Grand Rapids MI – 158 acres of beauty

Known for hosting one of the most popular art competitions in the world,ArtPrize,this city’s creative side continues to flourish. Visitors can explore 158 acres of beauty at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

Grand Rapids MI offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some rooftop yoga,dance in Rosa Parks Circle or attend a symphony concert,there are many options.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) aims to create diverse platforms for experiences that enrich the human spirit and build practical skills. GRAM is a cultural anchor and beacon through dynamic exhibitions,collections and learning initiatives.

The collection of the Museum consists of over 6,000 pieces,including 3,000 works of paper (prints and drawings),1,000 design and modern crafts (furniture and ceramics,metal,glass and textiles),and 2,000 paintings. The Museum’s major holdings include Richard Diebenkorn’s painting Ingleside,and a set of concept drawings for La Grande Vitesse by Alexander Calder.

GRAM offers self-guided tours and guided activities for all age groups. There is also a Studio with art-making workshop,live music,and artist talks. In addition,the Museum’s digital publications make it easy to learn about five centuries of print masterpieces and artists’ techniques,as well as the cultural context that influenced them.

The Grand Rapids Botanical Gardens

The gardens at the University of Michigan boast mature hardwood forests,perennial and spring bulb plantings,a glass conservatory,natural wetlands and a variety of outdoor garden exhibitions. A paved nature trail takes visitors across the forested campus to the Wege Boardwalk and the Frey Stream Gardens.

Local philanthropists Fred Meijer and Lena Meijer gave 70 acres in 1995 to create a sculpture and botanical park. Opened in April of that year,it quickly established itself as a Midwest cultural attraction jointly focused on both horticulture and sculpture.

The 158-acre Meijer Gardens,or FMG,as it is known in the area,now contains three indoor conservatories (including carnivorous,tropical and arid),an 8-acre Japanese garden,nature trails and more than 40 major works of art. This is the only place on earth that blends stunning botany and thought-provoking sculpture. FMG offers a variety of hands-on activities for children,as well as an annual holiday exhibition featuring items from over 40 different countries and cultures.

The Grand Rapids Sculpture Park

Fans of horticulture are in for a treat at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The sprawling campus houses areas that showcase a wide variety of flora and fauna,including the new Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden,which opened in 2015. You can find tranquility in the tea house,bonsai,zen,and waterfall gardens.

The 158-acre botanical garden,art museum,and sculpture park is the largest in the world. It includes a large tropical conservatory,an eight-acre Japanese garden,major works of modern and contemporary sculpture on the grounds and indoors,and a series of outdoor gardens and nature trails.

More than 50 works of art are featured in the Sculpture Park and Gallery Collection by some of today’s most renowned sculptors. Plantoir is a trowel which adds a touch of whimsy to the landscape. Another example is Spider,an stainless steel sculpture created by Louise Bourgeois,that represents her mother’s weaving work.

Steel Case Pyramid

Steel Case Pyramid was once a research and design centre for a major office furnishings company. It is now one of the largest data centers in the world. It’s designed to Tier IV Gold standards and powered by electricity generated 100 percent from renewable sources,according to the company.

Grand Rapids is a great place to start a business. The city is home to more than 20 colleges and universities,with 30 percent of residents holding an associate’s degree or higher. That pool of highly educated workers helps attract companies like Amway and the breweries that put Grand Rapids on the beer map,including Founders Brewing Co.

Both the arts and food scenes are humming. In nightclubs and in parks,visitors can enjoy live music from folk to jazz. And art lovers will find plenty to admire at museums and in the annual ArtPrize event. Shopping is available at two large malls and in local boutiques.