Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the world’s most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, was recently named the Top Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today’s “10Best” and listed as the 81st most visited museum in the world by The Art Newspaper, the leading global art news publication. The 158-acre main campus features Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory; one of the country’s largest interactive children’s gardens; arid and Victorian gardens with bronze sculptures by Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin; a carnivorous plant house; outdoor gardens, including a replica 1930s-era farm garden; an eight-acre Japanese garden featuring contemporary sculpture; and a 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater garden, showcasing an eclectic mix of world-renowned touring musicians each summer. The permanent collection highlights hundreds of sculptures from internationally acclaimed artists: Magdalena Abakanowicz, El Anatsui, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, Marshall Fredericks, Henry Moore, Michele Oka Donor, Beverly Pepper, Jaume Plensa, Auguste Rodin, Richard Serra, Yinka Shonibare CBE and Ai Weiwei, among others. Indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions have hosted shows by Jonathan Borofsky, Edgar Degas, Jim Dine, Richard Hunt, Cristina Iglesias, Rebecca Louise Law, Pablo Picasso, George Segal and others.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts.
Education programs welcome 80,000 students and guests each year. Culinary Arts & Events offerings include weddings, corporate meetings and award-winning catering.
Photo by Michael Moran
May 10 | 9 am-5 pm
May 11 | 11 am-5 pm
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park presents Michigan’s largest bonsai show. Join bonsai artists, aficionados, and admirers from across the Midwest to see stunning bonsai on display throughout the Loeschner Grand Atrium and Huizenga Grand Room. Visit the sales area for a great selection of specialty tools, pots, wire and bonsai trees. Have the experts help you find the tree that fits your taste, experience level and growing environment.
Be sure to attend complimentary demonstrations offered throughout the weekend. Bonsai artists—including this year’s guest artist, Carmen Leskoviansky—will demonstrate pruning, wiring, and other styling techniques. Carmen has worked with bonsai since 2009 and apprenticed with Michael Hagedorn of Crataegus Bonsai from 2021—2024. Carmen is now back at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum as the bonsai specialist, caring for the Dr. Melvyn C. Goldstein Bonsai Collection.
Outside of her work at the collection, Carmen co-founded The Purple Pot Society, a national bonsai club with the mission of educating and inspiring more women to do bonsai. She also co-hosts the podcast Little Things for Bonsai People. Carmen will teach two workshops during the show: and additional workshops, designed for all skill levels, are available during the weekend.
Admission to the Meijer Gardens Michigan All-State Bonsai Show is complimentary.
Applies toward Certified Green Industry Professional Continued Education Unit (CEU)
Complimentary Demonstrations
SATURDAY
10–11:30 am
Understanding and Creating a Bonsai Display with Jack Sustic
11:50 am
Awards Presentation
12–1:30 pm
Bonsai Styling with Guest Artist Carmen Leskoviansky
1:30–3:30 pm
Exploring Kusamono with Denise Bellinger
SUNDAY
12–1:30 pm
Bonsai Styling with Guest Artist Carmen Leskoviansky
2–3:30 pm
Yamadori Collection and Styling with Matt Spinniken
4 pm
People’s Choice Awards Announcement
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