinner, when the phone rang.

“I picked up the phone and said ‘Hello.’ A voice with a heavy Dutch accent answered: ‘This is Henry Meijer, and I would like to talk to Lena Rader.’” Two of her high school friends, who worked at the fledgling Meijer Thrift Market in Greenville, had told their employer glowing stories about Lena, urging him to offer her a job.

Even though they had never met, and the terms of her employment were not discussed during that brief phone conversation, Lena accepted the job offer. This meant she would be leaving the farm and moving to the city—and into a whole new way of life. Eventually, she discovered she would be paid $12 a week.

Lena’s orderly mind, and her experience at the Lakeview Bank, allowed her to straighten out the sometimes-haphazard bookkeeping practices at the first Meijer store, where bills and invoices were often simply pinned to the wall.

She worked at the store four years before she and Fred had their first date, which wasn’t exactly a 04

Lena Elizabeth Selma Rader Meijer

formal arrangement. Lena asked Fred whether he’d like to come to a community barn dance. Initially, he turned her down, thinking it wasn’t proper to date an employee. About five minutes later, he changed his mind and accepted.

From that first date, Fred later admitted, he was determined to marry Lena.

Because the Meijer family didn’t take wages at the Greenville store, they simply got in touch with the head bookkeeper, Henry Hoy, when they needed money. One day, Fred took out an amount Henry thought was suspiciously large. When Lena came in to work the next day, Henry asked to see her finger.

“I knew it!” he exclaimed, smiling at the sparkling diamond ring.

Fred and Lena were married at the Rader farmhouse, 23 miles from Greenville, in 1946.

Though the two of them had not known each other as children, they grew up with many things in common. Both developed a strong sense of commitment to their families, knowing even as children they made important contributions to their families’ livelihoods. Both shouldered responsibilities beyond their years and worked extremely hard, understanding the rewards that came with hard-won accomplishments. In many ways, the eventual success that gave rise to Meijer Inc. and, by extension, their many transformative philanthropic endeavors, was shaped early in the lives of Fred and Lena—respectively and collectively.

Both were exposed to two languages at home: German and English for Lena; Dutch and English for Fred. Both exhibited talents in music: Fred as a clarinetist, violinist, and singer; Lena as trumpeter, pianist, and organist. It is quite clear their lifelong curiosity, flexibility, intelligence, and determination were in large part formed in the fertile soil of those early farm years and gave rise to significant cultural endeavors, foremost of which would be Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

After marrying Fred, Lena continued to work in the family business—now without a paycheck— and kept up her involvement well into her first pregnancy. In February 1952, Fred was hard at work preparing for the opening of the company’s sixth store, its third in Grand Rapids, on the corner of Michigan and Fuller.

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6 1. Lena holding farm kittens at the Amble, Michigan, family farm where she grew up. As a child she milked cows, collected eggs and planted her own garden.

2. Lena Rader, Greenville Thrift Market, 1942. Also pictured are Hendrik and Fred Meijer.

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In Memorium

3. Lena Rader began working as a cashier at the Greenville Thrift Market in 1941. She also helped organize the Meijer family’s books.

4. Lena seated at a card table in her and Fred’s living room. She routinely laid out ads at home, at least until their first child was born.

5. Lena sits for artist Philip Grausman as he works on his sculpture Lena Meijer in 2002.

6. Lena and Fred surrounded by friends and family in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden.

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Meijer family portrait, 1973.

Left to right: Doug, Fred, Lena, Hank (standing) and Mark Meijer, seated in their home.

Lena was home, expecting their first baby.

Having just been told by her doctors that the delivery might have complications, she scheduled and prepared herself for a cesarean section.

She was told to show up at the hospital at four o’clock in the afternoon, to prepare for delivery the following day. At that moment, Fred ran into a problem at the office: The employee who had been working on the Grand Opening ads suddenly quit her job, leaving the vital work unfinished.

Remembering that Lena had helped with ad layouts for many years, he took the project home around three in the afternoon, thinking they could do it together again, like in the old days.

“This supermarket,” said Hank Meijer, writing about it years later, “was my exact contemporary— opened the week I was born. My mother had been laying out the week’s grocery ad for the Grand Rapids Press at a card table in the living room when she felt the first labor pains. Tears streamed down

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Lena Elizabeth Selma Rader Meijer

her cheeks as she put aside her pencil, called to my father and packed for the hospital.”

Two more sons, Doug and Mark, followed soon thereafter, and Lena dedicated herself to family life.

With resourcefulness and efficiency, she organized the household so mealtimes were family times.

She patched skinned knees and dried teary eyes, all with the calming reassurance that tomorrow would be another day. Then came Little League, band recitals, and numerous school functions characteristic of three growing, energetic boys.

The Meijer home was like a magnet, where all the neighborhood children gravitated and were always welcome. Years later, watching Fred and Lena meeting and greeting guests at Meijer Gardens, season after season, year after year, it was easy to see and feel the same warmth and hospitality of the Meijer home. What was personal became the spirit of what was equally and lovingly public.

Whether it was the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, the President of the United States (she met five), European royalty or everyday folks, Lena Meijer treated everyone the same—everyone mattered.

Her unpretentious manner and infectious smile made a positive and lasting impression. Like Will Rogers, it seemed, she never met a person she didn’t like.

Lena and Fred traveled to six continents during their 65 years of marriage, while raising a family and overseeing the growth and development of a major Midwestern business. Lena was her husband’s partner in every respect; when the two of them were separated by the vagaries of business or travel, they spoke on the telephone every night and wrote frequent letters as well.

The Meijers enjoyed traveling as much for seeing the sites as for meeting the people. As time went on, they had the opportunity to take in many In Memorium

of the great museums and botanic gardens of the world. If Fred delighted in the wondrous sculpture collections of the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia, Lena thoroughly enjoyed the historic public gardens and the vast array of flowers in bloom. Seeds of what would become Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park were unknowingly planted, years before the institution opened in 1995.

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting, April 20, 1995. Pictured from left to right: Rev. James Carlson, Grand Rapids Township Supervisor Marsha Bouwkamp, Fred Meijer, Lena Meijer, First Lady Betty Ford, President Gerald R. Ford, Gov. John Engler, and Sen. Carl Levin.

When Fred was initially approached by Betsy Borre of the West Michigan Horticultural Society to help build a botanical garden in Grand Rapids, he was intrigued; it promised to give vision and form to Lena’s love for flowers and gardens. When that society also embraced his passion for sculpture, the cultural organization enjoyed by millions was given life. Together, Fred and Lena delighted in the rapid growth, public embrace, and critical acclaim of what is recognized across the globe as Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

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Although Fred has become synonymous with the organization that bears his name, Lena’s interests and the spirit of her character—along with the Meijers’ love for each other—are central to its very being and popular appeal.

The Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, where lush tropical plants, gorgeous orchids and flirtatious butterflies enchant, was and remains an early icon for the 158-acre main campus. The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden has become a joyous space of exploration and enjoyment for children of all ages, with delightful displays of flowers, plants, tree houses, mazes, and water gardens. Michigan’s Farm Garden continues as an oasis of bygone calm and simple pleasures blooming season after season—including the roses Lena transplanted from the Meijer home she shared for so long with Fred, Hank, Doug and Mark.

Most recently, The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden stands as a tribute to Lena’s spirit and influence. Although there had been long-standing interest in such an attraction for the Meijer Gardens

campus, it was Lena’s love of flowers and having tea with her friends that inspired Fred to suggest such a garden would be created.

When Lena heard that Rich and Helen DeVos were joining them as the naming benefactors for this journey, she said, “That is so wonderful. I love Rich and Helen!” It’s no surprise to note the two-acre lake in the center of the Japanese Garden—shaped in the form of the Japanese kanji character for “heart”—is dedicated to Lena Meijer.

Lena and Fred were married 65 years at the time of Fred’s death. Despite the sadness and loneliness that followed this loss, Lena maintained her involvement at Meijer Gardens and visited often with family and friends. And grandchildren. And great-grandchildren!

Lena could often be seen having lunch in the James & Shirley Balk Café with her friends and family.

Appropriately, they would sit under Dale Chihuly’s glass masterpiece, Lena’s Garden, hanging from the ceiling. She continued to find many sources of joy from those closest and dearest to her.

It could be said that if Fred Meijer’s passion for sculpture gave Meijer Gardens its soul, Lena Meijer’s love of flowers, plants and gardens gave the institution its heart.

