The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem's American Craft Exposition (ACE) welcomes renowned artists at the Chicago Botanic Garden
The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem's (NorthShore) 38th Annual American Craft Exposition (ACE) announces its return to the Chicago Botanic Garden September 30 - October 2, with a Benefit Preview Party on September 29. General admission and Preview Party tickets are now available at americancraftexpo.org.
ACE is one of the country's longest running premier fine craft shows and features 100 exceptional artisans exhibiting unique, museum quality work. ACE is a highly competitive juried show featuring eligible media in 14 categories including, baskets, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, contemporary/semi-precious jewelry, fine/precious jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper and wood. Artists' pieces, ranging from $50 - $5,000+, are available for purchase at the show.
"On behalf of our committee of dedicated volunteers, we are excited to bring ACE back to the Chicago Botanic Garden," said ACE Co-Chair Leslie Sevcik. "The past two years have presented many challenges for the art community. We are looking forward to a weekend filled with artist interactions as they debut their beautiful hand-crafted work."
ACE is The Auxiliary's signature annual fundraiser. Proceeds from ticket sales will support innovative patient care programs at NorthShore - most notably SAVE MOMS, an initiative designed to protect and preserve maternal health before, during and after delivery.
"More than 50,000 women experience the most severe complications during pregnancy and up to 75 percent of maternal deaths in Illinois are thought to be preventable. We can do better. Proceeds from this year's ACE will help NorthShore's SAVE MOMS program, to keep moms healthy at all stages of their pregnancy and delivery," said ACE Co-Chair Gayle Stellas.
The Benefit Preview Party will be held on Thursday, September 29, 6 - 9 p.m., and provide patrons the opportunity to peruse and purchase unique works of art before the Exposition is open to the public. An elegant party with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and a festive atmosphere, the Preview Party also offers guests a more personal setting to talk with artists and learn about their work. Preview Party tickets include complimentary parking on Thursday evening.
The cost for one ACE general admission pass (includes Chicago Botanic Garden entry admission) is $18 for Chicago Botanic Garden members and $32 for non-members; additional parking fee applies for non-members. Due to COVID-19, general admission tickets are being issued on a timed ticket entry system and NorthShore will be complying with all CDC and Cook County safety guidelines at the time of the event in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden. With an expected 8,500 guests attending throughout the weekend, attendees will be required to select a time frame when purchasing their tickets.
Though proceeds do not come from artist sales, many artists participate in the voluntary "Craft for a Cause' program, in which artists make contributions to ACE's funding cause. Additional funds from ACE's raffle and online auction will go to patient care programs at NorthShore, including SAVE MOMS. Raffle tickets are one for $20 or six for $100 and can be purchased online or in person at the show. Prizes range in value from $500 to $2,800. The online auction will be available the week of ACE, with a wide variety of art pieces donated exclusively from ACE craftspeople.
For more information, visit: https://americancraftexpo.org/.
About The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem
Through its signature fundraiser ACE, The Auxiliary most recently raised over $1.13 million for the creation of a Psychiatric Urgent Care Program and the implementation of a Collaborative Care Model for providing mental health services to families. These programs aim to vastly minimize wait times for patients who are in need of urgent psychiatric care, as well as assist primary care physicians with the management of patients with low to medium risk factors. The Auxiliary supports the Hospitals and community of NorthShore not only through their fundraising events, but also through various service projects. Philanthropic donations of time and talent help The Auxiliary serve the community with an annual nursing scholarship, diaper drives for families in need and much more. For more information or to volunteer for any of these projects, contact auxiliary@northshore.org or call 224.364.7270.
About NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health
NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system committed to providing access to quality, vibrant, community-connected care, serving an area of more than 4.2 million residents across six northeast Illinois counties. Our more than 25,000 team members and more than 6,000 physicians aim to deliver transformative patient experiences and expert care close to home across more than 300 ambulatory locations and eight acute care hospitals - Edward (Naperville), Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook (Glenview), Highland Park, Northwest Community (Arlington Heights) Skokie and Swedish (Chicago) - all recognized as Magnet hospitals for nursing excellence. Located in Naperville, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, provides for the mental health needs of area residents. For more information, visit NorthShore.org, SwedishCovenant.org, NCH.org and EEHealth.org.