We’ve got some very exciting news to share! Not only will ACE have a new location in 2015, but the show will be moving to a new weekend – Friday, September 25th through Sunday, September 27th. Please be sure to save the date and help us celebrate the 31st Anniversary of the American Craft Exposition in its new home, the world-renowned Chicago Botanic Garden! Our fabulous Benefit Preview Party will kick off the festivities on Thursday evening, September 24th.
The 2015 ACE Co-chairs, Debbie Kerr and Liz Dauten, are very excited about the chosen venue and are looking forward to planning ACE’s 2015 event. “The Chicago Botanic Garden is a perfect place for ACE,” says Kerr. “During the weekend, guests will have an opportunity to stroll the magnificent grounds while enjoying the work of the country’s finest and most respected artists,” adds Dauten. “It’s going to be quite spectacular.”
2015 ACE Co-Chairs Liz Dauten and Deb Kerr with Gustavo Rodriguez, MD, NorthShore University HealthSystem.
The staff of the Chicago Botanic Garden is equally enthusiastic. “We are looking forward to hosting this nationally recognized and celebrated event, its artists and devoted patrons at the Chicago Botanic Garden,” says Harriet Resnick, Vice President, Visitor Experience and Business Development. “The Auxiliary of NorthShore’s purpose to promote health and wellness is perfectly aligned with the Garden’s mission to cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. We are confident that our venue will set the stage for a fabulous ACE.”
The stunning Chicago Botanic Garden will set a beautiful stage for ACE 2015! (Chicago Botanic Garden photos)
Presented by The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore), this juried exposition and sale of fine craft features one-of-a-kind pieces, luxury collections and uniquely creative artwork from the country’s finest craftspeople. Now celebrating its 31st year, this highly anticipated event gives guests the opportunity to appreciate and purchase stunning artwork while supporting pioneering ovarian cancer research at NorthShore…all in a beautiful new setting!
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….and is admission going to include the ridiculous parking fee the Botanical gardens demands? I love the way they say “Admission is free. Parking is $25. ($30 on weekends)”
Thank you for your inquiry! Tickets are $30 in advance for a single three-day pass and $45 for two three-day passes. Both options include one day of parking at the Garden.
I am a member of the CBG. The membership includes free parking. Does that membership privilege not apply for the show? Do I have to pay for parking included in the advanced ticket? I only have one car. I only need one parking space. Or what If I wanted to ride to CBG for the show on my bike?
Hi Ellen – Yes, your CBG membership privileges for parking do apply during ACE so you will be able to park for free throughout the weekend. There is an option to purchase a three-day pass in advance online without paying the parking fee at the following link. You will want to select the last option, “ACE: Three Day Pass”: https://register.chicagobotanic.org/search_results.asp?free_text=ACE%20show
So you get a three day pass, but can only park once? I can see why the garden is “excited,” but this sure won’t benefit the artists or those of us who attend and make purchases. I hope you find a better solution!
Both ACE and the Chicago Botanic Garden are doing their best to offer ticketing and parking options to their loyal patrons and artists. While we unfortunately cannot continue to offer free parking at our new venue, we hope show supporters will take advantage of the ticketing and parking packages we have put together and attend ACE to support ovarian cancer research and our talented artists.
Whenever I see Chicago Botanic Garden as a venue, I get angry. And bitter: organizers seemingly are only interested in attracting 1) the monied, or 2) gangs that can go 5-in-a-car. I attend events like this alone, by choice, and cannot afford $25 parking PLUS $15 ticket. Once I parked at the Braeside Metra station and walked in, only to walk even more after the entrance. I’ll be 70 in July, and can’t do it anymore.
The $2 shuttle from Glencoe Metra stops running September 6. Therefore the cheapest option would be to buy a 3-day pass for $30 and, since I’m driving down from Milwaukee, throw out two tickets !
Absurd. This income/class-based venue should be changed. Yes, I’ve made purchases at art shows–the one’s I could go to.
Hi Susan – We have made special arrangements so that the Chicago Botanic Garden Trolley’s will continue to run from the Metra Glencoe stop during the weekend of the Show. We hope this will be of assistance for you in making it to ACE.
I still don’t see an answer to Ellen’s question on whether members will be able to park for free during ACE days or whether those dates are suddenly excluded from membership?
Hi Sandy – Yes, CBG members can park for free during ACE!
How is parking being handled for the ACE volunteers?
I am very disappointed to see this great show moved to the far northern suburbs where public transportation options are very limited. Unfortunately I have not been able to drive these 2 years and am now faced with very limited transportation options. Very narrow thinking on the committees part.
We are sorry to hear of your disappointment but unfortunately due to construction constraints at our venue in Evanston, making a move to a more accessible venue was our only option.
We have made special arrangements so that the Chicago Botanic Garden Trolley’s will run from the Metra Glencoe train stop during the weekend of the Show. We hope this will be of assistance for you in making it to ACE.
We have been attending ACE for many years at Northwestern and have always enjoyed the experience. Whoever (in their misguided love for the gardens) decided to move it to the Botanic Gardens made a huge mistake for both the attending public and the artists. There must, in the greater Chicago area, be another venue that will accommodate both.
We went on Friday morning hoping to avoid the week-end crowds as my husband and I are both limited in our ability to walk and are slow getting around. We encountered problems right away, starting with the parking.
1. There is an inadequate number of Handicapped parking spots, and after finally finding a spot at the far end of the lot (not in the handicapped section)there was a long walk to even get to the first part of the exhibit.
2. The exhibition itself was extremely difficult to follow, the various rooms were confusing and easily missed. And again required a great deal of walking and back-tracking. The artists were also quite concerned that the gardens detracted from the public’s attention to their work as well as missing it altogether. I know we missed several artists that I enjoy seeing and often purchase, but we were too exhausted to try and find them.
3. When one finally got to the end of the various rooms, it required extensive back-tracking to get back to the parking lot.
There must be another field house where the set-up can be similar to that of Northwestern and where patrons are bused from the parking lot to the door of the exhibit and all the artists can be viewed in one space. Until then, I guess we will have to forget attending . It might also be helpful to be near public transportation
so that those of us who may have to give up driving can also attend. The lovely ladies in your Auxiliary might also grow old one day.
I am trying to determine the best value for 2 people in 1 car for 1 day. Am I correct that 2 daily tickets will be $30 total plus $25 parking for a total $55 vs. 2 $30 3 day passes which includes parking for $60 total?
Hi Patti – For 2 people traveling in one car to the show, the best value is our discounted offer of $45 total if purchased in advance online. If you visit the ACE ticketing page you will see that this is the offer titled “2 ACE Tickets and Parking” – It can be found here: https://register.chicagobotanic.org/search_results.asp?free_text=ACE%20show
We look forward to having you at ACE!
I am so disappointed with the cost of parking at this new venue.
I’ve been going to ACE for years in Evanston, traveling from the western suburbs- just not going to make the trip and more than the drive …PAY the high cost of parking.
Sorry to miss my favorite artists – we’ve always supported this event and bought some amazing items we cherish.
Too many other options and places to spend my $$$
Hope there are changes for next year.
How do we find out the shuttle schedule? Will it be running for the pre-show on Thursday?