In form and spirit, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park mission visualizes the partnership and love of two remarkable individuals. Lena and Fred. Heart and soul.

We are saddened by Lena’s departure from us, yet eternally grateful for her long and wonderful life. Lena’s presence will be missed. Her warm smile, soft voice and magnanimous spirit will remain with us—year after year, season after season.

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Lena and Fred Meijer in the Milan, Italy, studio of Armaldo Pomodoro in 1999.

Top: Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory is a beautiful backdrop for the Fred and Lena Meijer sculpure.

Middle: Lena Meijer Children’s Garden, one of the largest interactive children’s gardens in the nation, opened in 2004.

Bottom: Central to Michigan’s Farm Garden is the 1880s farmhouse, a ¾-scale model of Lena Meijer’s childhood home.

In Memorium

William Hebert (top) Dean VanDis (middle and bottom)

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flower power March 1–April 30 Programming SMART Gardening to Support Monarchs (Lecture) Dr. Erwin ‘Duke’ Elsner Sunday, March 13, 2–3:30 pm Flower House Detroit (Lecture) Lisa Waud, Botanical Artist Sunday, March 27, 2 pm Flower Power Exploration Stations Sunday, April 24, 2-3:30 pm See detailed desctipions on page 19 or online at MeijerGardens.org/calendar

Member Programming Night of the Butterflies Family Parties Monday, March 14, 6-8 pm Sunday, March 20, 6-8 pm Monday, April 18, 6-8 pm Morning with the Butterflies Family Parties Sunday, April 10, 9-11 am Sunday, April 24, 9-11 am Night of the Butterflies Adult Party Monday, March 28, 7-9 pm

Sponsors Exhibition Sponsors DTE Energy Foundation Howard Miller Foundation 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 Media Sponsors STAR 105.7 Blue Lake Public Radio

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Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming From blue morphos to bromeliads and all that’s blossoming and beautiful in between, spring is abloom inside the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.

Warm up with us as our butterflies harness the magical power of flowers. Can you feel it?

More than meets the eye, flowers are transformative to the life of a butterfly. Their curious relationship is the focal point of this year’s Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming. Join us as we celebrate the 27th anniversary of our popular perennial event, the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States.

Every March and April, 60 species of butterflies and moths travel by thousands across the world to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Each week, 1,000 chrysalides make the long journey from tropical regions in Asia, Central America and South America to take flight in our soaring fivestory conservatory. This year, we welcome them with a spectacle of flowers like none other.

Flowers can provide food for butterflies and moths; nectar nourishes these winged wonders. Heliconius butterflies enrich their diet by collecting pollen grains, mixing them with nectar, and ingesting the amino acids that diffuse. This is thought to increase egg production and extend their adult lifespan—making this one of the longest-living groups of butterflies in the world.

Butterflies prefer flowers in numbers. Bloom clusters attract the most attention while serving as ideal landing platforms. Butterflies flock to brightly hued, ample nectar producers that boast open blossoms by day. As you meander the winding walkway inside our tropical paradise, look for the amazing kokedama, an arch of colorful flowers and plants that create the ultimate butterfly oasis.

The coevolution of flowering plants and their animal pollinators is among nature’s wonders. Flowers adapt to their pollinators, who in turn adapt to the plants.

This coevolutionary “race” was first explored by naturalist and biologist Charles Darwin. In 1862, he observed the foot-long spurs of the star orchid and predicted a moth existed in Madagascar with a proboscis long enough to pollinate it, even though no moth of the sort was known to exist at that time.

Darwin’s bold theory became scientific truth in 1903, with the discovery of a moth with those exact characteristics. The star orchids here at Meijer Gardens show the connection betweem his story, the exhibition theme and our collection.

The power of flowers extends to people. Caring for plants is believed to improve relationships, increase compassion and raise environmental consciousness.

Immersion in horticulture has even been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, while enhancing creativity, memory, productivity, and overall wellbeing. Ever the more reason to visit Meijer Gardens, especially during this unforgettable exhibition.

While you’re here with us, don’t miss the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse and our companion exhibition, The Caterpillar Room, where elevated milkweed plants offer a close-up look at hungry caterpillars and pupae. Peer in closer and search for brightly striped monarch caterpillars munching on milkweed mixed in with spring plantings. Other points of interest include Tuesday Night Lights in the Tropical Conservatory, outdoor activities in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden, Springtime Walks in Michigan’s Farm Garden, the Secchia Garden Lecture Series, and Who Am I? A Butterfly Ballet, choreographed by Attila Mosolygo and performed by the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company.

We look forward to soaking up the Flower Power with you and your families.

William Hebert

Flower Power

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Yinka Shonibare CBE:

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Shonibare CBE, Yinka (1965- ). Air Kid (Boy), 2020. Fibreglass mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, globe, brass, steel baseplate, umbrella.

Collection of the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation. © Yinka Shonibare, courtesy of the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation, Phoebe d’Heurle.

E: Planets in My Head After being closed for renovations, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park sculpture galleries are reopening with the major exhibition Yinka Shonibare CBE: Planets in My Head. Shonibare is among the most distinguished artists living and working in the world today. A British artist of Nigerian heritage, his titles include Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) and Royal Academician (RA). In collaboration with the artist and his studio in London, the Stephen Friedman Gallery, James Cohan Gallery, Cristea Roberts Gallery, the Speed Art Museum, and private collectors, Meijer Gardens is mounting one of the largest exhibitions of works by Shonibare ever presented in the United States.

Shonibare is among the most exemplary and iconic artists working from a postcolonial perspective.

Born in London, England, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, he grew up bilingual and bicultural, experiencing the late British Empire from multiple, often contradictory perspectives. This made him a selfdeclared “postcolonial hybrid” who equally claims his heritage in British Victorianism and Nigerian Yoruba traditions. Cultural hybridity attracted Shonibare to the history of colorful wax fabric sold as typical African design at London markets. He later learned it was originally developed by Dutch merchants in response to Indonesian batik—a wax-resist dyeing technique applied to cloth. Only after it failed to sell on the Indonesian market did the Dutch begin to export it to West Africa, where it was highly valued and eventually embraced as authentically African.

Yinka Shonibare CBE: Planets in My Head is a journey into the artist’s imagination. Taken from a sculpture group featuring globes with planetary constellations, the title is a metaphor for Shonibare’s inventiveness in responding to the world around him. Following the path of his imagination can be dizzying, yet rewarding at the same time. One can find magic and beauty in the endless possibilities of color patterns and design, yet with these whimsical and staged sculptures and sculptural environments Shonibare expresses his concern in topics such as Sculpture

Victorian excess, climate change, and migration.

Hidden within the artist’s playfulness is often a warning about our future or a surprising history reinterpretation. While the concepts of his sculptures speak to Shonibare’s concerns with postcolonial revisionism and social justice, they always offer elegant and delightful visual experiences.

One must see this exhibition to understand the breadth of Shonibare’s vision. The Dutch wax fabric he adopted as a unique form of postcolonial expression covers many of the fiberglass sculptures as textiles or as patterns that are painted on. The artist consistently looks at the past as a resource for contemporary revision and reinterpretation, from classical Greco-Roman statues to Enlightenment philosophers and African masks referenced in modern art. Several sculptures feature children and the challenges they face, whether climate change or education. Included are more recent works in embroidery and collage, featuring distorted images of people, animals, and plants Western European medieval map makers invented to represent nonEuropean creatures. Of special note: A new work Shonibare designed for this exhibition, titled Food Man, is inspired by West Michigan’s history as a place of fruit orchards and other farm-grown crops.

This exhibition is the culmination of a relationship between Meijer Gardens and the artist, which began when we acquired Shonibare’s Farnese Hercules and Aphrodite de Fréjus—gifts of Fred and Lena Meijer now displayed in the Welcome Center.

Exhibition planning in conversation with the artist and his studio continued remotely throughout the pandemic. In the process, we acquired the beautiful sculpture Bronze, an abstract form resembling a piece of fabric tossed by the wind. Bronze is a gift of Fred and Lena Meijer and The Holly Peterson Foundation. The new sculpture will premiere in the exhibition and later find a more permanent home in one of our outdoor spaces.

