Painting/Sketching Policy
We welcome and encourage onsite painting and sketching of our collections and grounds, for personal or professional enjoyment. These activities must be carried out with utmost attention to the protection of our facilities, however, with a minimum of disruption to the visiting public.
Feel free to visit our Information Desk for a Guest Guide & Map. For the preservation and safety of our facilities, sculptures and gardens, we reserve the right to limit painting and sketching activities and locations at any time. You must follow all our rules — available at check-in or online — and agree that all sketches and paintings are for personal enjoyment and do not imply any commercial endorsement by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Materials: Please transport equipment carefully to and from your painting or sketching location. Drawing and painting materials are limited to dry materials such as pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, and pastels, including oil pastels, and wet materials including inks and water-based paints such as watercolor, gouache, acrylics, or water-miscible oil paints. No sprays or volatile liquids are allowed, due to safety and guest sensitivity concerns.
Outdoor areas: Wet and dry materials—and easels—may be used outdoors. Please be considerate of other guests by not blocking pathways. Stay on paved or mowed areas. You are responsible for any damage to artworks, plant materials, and landscape materials.
Indoor areas other than Sculpture Galleries: Sketching and painting without the use of an easel is permitted in indoor public areas. All activities and equipment must remain at least three feet away from art objects, hallways and doors. Please be considerate of other guests by not blocking viewing areas.
Indoor Sculpture Galleries: Sketching with pencil and paper only is allowed in the sculpture galleries. Artists must remain at least three feet away from art objects and gallery walls. Please be considerate of other guests by not blocking viewing areas, doors or hallways.