BUTTERFLIES BLOOM AT FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK

Click here to see our photos from the Butterflies are Blooming.

Butterflies Are Blooming: March 1 – April 30, 2010

The Nation’s Largest Temporary Tropical Butterfly Exhibition

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., — February 17, 2010 — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the nation’s most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, offers a warm and colorful getaway during the 15th annual Butterflies Are Blooming – the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States. More than 40 species of butterflies and moths will take flight in the 15,000 square foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory between March 1 and April 30, 2010.

The exhibition attracts more than 150,000 visitors annually to view thousands of butterfly species from Asia, Africa, South America and Central America. 

 

“Butterflies Are Blooming is a magical experience where the warmth, humidity and lush surroundings transport you to another place,” said Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture at FrederikMeijerGardens & SculpturePark. “Upon entering the tropical conservatory, the walls seemingly disappear and butterflies flutter and dance freely, as though no one is watching.”

Throughout the exhibition, butterflies can be viewed drinking nectar from the flowering plants and feeding stations, congregating among stream beds and flying freely within the five-story tropical conservatory. Approximately 800 chrysalides are delivered to Meijer Gardens weekly. Visitors may watch delicate chrysalides and cocoons being placed in the Butterfly Bungalow, where the unique creatures transform and take their first flight.

Long-time favorites such as the Blue Morpho, with its large metallic blue wings and the Clearwing, with its see-through wings will return. Heliconius butterflies, commonly known as Longwings, are some of the most popular butterflies in the exhibition because of their elongated forewings, delicate fluttering flight, and color and pattern variability. Others such as the Tree Nymph, Black Swordtail, Leopard Lacewing and the Atlas Moth, with its impressive six-to-twelve-inch wingspan are also expected to make appearances.

This colorful exhibition coincides with an exclusive exhibition by American artist Michele Oka Doner. Among the most versatile artists working today, Oka Doner is widely celebrated for her exquisitely beautiful public commissions as well as sculpture, prints, jewelry and functional objects that are now found in public and private collections throughout the world. The exhibition, her largest to date, shows nature as the underlying theme featuring eight large scale relief prints of human forms from organic material; several functional items including serving pieces in bronze and sterling silver, and magnifiers; and Root System a 55 square foot candelabra made of roots cast in bronze. Central to the exhibition is a large installation of 150 Soul Catchers. Spirit and Form: Michele Oka Doner and the Natural World will be on display through May 9, 2010.

Related Activities

    * Tuesday Night Lights – Bring your flashlights on Tuesday nights until 9 PM to see the nightlife in the Tropical Conservatory
    * Children’s Activities in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden – During daytime hours, children of all ages can participate in hands-on butterfly crafts, games and interactive learning. Activities are free with paid admission to Meijer Gardens.

Admission Prices

Adults – $12                                               

Seniors (65+) – $9

Students – $9

Children (5-13) – $6

Children (3-4) – $4

Children (2 and under) – Free

Hours

Monday, Wednesday – Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM; Tuesday: 9 AM – 9 PM; Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM.
*Note – Extended Sunday hours are only for the duration of the exhibition.

The 2010 Media Sponsor for the exhibition is 95.7 WLHT.

About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
One of the nation’s most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, FrederikMeijerGardens & SculpturePark serves more than a half-million visitors annually. The 132-acre grounds feature Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; one of the largest children’s gardens in the country; arid and Victorian gardens; a carnivorous plant house; outdoor gardens; and a 1750-seat outdoor amphitheater, featuring an eclectic mix of world-renowned musicians every summer. The internationally acclaimed Sculpture Park features a permanent collection including works by Rodin, Oldenburg, Calder, Moore, Bourgeois and Plensa among others. Indoor galleries host changing sculpture exhibitions with recent exhibitions by Picasso, Degas, di Suvero and Chihuly.

For additional information, please visit www.meijergardens.org.