April 1–October 23 Programming Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop with Mursalata Muhammad Saturday, April 16, 1:30–3 pm Registration required Gallery Walk led by Amber Oudsema Saturday, May 14, 11 am–12 pm Fashion in Contemporary Art (Lecture) Suzanne Eberle, PhD Saturday, June 18, 11 am–12 pm Abundance and Scarcity: Yinka Shonibare CBE and Food Justice (Lecture) Jochen Wierich, PhD Saturday, July 16, 11 am–12 pm Complex Embodiment: Yinka Shonibare and Disability (Lecture) Jessica Cooley Saturday, September 3/10, 11 am–12 pm Yinka Shonibare and the Pan-African Imagination (Lecture) Antawan Bryd Saturday, October 1, 11 am–12 pm See detailed descriptions on page 19 or online at MeijerGardens.org/calendar

Member Programming Society Preview March 30, 6–8 pm General Member Opening March 31, 6–8 pm

Sponsors Bill Padnos & Margy Kaye The Louis and Helen Padnos Foundation 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

Essay by Jochen Wierich, PhD, Assistant Curator & Researcher 13

The Doehne Wildflower Meadow: Blaze Before Blooms Tucked between the spruce-topped hills and wooded outcroppings of the Sculpture Park lies the Doehne Wildflower Meadow, named in honor of Harry and Elin Doehne. This diverse planting, about three-quarters of an acre, features a mixture of native Michigan grasses and wildflowers and is home to Scarlatti, a sculpture by Mark di Suvero.

Harry and Elin Doehne were wildflower farmers, interested in preserving part of Michigan’s natural heritage by growing and distributing seeds of native wildflowers that would have been found here prior to the arrival of European settlers. The Doehnes’ shared passion for these plants started in 1987, when Elin attended a wildflower conference at Michigan State University. There she learned the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) needed a source of native Michigan wildflower seed for the many highway and freeway projects around the state. The Doehnes lived on a 100-acre strawberry farm in Portland and, in 1988, dedicated several acres to wildflower production. Their Michigan Wildflower Farm had begun.

To view a video of our most recent controlled burn visit bit.ly/FMGburn.

The Doehne Wildflower Meadow was installed almost 20 years ago, in fall 2002, a primary feature of the Sculpture Park that opened this same year.

The original planting included several types of coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, spiderwort, coreopsis, white wild indigo, asters, butterfly weed, little bluestem, rattlesnake master, and prairie dropseed as well as several other native grasses and forbs, or broadleaf perennials. Most plants were started from seed. Small plants called “plugs” were planted around the perimeter of the meadow and included those species that did not germinate as easily from seed. In total, over 35 unique plant varieties may now be observed in this diverse space, along with the abundance of wildlife this meadow supports—birds, caterpillars, butterflies, moths, bees, rabbits and more.

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Content Horticulture

John VanderHaagen

The native plants grew slowly those first few years.

Eventually, as competition from nonnative weeds increased, it was determined a controlled burn would be beneficial. The first coordinated burn for this area was organized in March 2010. Fire, an essential part of the meadow landscape, has become an important ecological tool for the management of this space.

A carefully choreographed burn, happening in early spring, has several notable benefits. Fire can remove thatch—dead vegetation from previous years— exposing the soil beneath. Sunlight hitting that soil can increase microbial and root activity, making nutrients more available to plants and triggering seed germination among some species. Fire suppresses the nonnative species, while at the same time giving fire-adapted native species as much as four more weeks in the growing season. Plants that begin their seasonal growth spurt right after the fire benefit greatly, as it removes many of their competitors for light, nutrients and moisture. The soil is enriched by the burning vegetation and these nutrients are then utilized for a new season’s growth.

The controlled use of fire has now been employed in this area several times, happening every three to five years. This spring, the Doehne Wildflower Meadow will be burned again.

Top to bottom: Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium L.), Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum).

The anticipation before a prescribed burn is palpable. There is much discussion in the weeks and days preceding it. There will be many mornings with “will we or won’t we” discussion leading up to that perfect morning to burn. The final date won’t be known until the morning we receive the thumbs up from the fire coordinator. The wind will be holding up and morning dew will subside, allowing the dead plant material—left to dry from the previous year—to catch fire. Plants near the sculpture base and other sensitive areas are carefully burned first; lights are protected. The whole process, from first flame to final wisp of smoke, will be over in a couple of hours.

The blackened soil will now warm with the sun; spring rains will bring new life to the meadow.

Throughout spring and summer, the varied plantings of native wildflowers will ebb and flow.

Some wildflowers are knee high, others will reach over six feet tall. Changing waves of color and texture can be enjoyed week after week—a legacy of the passion and commitment Harry and Elin Doehne had for our Michigan wildflowers.

Essay by Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture Horticulture

Erin Zacek (top), Steve LaWarre (middle, bottom)

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The Master Lecture Series: Secchia Garden Lectures These annual lectures are made possible by the Secchia Family.

Captioning service will be provided for the lecture.

Please direct questions to Eve Choi at 616-975-3145 or echoi@meijergardens.org Pictured: Mark di Suvero, Scarlatti 1994-2000.

Steel. © Mark di Suvero.

Erin Zacek.

The arrival of spring ushers in the perfect time to gear up for gardening! Whether you’re a long-time garden aficionado or starting to garden for the first time, the changing of the season provides a chance to rediscover the potential of a space, no matter its size—from large yards to small containers.

This year’s Secchia Garden Lecture speakers will inspire us to rethink how native plants are incorporated into our gardens and challenge us to landscape both with and like nature. A visit to The Doehne Wildflower Meadow at Meijer Gardens shows a wonderful example of this approach to garden design. The Wildflower Meadow—planted

with native grasses and wildflowers—has minimal irrigation needs, supports local wildlife, promotes biodiversity, limits environmental pollution, and serves as a breathtaking setting for Mark di Suvero’s monumental sculpture Scarlatti. Together, we will share lessons on the importance of bringing nature home and learn how everyone can use natural processes to make their yard both beautiful and easier to maintain!

The Master Lecture Series is free for members, general admission for nonmembers. Registration is required and opens March 1 at MeijerGardens.org/calendar.

A Chickadee’s Guide to Gardening* Doug Tallamy, PhD Tuesday, April 12, 7 pm

“What if each American landowner converted half of his or her yard to productive native plant communities? Even moderate success could collectively restore some semblance of ecosystem function to more than 20 million acres of what is now ecological wasteland.”

Join us as we welcome sought-after speaker, awardwinning author and renowned ecologist Doug Tallamy, as he kicks off the Secchia Garden Lecture Series. He is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored more than 100 scientific research publications and taught for over 40 years. A primary goal in his research is to understand how insects interact with plants and how those interactions impact diversity within animal communities. His scientific research serves as the foundation for his message and the driving force behind his urgency to inspire Americans to incorporate more North American flora into their landscapes, helping create what he calls “a Homegrown National Park.”

In his lecture, Dr. Tallamy will discuss how past approaches to landscape design have focused strictly on our own pleasure, without consideration of the impact our practices might have on the natural world around us. These landscapes often support limited wildlife and don’t meaningfully contribute to local ecosystem function. Using chickadees and other wildlife as guides, he will explain how plants that evolved in concert with local animals provide for their needs better than plants that evolved elsewhere.

In the process, he’ll show how creating living landscapes by sharing our spaces with other living things will not detract from our pleasurable garden experiences, but enhance them.

Dr. Doug Tallamy’s book, Nature’s Best Hope, will be available in the DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop. A book signing with the author will take place immediately following the lecture.

Secchia Garden Lecture Series

Naturescape Your Yard* Karen Bussolini Tuesday, April 26, 7 pm

“I have a belief that the plants we choose in our gardens can have a really beneficial effect, and I don’t see any reason why plants can’t be beautiful, please us, support wildlife and solve problems at the same time.”

After Doug Tallamy presents “the why,” we’re excited to welcome Karen Bussolini as she shares “the how” for creating sustainable yards and gardens that also serve the needs of the people who use them. Karen Bussolini is a widely published garden photographer, speaker, writer, NOFA-Accredited Organic Land Care Professional and eco-friendly garden coach.

Her garden has been featured in multiple publications, including Anne Raver’s A Hillside of Feisty Beauties in the New York Times. Although she has been a gardener for as long as she can remember, Bussolini was originally trained as a painter and had a career as an architectural photographer before shifting her focus solely to gardens. Karen’s work explores the various ways gardening connects us not only to our place on Earth but also to each other.

