Splendors of Shiga: Treasures from Japan

This unique exhibition—a partnership with Shiga, our sister state in Japan—heralded the opening of The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in June 2015. From shigaraki pottery, to more delicate scrolls, screens, kimono, and functional objects, works on paper and in wood changed every two months, protecting the artifacts while providing guests with a new view of the exhibition. These rare objects followed one of several themes: the landscape of Shiga, beauty in daily life, the four seasons, portraiture, animals and birds, devotional imagery, among others. A video on Shiga, its art and culture, played continuously and maps and other information about Shiga were available to guests.

Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

William Padnos and Margy Kaye

Louis and Helen Padnos Foundation

Executive Committee for Splendors of Shiga (Shiga Prefectural Government, The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga, The Museum of Shiga Prefecture, Biwako Bunkakan, The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park)

Western Michigan University Frostic School of Art

with additional support from:

Aquinas College
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Sister Cities International - Omihachiman Committee

Museum of Modern Art, Shiga
Museum of Shiga Prefecture, Biwako-Bunkakan
The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park
Omihachiman City Museums
Binmanjii Shiseki
Bunka Hoshokaii
Daiko-ji Temple
Kannon-ji Temple
Saimyo-ji Temple
Taga City Museum