The Gardens Experience
The Sculpture Collection
Internationally renowned, the Sculpture Program at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park features more than 160 works in the permanent collection sited both indoors and outdoors on the 125-acre property. Three temporary exhibitions are also developed annually, some created specifically by and for Meijer Gardens. These special exhibitions are shown within the large indoor galleries and associated indoor and outdoor spaces.
Through the permanent collections and ongoing exhibitions, Meijer Gardens has developed the reputation as one of the most significant sculpture collections in the nation.
Collections Statement:
Our permanent collection focuses on works by established and emerging sculptors from the Modern tradition to the present. Earliest works date to the second half of the 19th century with masters such as Carrier-Belluese, Degas, and Rodin. Starting with these masters, the comprehensive presentation includes sculptors from the late 19th century to the present. Works are sited in interior and exterior spaces throughout Meijer Gardens both indoor and outdoors, with more significant concentration in the 30-acre Sculpture Park.
The Permanent Collection is divided into two distinct areas, the Sculpture Park and Gallery Collection, and the Garden Trails and Conservatory Collection.
The Sculpture Park and Gallery Collection
The Sculpture Park and Gallery Collection focuses on work from the era of Auguste Rodin to the present, with representational, abstract, and non-objective styles. World renowned sculpture featured outside the Sculpture Park includes works by Calder, Rodin, Degas, Lichtenstein, George Segal, and others. This collection appears in various indoor settings more appropriate to accommodate their size, material and structure. For instance, three sculptures exist within the Victorian Garden setting: Albert Carrier-Belleuse’s Autumn Lovers, Auguste Rodin’s The Kiss and Edgar Degas’ Dancer Looking at the Sole of Her Right Foot. Throughout the interior and exterior settings, works by masters can be enjoyed.Sculpture Park | Gallery
The Garden Trails and Conservatory Collection
The Garden Trails and Conservatory Collection focuses primarily on representational, animal imagery displayed in natural surroundings.These works are most often located to enhance the garden and horticultural plantings such as in the Lena Meijer Conservatory or the English Perennial and Bulb Garden. Within Michigan's Farm Garden, the outdoor trails, and the Lena Meijer Children's Garden more whimsical representational works can be seen within settings that add to the garden experiences. Garden Trails and Conservatory Collection