In her lecture, Bussolini will model how we can look to nature as a guide when creating sustainable, low-care, high-satisfaction gardens. She’ll share how naturescaping, also called ecological landscaping, is landscaping with nature. This means attracting and sustaining wildlife, using native and welladapted plants, using resources wisely, and avoiding environmental pollution. However, you’ll see naturescaping doesn’t stop there. It also means landscaping like nature: creating self-sustaining, low-maintenance landscapes by modeling the natural environment. Bussolini’s work is informed by notable ecologists and ecological designers and by her understanding that everything comes from somewhere, everything goes somewhere, and everything is connected. She’ll present big-picture ecological thinking, nitty-gritty how-to tips, and images of sustainable yards and gardens that look beautiful and function as small ecosystems.

Karen Bussolini’s book, The Naturescaping Workbook, will be available in the DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop. A book signing with the author will take place immediately following the lecture.

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

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Events

A Conversation with Oliviero Rainaldi Tuesday, April 19, 7–8 pm

Events are included with the cost of admission unless otherwise noted.

Tropical Tuesday Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory Tuesday, February 22, 5:30–8 pm (music 6–8 pm)

Looking for a way to beat the winter blues?

Escape to warmer climates by joining us for our new event, and enjoy tropical themed music provided by Mark Lavengood and accompanying musicians, as well as specialty tropical cuisine and drinks. We will also be offering an additional hands-on activity in conjunction with this event in that will leave you with something to take home.

Books in Bloom!

Peter M. Wege Library Friday, March 18 This series of creative and unique floral displays is created by our talented Horticulture team, inspired by books in the library collection. If you enjoy the beautiful floral displays that grace the admissions and information desks, check out our first quarterly display, on view for about a week.

The Art & Architecture of Lansing Bus Trip Thursday, May 19, 8:30 am–6 pm $90 members | $100 nonmembers

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Events

Italian artist Oliviero Rainaldi, well known for his artwork focused on the human figure in a post-war and contemporary setting, takes a linear approach that emphasizes humanity’s most ideal and essential qualities. Rainaldi’s sculpture The Tribute, installed at Meijer Gardens in 2006, tells the stories of a diverse group of Meijer Gardens guest experiences, as facilitated by our many knowledgeable volunteers. The Tribute was temporarily removed to accommodate the redesign of our Volunteer Tribute Garden. This spring, we welcome The Tribute back with two new interior panels, focusing on the love between Fred and Lena Meijer and the importance of water in our West Michigan and Great Lakes communities.

Hear Rainaldi share his work and inspirations, in a conversation with David Hooker and Amber Oudsema. Registration is required and will be available online at MeijerGardens.org/calendar on March 1. Note: Oliviero Rainaldi lives and works in Europe. This event may be cancelled due to travel restrictions or other concerns related to COVID. Please direct questions to Amber Oudsema at 616-975-5225.

Read & Explore: Art and Gardens Book Group Burgess Classroom, Covenant Learning Center Tuesday, May 3, 1–2:30 pm

Japanese Tea Ceremony in the Teahouse The Richard & Helen Devos Japanese Garden Saturdays: May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, 11:30 am or 2 pm $70 members | $80 nonmembers Witness the Japanese art of chanoyu, or tea ceremony, on the third Saturday of the month from May to October. 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 the sweets and matcha green tea. As an integral part of this program, all guests will utilize and enjoy original works of Shigaraki pottery from Meijer Gardens’ personal collection. Each object is a work of art, especially commissioned from some of Japan’s leading ceramics 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. Registration required at MeijerGardens.org/calendar.

Inside the Japanese Teahouse The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden Sundays: May 22, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, 1–4 pm

Join our chat about a fascinating journey in Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration.

In this beautiful and engaging story, Sara Dykman weaves together her love of nature, the science of butterfly migration, and the hazards of bicycling from Mexico to Canada and back. Whether you’re a nature lover, bicycling enthusiast or fan of a good travel book, we hope you’ll join us for a lively discussion. Registration required. Limited to 20 guests. RSVP to skilroy@meijergardens.org or call 616-975-3144.

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 on a firstcome, first-served basis. Guests will be asked to remove their shoes before entering the teahouse.

Join us as we explore amazing architecture and artwork in nearby Lansing! We’ll begin with a tour of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, learning about MSU Broad’s architecture and history before touring the exciting exhibition: Kahlo Without Borders. Curated by Cristina Kahlo—Frida Kahlo’s grandniece and an artist in her own right, Javier Roque Vázquez Juárez, and MSU Broad Art Museum Executive Director Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, Kahlo Without Borders will include photographs and facsimiles from family archives, from the Cristina Kahlo collection, and from the Oaxaca Museum of Stamp Collecting, and never-before-seen archives from Medical Center ABC, where Frida Kahlo was interned.

Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch at the historic Lansing Brewing Company in the heart of downtown Lansing. We’ll then head to the Michigan State Capitol for a guided building tour, followed by a meeting with the lead decorative painter to learn about how he keeps 19th-century art practices alive to maintain the building’s nine acres of hand-painted art. We’ll finish the trip with a scenic stroll down ArtPath—a public art and mural walk created by Michigan artists and located along the Lansing River Trail. Fee includes bus transportation, snack, lunch, admission, guided tours and all gratuities.

Expect a significant amount of standing and walking. Dress for the weather! Register at MeijerGardens.org/calendar or call 616-975-3147.

Annual Meeting, May 25, 6 pm

Everyone is welcome to attend the annual meeting at Meijer Gardens.

Dean VanDis (top)

Yinka Shonibare CBE: Planets in My Head

Shonibare CBE, Yinka. Moving Up, 2021. © Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Courtesy the artist and James Cohan Gallery, New York.

Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop with Mursalata Muhammad Saturday, April 16, 1:30–3 pm Walk through the galleries with Amber Oudsema, Curator of Arts Education. Explore common themes of Yinka Shonibare CBE’s work, including postcolonialism, environmental justice and Victorianism.

Then spend an hour with GRCC professor of English, Mursalata Muhammad, who will guide you in an ekphrastic poetry writing activity. Registration required at MeijerGardens.org/Calendar.

Gallery Walk Saturday, May 14, 11 am–12 pm Amber Oudsema, Curator of Arts Education at Meijer Gardens and Adjunct Professor of Art History at Grand Valley State University Join a guided discussion in our newly opened galleries.

Explore layered meanings in the work of artist Yinka Shonibare CBE. A self-described “post-colonial hybrid,” Shonibare explores themes of migration, food and environmental justice, and the complex relationship between Europe and Africa.

Fashion in Contemporary Art Saturday, June 18, 11 am–12 pm Suzanne Eberle, PhD, Professor Emerita, Kendall College of Art and Design Abundance and Scarcity: Yinka Shonibare CBE and Food Justice Saturday, July 16, 11 am–12 pm Jochen Wierich, PhD, Assistant Curator & Researcher at Meijer Gardens and Associate Professor of Art History at Aquinas College Complex Embodiment: Yinka Shonibare and Disability Saturday September 3/10, 11 am–12 pm Jessica Cooley, PhD candidate in the art history department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Yinka Shonibare and the Pan-African Imagination Saturday, October 1, 11 am–12 pm Antawan Bryd, PhD candidate in the art history department at Northwestern University, Weinberg Fellow, associate curator of photography and media at the Art Institute of Chicago Events

Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming

SMART Gardening to Support Monarchs* Sunday, March 13, 2–3:30 pm Dr. Erwin ‘Duke’ Elsner, Extension Educator, Michigan State University Learn how landowners and gardeners can make an impact in supporting monarch populations at home!

Dr. Elsner will highlight how lawns, gardens, and landscaping make a significant “green space” in urban and residential areas. He’ll then demonstrate how easy it is to make monarch-friendly choices in plant selection, garden design and pest management practices that help make a difference for the future of monarchs—one garden at a time.

Flower House Detroit Sunday, March 27, 2–3:30 pm Lisa Waud, Botanical Artist, Flower House Detroit In October 2015, 37 floral designers and more than 100 volunteers from across North America came together to fill an abandoned Detroit house with American-grown fresh flowers and living plants. In this lecture, botanical installation artist Lisa Waud describes her extraordinary project from idea to exhibition, discussing what about the installation was so magnetic to so many people across the world—exploring her thoughts on beauty, blight, and nostalgia, and the themes of risk-taking, logistics, and collaboration through the lens of the large-scale installation. Lisa Waud will present virtually through Zoom to the audience at Meijer Gardens.

