by laura
7. October 2010 15:04
If you find yourself in the West Michigan city of Grand Rapids, (not too, too far from Chicago) be sure to check out the vast, well-groomed grounds of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The impressive facility and grounds cover over 132 acres and feature more than 160 works in the permanent collection. Temporary and permanent collections are shown within the main building’s numerous gallery spaces, several themed greenhouses and seasonal gardens, and along the winding courses and sites throughout the entire outdoor sculpture park, creating a beautiful mix of nature and art.
While enjoying the lush gardens, boardwalks and scenic trails, visitors stumble across world renowned sculpture from modern masters such as Rodin, Picasso, Moore to contemporary artists including George Segal, Oldenburg and van Bruggen, di Suvero, Caro, Richard Hunt, and many more.
The Sculpture Park is open year-round featuring seasonal attractions, and is definitely worth a trip to see all they have to offer. Yet another reason to get there before October 31, 2010 is to see the prolific glass artist Dale Chihuly’s dynamic exhibition, A New Eden. Chihuly’s second exhibition at the Sculpture Park celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Meijer Gardens and his stunning works are displayed at 15 sites throughout the property. Chihuly is represented locally by Echt Gallery in Chicago, among other galleries worldwide.
History:
The Sculpture Park opened in 1995 after 13 years of planning and fundraising by the West Michigan Horticultural Society. In 1990, Fred and Lena Meijer embraced the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture and sculpture, and has since become a top cultural destination within the Midwest region. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a non-profit organization, privately funded by grants, foundations, and individual and corporate gifts.
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