Zooming In: Live and Interactive Virtual Visits
Join Meijer Gardens educators for live and interactive virtual visits to our Sculpture Park, gardens, and galleries to practice looking closely, thinking deeply, and asking questions to make discoveries about the world around us.
These programs are free to register and are for learners of all ages. See below to register for upcoming offerings or watch recordings of previous virtual visits.
Recorded Virtual Visits
Neurons & Seed Pods: Zooming In on Nature for Artistic Inspiration
Zoom in on Roxy Paine’s Neuron and Michele Oka Doner’s Beneath the Leafy Crown to make discoveries and connections to the natural world and between these two world class sculptures.
Zooming In on Heirloom Tomatoes
Dr. Chad Niederhuth, Assistant Professor of Plant Biology at Michigan State University, and Eve Choi, Curator of Horticultural and Environmental Education at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park take a closer look at heirloom tomatoes in celebration of the annual Heirloom Tomatoes Weekend
Zooming In on George Segal: Body Language
Curator of Arts Education, Amber Oudsema investigates what is being communicated through body language and color by looking closely at sculpture and prints in our current sculpture exhibition: George Segal: Body Language.
Super Seeds: Zooming In On Seed Dispersal
Join Meijer Gardens Classroom Activities and Education Technology Coordinator Carlie Fournier to discover more about the fascinating methods of seed dispersal that allow plants to survive and thrive in their environments.
Zooming In on Mood: Spooky Sculpture Adventure
Investigate mood while visiting and discussing four sculptures in the Sculpture Park. Look closely and ask questions to explore how these sculptures make us feel and learn a little more about the artists’ backgrounds.
Zooming In On the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden
Join Meijer Gardens’ educators for a live and interactive virtual visit to the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden. We will examine the design and function of our living rooftop garden and discuss the sculptures featured there.
Join Meijer Gardens’ educators as they visit their favorite places for reflection at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to ponder and discuss what we are grateful for in 2020.
Zooming In on Polish Holiday Traditions
Join members of the Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids to learn about the fascinating holiday traditions of handcrafting szopka and the celebrated Wigilia Supper enjoyed by people of Polish culture on Christmas Eve. Together we will look closely, think deeply, and ask questions to learn more about the rich Polish culture, heritage and traditions celebrated in our community.
Zooming In On Local Family Traditions
Join special guest presenters from Amanda Barbour’s 5th grade class at Discovery Elementary School in Kentwood as they share how traditions are celebrated in their homes. Together we will look closely, think deeply, and explore the diverse cultures and traditions celebrated in the Grand Rapids community through students’ eyes.
Zooming In on Post-Colonialism in Art
Curator of Arts Education, Amber Oudsema explores the artwork of two world renowned Black artists, El Anatsui and Chakaia Booker, who address themes of post-colonialism, racial identity, and environmentalism.
Zooming In on Women Artists at Meijer Gardens
During Women's History Month, join Curator of Arts Education, Amber Oudsema, to discuss the work of three female artists who made a monumental impact on the world of art and the feminist movement.
Zooming In on Haiku: A Virtual Writing Workshop
In celebration of National Poetry month, explore For the Garden by Jenny Holzer, a series of boulders engraved with haiku poems placed throughout the Richard & Helen Devos Japanese Garden. Get inspired by natural scenes in the Japanese Garden and try writing your own haiku!
Join Araceli from the Plaster Creek Stewards, a collaboration of Calvin University faculty, staff, and students working with local partners to restore the Plaster Creek watershed, and Meijer Gardens' Curator of Horticultural and Environmental Education, Eve Choi as they share key issues facing our local watershed and tips that anyone can follow to help support their watershed at home.
Neurons & Seed Pods: Zooming In on Nature for Artistic Inspiration
Zoom in on Roxy Paine’s Neuron and Michele Oka Doner’s Beneath the Leafy Crown to make discoveries and connections to the natural world and between these two world class sculptures.
Zooming In on Heirloom Tomatoes
Dr. Chad Niederhuth, Assistant Professor of Plant Biology at Michigan State University, and Eve Choi, Curator of Horticultural and Environmental Education at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park take a closer look at heirloom tomatoes in celebration of the annual Heirloom Tomatoes Weekend
Zooming In on George Segal: Body Language
Curator of Arts Education, Amber Oudsema investigates what is being communicated through body language and color by looking closely at sculpture and prints in our current sculpture exhibition: George Segal: Body Language.
Super Seeds: Zooming In On Seed Dispersal
Join Meijer Gardens Classroom Activities and Education Technology Coordinator Carlie Fournier to discover more about the fascinating methods of seed dispersal that allow plants to survive and thrive in their environments.
Zooming In on Mood: Spooky Sculpture Adventure
Investigate mood while visiting and discussing four sculptures in the Sculpture Park. Look closely and ask questions to explore how these sculptures make us feel and learn a little more about the artists’ backgrounds.
Zooming In On the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden
Join Meijer Gardens’ educators for a live and interactive virtual visit to the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden. We will examine the design and function of our living rooftop garden and discuss the sculptures featured there.
Join Meijer Gardens’ educators as they visit their favorite places for reflection at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to ponder and discuss what we are grateful for in 2020.
Zooming In on Polish Holiday Traditions
Join members of the Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids to learn about the fascinating holiday traditions of handcrafting szopka and the celebrated Wigilia Supper enjoyed by people of Polish culture on Christmas Eve. Together we will look closely, think deeply, and ask questions to learn more about the rich Polish culture, heritage and traditions celebrated in our community.
Zooming In On Local Family Traditions
Join special guest presenters from Amanda Barbour’s 5th grade class at Discovery Elementary School in Kentwood as they share how traditions are celebrated in their homes. Together we will look closely, think deeply, and explore the diverse cultures and traditions celebrated in the Grand Rapids community through students’ eyes.
Zooming In on Post-Colonialism in Art
Curator of Arts Education, Amber Oudsema explores the artwork of two world renowned Black artists, El Anatsui and Chakaia Booker, who address themes of post-colonialism, racial identity, and environmentalism.
Zooming In on Women Artists at Meijer Gardens
During Women's History Month, join Curator of Arts Education, Amber Oudsema, to discuss the work of three female artists who made a monumental impact on the world of art and the feminist movement.
Zooming In on Haiku: A Virtual Writing Workshop
In celebration of National Poetry month, explore For the Garden by Jenny Holzer, a series of boulders engraved with haiku poems placed throughout the Richard & Helen Devos Japanese Garden. Get inspired by natural scenes in the Japanese Garden and try writing your own haiku!
Join Araceli from the Plaster Creek Stewards, a collaboration of Calvin University faculty, staff, and students working with local partners to restore the Plaster Creek watershed, and Meijer Gardens' Curator of Horticultural and Environmental Education, Eve Choi as they share key issues facing our local watershed and tips that anyone can follow to help support their watershed at home.