Flower Power Exploration Stations Sunday, April 24, 2-3:30 pm Take a closer look at flowers and butterflies at a variety of stations in this self-guided drop-in program. Use microscopes and iPads to explore the powerful connection between flowers and their insect pollinators, as well as observe their striking adaptations and diversity.

Full descriptions for all events can be found at MeijerGardens.org/calendar. *Applies toward Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener education credit.

Stephen White & Co. (left), Peter McDaniel (right)

Classes and events will be subject to COVID-19 guidelines in place at the time of the event.

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Meijer Gardens Michigan All-State Bonsai Show Saturday, May 14 Vendors and Displays 9 am–5 pm Sunday, May 15 Vendors and Displays 11 am–5 pm Included with admission.

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William Hebert

Meijer Gardens presents Michigan’s largest bonsai show. Join bonsai artists, aficionados, and admirers from across the Midwest to see stunning bonsai on display throughout the Loeschner Grand Atrium and Huizenga Grand Room. Visit the sales area for a 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 guest artist Mauro Stemberger, will demonstrate pruning, wiring, and other styling techniques. Stemberger, an international award-winning bonsai artist and instructor from Italy, will be teaching two workshops during the show. Register early at MeijerGardens.org/calendar —workshops fill quickly!

Advance registration and payment required.

Email questions to classes@meijergardens.org.

Fees include admission to Meijer Gardens for class participants on the day of the class.

Cancellation Policy: withdraw from a class at least 30 days in advance for a full refund.

Withdraw 7 to 29 days in advance and receive a 50% refund. No refund if within 7 days. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147 for cancellations and/or questions.

Saturday, May 14 ‘Tiger Bark’ Ficus for Beginners 9 am–12 pm Instructed by Bill Struhar $85 members | $95 nonmembers Beginner | Eight participants Learn the basics of bonsai while 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 toward the desired design. Trees will be repotted and instructions on future care will be provided. All tools and materials will be provided.

‘Shimpaku’ Juniper Workshop 10 am–1 pm Instructed by Mark Fields $75 members | $85 nonmembers Intermediate | 10 participants Experience how ‘Shimpaku’ junipers make wonderful bonsai. In this workshop, participants who have some prior bonsai experience will explore the potential for trees that have been developed to be bonsai

Meijer Gardens Michigan All-State Bonsai Show

in the future. Wiring, styling and future development will be discussed. The trees will not be repotted during this workshop, though Mark will discuss how to determine when it is appropriate to repot a bonsai. Junipers in nursery pots will be provided. Bring your own tools and copper wire.

Japanese Tree Lilac 12:30–3:30 pm Instructed by Jim Beck $110 members | $120 nonmembers Beginner to Intermediate | Eight participants Learn how to style and care for Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata). Its best ornamental feature is its showy, fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Students will receive a 1”-to-2”diameter tree in a plastic bonsai pot with bonsai soil. Trees will be trimmed and styled but not repotted during the workshop. All tools and materials will be provided, including handouts with care instructions.

Family Fun with Ficus 1–3 pm Instructed by Scott Zomerlei $85 members | $95 nonmembers Beginner | Four family groups with children ages 10+ Bonsai can be a fun family hobby! Families will work to create a starter bonsai using Ficus.

Families will learn some basic styling skills and repot their Ficus into a training pot. Care instructions will be provided. Bring paper and pen for notes and be prepared to get a little dirty! All tools and materials will be provided.

Yews as Bonsai 1:30–4:30 pm Instructed by Ken Huth $85 members | $95 nonmembers Beginner to Intermediate | 10 participants

Sunday, May 15 Japanese Scroll Paintings: History, Symbolism and Bonsai 9–11 am Instructed by Kristine Majeske $30 members | $40 nonmembers Explore the history of Tokanoma, Japanese scroll paintings and bonsai displays with Kristine Majeske. Kristine has studied the history and symbolism of scroll painting for 25 years and has studied Japanese brush painting under three internationally and nationally recognized artists. In this lecture, she will discuss symbolism, folklore and how this knowledge applies to pairing Japanese scroll paintings to accent bonsai.

Japanese Black Pine 11 am–1:30 pm Instructed by Jim Beck $80 members | $90 nonmembers Beginner to Intermediate | Eight participants The Japanese black pine is native to Japan and one of the classic bonsai pine species.

Being extremely hearty and disease-free makes the black pine bonsai perfect for beginners (some bonsai experience recommended) and masters alike. Learn how to start developing a Japanese black pine tree for bonsai and receive future care instructions. Students will receive a ½”-diameter tree in a nursery pot in bonsai soil, and handouts with care instructions. All tools and materials will be provided.

Spruce & Juniper Forest 12–3 pm Instructed by Scott Zomerlei $160 members | $170 nonmembers Intermediate | Eight participants

Yews are excellent trees to develop into bonsai!

Participants will work to analyze nursery-grown yews to determine various development paths to become bonsai. Trimming, styling and repotting will be completed during this workshop. All tools and materials will be provided.

Learn how to create a forest-style bonsai, using both spruce and juniper nursery stock.

Participants will explore the styles of forests and recommend tree placement as well as how to best integrate two or more species in a harmonic manor. Bring your own tools. All other materials will be provided.

Bring Your Own Tree Workshop 2–5 pm Instructed by Mauro Stemberger, Guest Artist $50 members | $60 nonmembers Intermediate to Advanced | Eight participants

Bring Your Own Tree Workshop 2–5 pm Instructed by Mauro Stemberger, Guest Artist $50 members | $60 nonmembers Intermediate to Advanced | Eight participants

Bring one or two bonsai and work on styling or refining your trees with 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 bonsai, tools and appropriate wire.

Bring one or two bonsai and work on styling or refining your trees with 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 bonsai, tools and appropriate wire.

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Adult & Teen Classes Register at MeijerGardens.org/calendar.

Adult classes are open to ages 16 and up.

Teen classes are labeled with age ranges. *Applies toward Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener education credit.

Big Impact For Small Spaces* (Adults) Wednesday, March 9, 6–8 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers Instructed by Stacey Hirvela Small spaces provide big opportunity—with the right attitude and know-how. Receive 13 easy-to-implement tips to help you get the most out of your yard, even if you thought it was too hopelessly small to do anything special. With examples from small-space gardens around the world, you’ll be inspired to dream big about any garden space.

Butterfly Photography (Adults) Sun, March 20, 9–11 am $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Dusty Brown

Plant A Cut Flower Garden* (Adults) Saturday, April 9, 10 am–12 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Lori Hernandez, Three Acre Farm

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.

In this beginner’s class, learn how grow a cut flower garden; from preparing your soil and seed starting, to proper planting and harvesting techniques. Discover how to extend the growing season to have successful flowers from spring to fall and tips for making their blooms last. Plus, receive a list of tried-and-true flower varieties to get you started!

Groundcover Reimagined (Adults) Wednesday, March 23, 2–4 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers Instructed by Christopher Imler There’s more to groundcovers than Vinca and Pachysandra. Discover unique and beautiful groundcovers that will thrive in sun or shade, cover slopes, and create a living mulch that crowds out weeds. Receive helpful tips on how to properly plant and maintain groundcovers to ensure success.

Spring Zentangle (Adults) Saturday, March 26, 10 am–12 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Marjorie Goosen

Permaculture For Beginners* (Adults) Saturday, March 12, 10 am–12 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers Instructed by Jonathan Sowder, Honeybird Farms Learn about the buzzword “permaculture” in this beginner class by local farmers at Honeybird Farms, where they farm in nature’s image.

Discover methodologies instructor Jonathan Sowder and his family practice, including successional and companioning planting, composting, using rainwater catchment, and incorporating animals. Learn how to apply tried-and-true permaculture practices at any scale—whether for an urban garden or larger producing plot. Discover why mimicking the natural environment is important to keep nutrients in the soil and be better stewards to the environment, while producing healthy food for ourselves and our families.

Simple Ceramic Planter (Adults) Wednesday, March 16, 5:30–8:30 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Instructed by Harmony Nguyen Create a small garden container, just the right size for a pot of pansies. Learn hand-building techniques and use interesting tools to give your container texture, then glaze it with a pleasing color. Pick up later, after off-site firing.

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Adult & Teen Classes

Join your friends and amaze yourself with your own hidden talent in this drawing discovery session, creating unique and beautiful images inspired by the beginning of the spring season!

Learn simple repetitive patterns then add your own flair using a Sakura pen, which is yours to take home.

