Gardens appoints new board members, kicks-off 30th anniversary

ArtPeople

Oct 30

Photo courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park welcomes eight leaders to its Board of Directors as it kicks off its 30th anniversary with ENLIGHTEN, a new outdoor holiday light spectacle running on select dates from November 27 to January 4.

Joining the board are Rosalyn Bliss, Mayor of Grand Rapids; Nicole Dandridge, CEO of VA Enterprises; Terri Gaskey, Senior Vice President of Family & Talent Services at RDV Corporation; Mark Gurney, retired Founding Chair and CEO of Tetra Therapeutics; Joe Jones, President and CEO of The Hekima Group; Randy Thelen, President and CEO of The Right Place; Al Vandenberg, County Administrator and Controller for Kent County, and Richard Winn, President of AHC Hospitality.

Created in collaboration with the teams at Lightswitch and Upstaging known for producing immersive events and shows for major attractions worldwide and Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning artists, ENLIGHTEN promises to delight audiences of all ages. This immersive, one-mile outdoor experience fuses art, light, and nature – showcasing masterpieces by artists including Henry Moore, Alexander Leiberman, Roxy Paine, and Ai Weiwei, highlighted by cutting-edge light installations, synchronized music and interactive elements.

The experience continues indoors with the University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition, celebrating global cultures and holiday customs.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park recently announced record-breaking attendance for its 2024 fiscal year ending September 30, solidifying its place as one of Michigan's most-visited cultural destinations and one of the country's most-visited art museums. Over 785,250 visitors experienced art, culture, and nature at Meijer Gardens in the last year, marking the highest annual attendance in the organization's nearly 30-year history.

"We are deeply grateful for the support of our members, guests, and community partners who have made this significant achievement possible," said Charles Burke, President & CEO, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. "As we prepare for our 30th year, we remain dedicated to providing exceptional experiences that inspire and engage all who walk through our doors."

For more information, visit https://www.meijergardens.org/.