The Power of Creating Connection Through Art with Meijer Gardens CEO Charles Burke (05-10-26)

About this episode

Phil Tower interviews Charles Burke about the role of art and nature in community healing and the upcoming exhibitions at Meijer Gardens.

This week on iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Charles Burke, President & CEO, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park , about the powerful role art, culture, and nature can play in helping communities reconnect and heal during challenging times. Burke reflects on his first three years leading Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, recently recognized for the third consecutive year as the Best Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today readers. Our conversation also explores Burke’s recent column, “What the World Needs Now: How Art, Culture, and Nature Can Help Heal Communities in Difficult Times,” and examines why shared experiences in cultural spaces matter more than ever in an increasingly divided and technology-driven world. Phil and Charles also discuss the return of world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly and the spectacular new Chihuly at Meijer Gardens exhibition , now open, and featuring immersive indoor and outdoor installations throughout the gardens. Plus, we also share a preview of the popular Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens series, the unique concert experience that has become one of West…

People in this episode

Host: Phil Tower

Guest: Charles Burke

Topics covered

• art
• community healing
• cultural spaces
• nature
• sculpture park
• summer concerts

Keywords

• art
• community
• Frederik Meijer Gardens
• Dale Chihuly
• sculpture park
• summer concerts
• cultural experiences

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, USA Today

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