Create A Kokedama Orchid (Adults) Saturday, April 9, 3–5 pm $80 members, $90 nonmembers Instructed by Josephine Fowler, Puddingstone Farm Learn the Japanese art of kokedama by planting an orchid on a moss-covered sphere that can be displayed on a tray or hung in a sunny spot in your home. Receive a lovely Phalaenopsis (moth orchid), a homemade terra cotta saucer, step-bystep instructions and a material source guide.

Discover the steps to successfully transform your orchid into a unique art form and learn how to care for and enjoy this lovely tropical plant.

No experience necessary. All materials provided.

Spring-Inspired Fused Glass Panel (Adults) Wednesday, April 13, 6–8 pm OR Thursday, April 14, 6–8 pm $80 members | $90 nonmembers Instructed by Gloria Badiner Create a fun, easel-mounted panel to brighten your home! Participants will construct a 6-by-6inch glass panel, exploring the process of dichroic mosaic to create a beautiful composition. Projects will be kiln-fired off-site and returned to Meijer Gardens for pickup. No experience necessary.

All tools and materials provided.

Floral Resin Jewelry For Teens (Ages 14–18) Saturday, April 16, 11 am–1 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers Instructed by Taylor Bultema

Mosaic Steppingstone (Adults) Tuesday, March 29, 6–9 pm $40 members | $50 nonmembers Instructed by Cindy Len Add extra beauty to your garden or landscaping this spring with a mosaic steppingstone! Learn the process of inlaying glass and ceramic pieces into concrete-filled molds, creating a composition of your choice. Bring your own fun trinkets to add to the piece, such as keys, broken pottery, and seashells, and choose from the large selection provided. Steppingstones will be kept at Meijer Gardens until the concrete has set, to be picked up at a later date.

Learn how to create epoxy resin jewelry from start to finish including how to pour and cure the material to achieve a perfect base. Then let your creativity flow by designing a striking floral composition, with optional decorative elements such as glitters and foils. Bring your own dried organic materials or choose from our selection.

Native Landscaping for Sun and Shade* (Adults) Tuesday, April 19, 5–7:30 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Mandi Michielsen, Hum Native Plantscapes

Floral Chinese Ink Drawing (Adults) Saturday, May 7, 1:30–4:30 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers Instructed by Lotus Liu Learn ink drawing techniques using traditional Chinese methods and brushes. Spend time exploring spring blooms on our grounds, then come back to the classroom for a guided painting activity of floral designs on rice paper.

Photography 101 For Teens (Ages 14–18) Tuesday, May 17, 6–8:30 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Ashlee McGreevy Discover how landscaping with native plants can better support birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. This class will go over how to get started, tried-and-true plants for sun and shade, where to source plants or seeds, and best practices for maintaining. Be inspired to incorporate native perennials into your yard of any size to partner with wildlife, add color throughout the season, as well as winter interest.

Following the indoor presentation, we will take a walk around Meijer Gardens, weather permitting, to see how we incorporate native plants in our gardens. Students will receive a list of tried-andtrue shady and sunny native plants along with a voucher for the Kent Conservation District Native Plant Sale.

Learn the foundations of digital photography, including how, when and why to take your camera off automatic. Explore how to navigate camera settings such as shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Gain a better understanding of composition and lighting to get the most Instagram-worthy photos.

From Pebbles To Boulders (Adults) Wednesday, May 18, 5–7:30 pm $25 members, $35 nonmembers Instructed by Chris Major

Watercolor In The Japanese Garden (Adults) Saturday, April 23, 10 am–1 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Instructed by Nancy Hart Start with a short lesson in the classroom, learning tips and tricks from an experienced art professor. Then head outside to use your newly acquired skills, moving around the Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden to capture beautiful spring flowers and trees.

Create mini-landscapes or work up close to your subject in this tranquil environment.

Adult & Teen Classes

Create a unique and beautiful living wreath!

Starting with a 16-inch wreath base, build a lovely form including a selection of hanging and colorful plants and flowers. Learn how to ensure success throughout the season and leave with instructions to create living wreaths for years to come. No experience necessary. All materials are provided.

Ikebana-Inspired Iris Floral Arrangement (Adults) Saturday, June 4, 12-2 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Instructed by Mandi Stade Create a unique floral arrangement based on principles of ikebana, the Japanese art of floral design. Learn about equipment that is needed; how to select branches, flowers and other plant material; and how to arrange them to create a composition that reflects the beauty found in nature during spring. Taught by a certified instructor with rank of 4th Grade Sogetsu Ikebana Teacher. No experience necessary.

All materials provided. Includes admission to the Iris Show, Saturday, June 4.

Spring Foraging (Adults) Thursday, June 9, 11 am–3 pm $60 members | $70 nonmembers Location: Outdoor Discovery Center, Holland, Michigan Instructed by Maggie Conklin, LadyHawk Nutrition

Painting With Wool (Adults) Friday, April 22, 1–4:30 pm OR Saturday April 23, 1–4:30 pm $80 members | $90 nonmembers Instructed by Kathy Forzley Learn how to create a beautiful impressioniststyle painting using wool fiber and wet felting techniques! Use a photo of your choice for inspiration to create a simple flower design, still life or landscape. The instructor will discuss techniques for adding color and demonstrate how to prepare the wool base, create flower and leaf shapes, and ways to enhance your layout. At the end of the workshop, leave with a beautiful textural piece that can be further embellished with hand embroidery, machine stitching, beading and other decorations (optional). Your finished piece can be mounted on canvas, framed, or made into a pillow cover or another decorative accessory. Most materials provided.

Spring Colors Living Wreath (Adults) Thursday, May 26, 2–4 pm $80 member | $90 nonmembers Instructed by Elizabeth Wesley-Martin, Meijer Gardens Horticulturist

From small pebbles to large boulders, learn how stone is used in landscape and garden design on different scales. Discover what kinds of stone can be sourced locally, stone characteristics and qualities, stone placement, and the relationship between plant material and stone. End class with a tour of Meijer Gardens, weather permitting, to look at specific examples and discuss how you could use stone in your own landscaping, keeping budget, scale, and material type in mind.

Art Journaling (Adults) Thursday, May 26, 10 am–1 pm $65 members | $75 nonmembers Instructed by Katie Reitemeier Art journaling is the perfect outlet for relaxed, colorful expression. Part scrapbook, part diary, it’s a stress-free way to play with color while capturing words and memories you treasure— all in one place. Receive a 9”x12” art journal and use sprays, stencils, sponging, transfers, oil pastels, artist inks, and much more to create backgrounds for your journaling. No prior art experience required.

In this off-site class at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Michigan, you’ll learn about the abundance of “wild foods” in Southwest Michigan and discover how sustainable foraging can deepen your connection with the natural environment. Maggie Conklin ND BCDTN BCMH, Maven of Heirloom Academy and owner of LadyHawk Nutrition, will blend instruction in an outdoor classroom and guided walks to highlight the seasonal identification and ethnobotany of these plants and challenge notions of what many might view as weeds.

Expect a fair amount of walking and standing.

Bring a notebook and dress for the weather.

Fee includes a snack, water bottle, boxed lunch, information and resources to guide future foraging endeavors, and all gratuities.

For scholariship assistance call 616-974-5225.

Classes will be subject to COVID-19 guidelines in place at the time of the event.

Cancellation Policy: withdraw from a class at least 30 days in advance for a full refund.

Withdraw 7 to 29 days in advance and receive a 50% refund. No refund if within 7 days. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147 for cancellations and/or questions.

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Child & Family

Events Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming March 1–April 30, Daylight hours only.

Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Earth Day – Every Day! Saturday, April 23, 1–4 pm Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Butterflies are blooming for all ages in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Whether you’re looking for guided or self-guided play, check at the Information Center to discover which engaging outdoor activities await you.

Activities vary daily: • Join us Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 am for spring-themed stories about butterflies, moths, gardens, and rain!

• Participate in Discovery Cart Activities including fun, educational butterfly and insect-themed games.

• Navigate the Butterfly Maze.

• Discover butterfly and moth-themed books and a giant butterfly puzzle in the Log Cabin.

• Pose for a photo in the people-sized butterfly chair.

Celebrate Earth awareness the Children’s Garden way.

Activities will include: nature walks, interactive stories, live Michigan animal demonstrations, and a collaborative nature weaving on our giant weaving loom.

Farm Garden Springtime Walks Wednesday, April 13, 20 and 27, 10 am Michigan’s Farm Garden The Farm Garden will be the focus for these wonderful springtime walks for preschoolers and their families.

Each week, kids will explore the Farm, participate in kidfriendly activities and listen to fun farm stories. Hope to see you down on the Farm! Themes include: • Finding Out About Farm Animals • How Does the Farm Garden Grow?

• Old-Fashioned Farm Fun

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Events are included with the cost of admission unless otherwise noted. Classes will be subject to COVID-19 guidelines in place at the time of the event.

Child & Family Events

“A-May-zing” Children’s Garden Discoveries!

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, May 2–31, 10:30 am Lena Meijer Children’s Garden Observe, listen, and learn how May is a time for gardens, flowers, animals, and more! Activities vary daily and may include: mini naturalist walks, outdoor games, springthemed storytimes, and interactive puppet shows.

Just for Moms Saturday, May 7, 10 am–12 pm Lena Meijer Children’s Garden Treat your mom (or another special person in your life) with unique Mother’s Day activities in the Children’s Garden. Activities will include: Mom Appreciation stories, “Mom and Me” music time, and exploration in the gardens to discover favorite colors and flowers.

Summer Camps Save the Date!

We’re planning a summer full of fun camp opportunities for learners ages 4–14! Registration opens March 15 at MeijerGardens.org/calendar.

Peter McDaniel (left), Tony Norkus (right)

Classes

Wake Up Spring! (4–5 with Adult) Tuesday, April 5, 10–11:30 am $15 members | $18 nonmembers Instructed by Jennifer Gilmore

Fun With Flowers: Spring Floral Wreaths (5+ with Adult) Tuesday, April 12, 7–9 pm $20 members | $24 nonmembers Instructed by Kara Wilkinson

Advance registration and payment required.

Register at MeijerGardens.org/Calendar.

Fees include admission to Meijer Gardens for participants on the day of the class.

Learn about our friendly pollinators, native Mason bees, and make a hanging bee house.

Then pot a “bee-utiful” plant in an eco-friendly container. Place it near your bee house to attract our winged friends.

Be inspired by spring and learn fun facts about flowers. Using a variety of fresh blooms and natural elements, create a one-of-a-kind floral wreath to wear or display!

Primary Printmaking (10–14) Sunday, March 13, 1–3 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Taylor Bultema

Beginning Batik (8–10) Tuesday, April 5, 1–3 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Vickie Wilkinson

Plein Air Painting: Blossoms In The Japanese Garden (6-10) Saturday, April 30, 1–3 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Denise Devries

Visit the Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden to get inspired by nature and learn about the fascinating life of Michigan artist, poet, educator, and philosopher Gwen Frostic.

Then head to the classroom to create a set of collagraphs—prints made by collaging textured materials onto a rigid surface, which is then inked and transferred onto paper.

Become inspired by the sculpture of Yinka Shonibare CBE and his use of colorful Dutch wax-printed fabrics. Learn about the unique process of batik and experiment with the tools, techniques, and processes of resist dying.

Create a colorful fabric sampler to take home.

Learn the history and techniques of plein air— or outdoor—painting. Explore The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden with an artist’s eye to discover the variety of spring blooms.

Then, using the colors, shapes and textures as inspiration, create a masterpiece all your own!

Mini Japanese Garden (6–10 with Adult) Wednesday, April 6, 10–11:30 am $15 members | $18 nonmembers Instructed by Erin Willet

Bees And Biscuits (Families with children ages 5+) Saturday, May 21, 10 am–12 pm $45 per member family | $55 per nonmember family Instructed by Amy Wood

Explore The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden as you discover traditional Japanese Garden elements and what makes this garden unique. Participants will then work together to create their own distinctive tabletop garden.

Explore the fascinating world of honeybees: Where do bees sleep, what do they eat, why are they so important to us all? Listen to honeybee stories and play a variety of honeybee games— and together create simple biscuits in order to sample a variety of honey.

Simple Ceramics (10–14) Saturday, March 19, 10 am–12 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Mary Lamson-Burke Get creative with clay! Learn about and try your hand at a variety of hand-building techniques.

Create a sampling of simple pots, include interesting textures, shapes, and patterns, then use or display your creations at home!

Flower Power: Finding Out About Flowers (5–8) Saturday, March 26, 10 am–12 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Denise Devries Explore flowers closely using microscopes and hand lenses, and learn the importance of each part. Then create funky, fun, 2D and 3D floral designs to take home.

Butterfly Fun (5-7) Wednesday, April 6, 12:30–2:30 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Erin Willet Let the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition spark your creativity as you observe an array of colorful butterflies. Learn how a caterpillar changes into a butterfly by playing an engaging butterfly game. Create a mask and wings to wear while listening to butterfly stories.

Preschool Explorations $15 members | $18 nonmembers per session Designed for preschool-aged children with an adult, this series investigates a variety of themes in various interesting locations throughout our gardens and grounds—in a preschool-friendly way! Instructor Molly Carlson will engage participants in curious discovery and use their senses to explore and wonder. Sign up for one session or all three.

Content Child & Family Classes

Email questions to classes@meijergardens.org.

For scholariship assistance call 616-974-5225.

Cancellation Policy: withdraw from a class at least 30 days in advance for a full refund.

Withdraw 7 to 29 days in advance and receive a 50% refund. No refund if within 7 days. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147 for cancellations and/or questions.

Sculpture! Wednesday, May 4 , 10–11:30 am

Ride the Kid’s Tram around the Sculpture Park and discover the many colors, shapes and textures found in sculpture. View sculptures that are really tall—and some that are really small! Then use your hands to create your own sensational sculpture.

Water! Wednesday, May 11, 10–11:30 am

Who needs water? We all do! Come with us on a Kid’s Tram ride around Meijer Gardens and explore where water is, how we use water, and who or what needs water. Then, back in the classroom, investigate the amazing properties of water with fun, kid-friendly experiments!

Spring! Wednesday, May 18, 10–11:30 am

Spring has sprung! Join us for a Kid’s Tram ride around Meijer Gardens as we explore spring. We’ll make a special stop at Michigan’s Farm Garden to investigate plants and sculptures—while looking for and collecting signs of spring!

Credit

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Quarterly Tributes In Honor

In Memory

Adela Beatrice Correal Anonymous

Beverly Barrett Susan G. Campbell

Bill DeVries Cori VanderLey

Jane Brink Elise & Tom Roe

Lena Meijer James & Gail Fahner

Ann Cameron Randi Richner & Eric Russell Fred & Deb Steketee

Marjorie Pirai Anonymous Margaret Burr Taylor Larry & Susan Blose Thomas Burr Thomas & Sandra Burr Whitney Burr Judith Coby & Joseph Doyle Darylee & Sam Coplin Judith Dawson Betsy Gardner Eckbert Michelle & Chris Gardner Nancy Gritter Betty Harris KittyJo Hooten Martha Kalnins Craig & Roberta M. Kuntz Evelyn Liversedge Paula Morse Amy Paschack B. Camille Reinhardt Agnes Schoen Susan Taylor John Terwilliger William & Carole Warren Richard Warren Susan Wold Kathryn Klarich

Marianne Czechowskyj Brandi & Michael Czechowskyj Laurie Dahlstrom Angela, Aaron & Zachary Cote Allison Ulrich Charles Ulrich Margaret Dawe Barbara & James Long David & Janet Matthews Nancy & Geoffrey McDavid Leon & Kristen Motz Amy & Walt Plant Christy Reynolds Lowell Rinker Pat Rinker Sarah Toman John Ferroli Matthew & Irma Ferroli Roberta Johnston Jennifer Solanics Thomas Jones Susan Glafford Suzie MacKeigan Joann Lehman Matthew Karulf & Mary Kay Lehman Julie Marx Mary Ann Mapes Walter and Pamela McVeigh Amy & George Linde Diana Lightfoot & Family Diana Morgenstern Greg Carnevale & Diane Mahon Andrew & Janet Hickman Roberta Lentz Sally Schaefer John Schaefer & Doug Proctor Eileen Shedleski Dean Lake Association Rick & Diane Noorman Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Southwick Gay Adams George & Dot Vande Woude Sue VandeWoude Richard Westman Emily Brown Harold Wolfram Bruce Talen

These gifts were received between October 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.

Those honored or memorialized are shown in bold type, while donors appear in regular type.

Philanthropy Amway–Meijer, Inc. Fund for Education Established On Monday, November 29, 2021, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosted a gala event to celebrate the conclusion of our Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love capital campaign. We were thrilled to open the Garden Pavilion to our guests for their first look at Utopia, by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.

That evening, David Hooker, President & CEO, announced the establishment of the Amway–Meijer, Inc. Fund for Education. “The fund was established to help Meijer Gardens truly welcome the world by providing access for children in underserved areas.

These two donors seeded the fund with total gifts of $250,000,” Hooker said. A highlight of the night was when Candace Matthews, Meijer Gardens’ Vice Chair and former Chief Reputation Officer for Amway, spoke about her life’s experience. She eloquently stated the importance of giving all children the experiences of visiting places like Meijer Gardens.

Tony Norkus

Candace, along with her husband, Bruce, issued a $25,000 challenge grant to everyone to further build this fund. Candace, the youngest of 18 children, knows firsthand how important it is for all people to have access to the arts. Their generous gesture inspired others to give—and the challenge was met!

The fund now totals $320,000.

If you’re compelled to learn more or share your resources for this cause, please join other Meijer Gardens friends by contributing to the Amway– Meijer Inc. Fund for Education. Gifts may be made online, with a check payable to Meijer Gardens, or by calling 616-975-3170 to provide your credit card number. Visit MeijerGardens.org/learn for more information about learning opportunities and scholarships for schools.

Welcoming The World: Honoring a Legacy of Love Opening Ceremony and Dedication Many thanks to our campaign donors, Honorary Committee Members and Event Planning Committee for their help in creating a grand celebration! Please visit bit.ly/WTW_FMG online for photos of the festivities.

Top left: Jaume Plensa shares his thoughts with guests.

Center left: Bruce Matthews jokes with the audience before Candace’s $25,000 challenge grant announcement.

Bottom left, from left to right: Mr. Joan Plensa (son of Jaume Plensa and Laura Medina), Mrs. Rui Rui Plensa (spouse of Joan Plensa), Laura Medina (spouse of Jaume Plensa), Jaume Plensa, Paul Gray (Richard Gray Gallery).

Bottom right: Donnalee Holton and Betsy Borre.

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Dedication, Celebration and Change: Spring Is in the Air!

Volunteer Tribute Garden pond and surrounding wild areas. Opening July 1, the new Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall English Perennial Garden is actively being planted in anticipation of summer, with perennials following woody layers and trees that went in last autumn.

There will be plenty for visitors to enjoy in full!

Spring brings renewal, seen at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in countless ways. Spring is also when we first opened our doors. We invite you to enjoy all that is new, evolving and inspiring, as we celebrate 27 years of making the world a more welcoming place.

It’s fun to think back and visualize how significant the Meijer Gardens journey has been. When we first opened in 1995, the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory was our most iconic building. Other building elements contained two separate gift shops, now comprising the DeVos–Keeler Gift Shop. A café was located in what is now the Arthur & Elizabeth Snell Sculpture Gallery.

A smaller Peter M. Wege Library was located off a much narrower Scenic Corridor. “Everything seemed like a tiny fraction of now,” notes Librarian & Archivist Shelly Kilroy. Since the beginning, we were on pace to grow, from the conservatories to outdoor spaces, boardwalk and indoor gardens. In November 1995, we jumped into then Christmas Around the World, with the inaugural Butterflies Are Blooming not far behind.

The much-anticipated rededication of the Volunteer Tribute Garden takes place with a ribbon-cutting on April 20. This garden was originally made possible

by Fred and Lena Meijer, and Edith (Edie) and Larry Fleming. Edie, a regular Tuesday horticulture volunteer, wanted to help create a garden honoring volunteers. This completely redesigned space celebrates their commitment and devotion and is a gateway to our great outdoors. Everyone who visits will pass through it and see how important volunteers are to Meijer Gardens.

We appreciate and applaud those who’ve been with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park since the beginning!

Staff Dawn Kibben, Executive Vice President & CFO Shelly Kilroy, Librarian & Archivist Volunteers Sarabeth Carr Mary Forslund Barbara Beineman Phyllis Webb Linda Fletcher Kathy Brehm Joan Cywinski Andrea Perry Marcia Lucas Joyce DeVries Mary Lynne Peterson Valerie Peacock Susan Coussens Liz Ripley Carol Bryant Jack Gibson Christine Muldoon Gail Haebich Melvina VanderLinde 28

The garden will feature over 100 varieties of trees, shrubs, ornamental perennials, and native plantings.

Within you’ll find numerous new plants and varieties, with connections to several local nurseries. The rhododendron garden is revived and refreshed.

A reworked plaza and fresh plantings surround Mad Mom, by Tom Otterness. The reinstalled sculpture The Tribute, by Oliviero Rainaldi, honors our volunteers and commemorates Fred and Lena Meijer, whose likenesses are on its exterior and now its interior. A new outdoor classroom, situated above a wetland, allows for inspiring education opportunities.

Today, the majestic Tropical Conservatory stands in conversation with the fantastic new Welcome Center, beautifully complementing each other and saying to our guests, “Welcome to a truly special place.” The James & Shirley Balk Café is now a dedicated space expressing our mission through Dale Chihuly’s iconic Lena’s Garden sculpture and the unique Living Wall garden. The Peter M. Wege Library, now located in the Courtyard Level of the Welcome Center, is much larger and offers an adjacent reading and lounge area overlooking Mimi’s Garden. Finally, the Scenic Corridor is now the BISSELL Corridor at nearly double the size—for the benefit of all and to better showcase Michele Oka Doner’s monumental Beneath the Leafy Crown.

Oliviero Rainaldi plans to travel from Italy and participate in an evening conversation Tuesday, April 19. Weather permitting, the ribbon-cutting will be held in the garden—with as many current and retired volunteers attending as possible! President & CEO David Hooker and Rainaldi will speak in a short ceremony. We look forward to celebrating volunteers from all the years as we officially reopen the Volunteer Tribute Garden on April 20, our 27th anniversary.

We hit the ground running and we’ll never stop.

We’ve been moving, dreaming, growing—with gardens, sculpture, music. In the beginning, Fred Meijer collected and had in storage Marshall Fredericks bronzes. Then Betsy Borre came along, with an idea to create a botanical garden. Fred embraced the opportunity to incorporate his wife Lena’s love of gardens with his love of sculpture.

A world-class venue was born.

New plantings will appear throughout our grounds.

Thousands of bulbs will bloom in the Volunteer Tribute Garden and Lena Meijer Children’s Garden— such as City of Haarlem hyacinth and orange monarch crocus. Additional native plants will join the

Gratitude is a form of love. It is with deep gratitude we express our appreciation over the years to the thousands of people who joined Fred and Lena Meijer and Betsy Borre in the ongoing journey that is Meijer Gardens.

Organizational Highlights

Commissioned specifically for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and displayed prominently in the main hallway, this permanent, functional work of art is a combination of the artist’s imagination and studies of nature. Be sure to notice the bronze elements in the floor.

If you look closely, you may be able to identify leaves, roots, buds, twigs, bark and flowers.

Terrazzo aggregate, mother of pearl and bronze; 13,000 square feet. Gift of Fred and Lena Meijer.

© Michele Oka Doner.

Kevin Beswick

Business or Organization Placeholder Line Mr. Name Placeholder and Mrs. Name Placeholder 1234 Address Dr. SE Cityplace, State 49525-1234

HOURS Tuesday Monday–Saturday Sunday

9 am–9 pm 9 am–5 pm 11 am–5 pm

CONTACT

@MeijerGardens #MeijerGardens

MeijerGardens.org hello@meijergardens.org P 616-957-1580 TF 888-957-1580

We value your input! Respond to our content or submit your own via hello@meijergardens.org.

Seasons is produced quarterly and mailed to Meijer Garden’s members. If you prefer to receive your copy digitally contact 616-977-7689 or membership@meijergardens.org.

The first full weekend of each month, Meijer Gardens is open early to members. The DeVosKeeler Gift Shop, James & Shirley Balk Café and Peter M. Wege Library open at regular hours.

Saturday Sunday

Meijer Gardens is a proud member of Museums for All. Show your EBT/WIC card for a reduced admission of $2 per person for up to four people.

8 am–9 am 9 am–11 am Meijer Gardens receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Stephen White & Co.

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Yinka Shonibare CBE: Planets in My Head April 01–October 23, 2022

Girl on a Flying Machine, 2008.

Mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, steel, rubber, aluminum. © Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Courtesy the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London.

1000 East Beltline Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525

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