Tag: Chicago Horticultural Society

Lightscape at the Botanic Garden

Lightscape at the Botanic Garden

 

 

BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS

 

 

 

Light-hearted guests leaped at the opportunity to wander through tunnels of light, amid sculptures of fancifully hued flowers and under tree paths alive with astonishing colors. It was Lightscape Preview Night at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, once again a sold-out success, raising $1 million and attracting 600 visitors.

 

Lightscape shining brightly.

Co-hosted by The Woman’s Board, Board of Directors, and Guild of the Chicago Horticultural Society, the Lightscape Preview was co-chaired by Woman’s Board members Kathy Paleczny and Karin Palasz, Board of Directors Matt Banholzer and Suzanne Burns, and Guild members Ali Gerchen and Meg Kellerman.

 

Woman’s Board co-chairs Kathy Paleczny and Karin Palasz, Board of Directors co-chair Suzanne Burns, and Guild co-chairs Ali Gerchen and Meg Kellerman.

 

Chicago Botanic Garden President and CEO Jean Franczyk with Board of Directors co-chairs Matt Banholzer and Suzanne Burns.

Lightscape was made possible by the generous support of Northern Trust and Catherine and Frederick Waddell. Culinary Landscape served as caterers for the evening, with spirits provided by Beam Suntory.

Guests enjoyed trailside hot bites and seasonal drinks while walking the all-new 1.25-mile path filled with favorite artistic installations, like the Winter Cathedral, and new and reimagined pieces, including singing Christmas trees, shooting stars, and shining space creatures.

 

Dr. Emeka Ezike and Dr. Ngozi Ezike.

 

Sally Brown Tilman and Ted Tilman with children Thomas and Caroline.

 

Sally O’Donnell, Julie O’Connor, and Beth Padgitt.

 

AnnaClare Smith and Terry Goguen.

The after-dark illuminated and music-filled trail is open through January 2. Visitors are urged to purchase tickets soon as possible as Lightscape sells out quickly.

 

 

 

The Chicago Botanic Gardens comprises 385 acres of landscaped gardens featuring millions of plants, flowers and trees in 27 different gardens. Its educational opportunities are available for all ages. This is the 20th anniversary of its Plants of Concern program to track the status of rare, threatened, and endangered species in northeast Illinois. A landmark program at the time of its conception, Plants of Concern has remained a model for long-term, collaborative community science and still represents one of the only programs of its kind in the world.

For more information, visit chicagobotanic.org.

 

Photo credit: Robert Kusel

 

Lightscape: The Perfect Path

 

 

BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS

 

 

 

The word had definitely gotten around and the anticipation was enormous. The perfect pandemic-safe path left previewers filled with fresh air and the delight of dazzling displays served up with trailside hot bites and seasonal drinks.

 

 

Lightscape, the immersive artist-inspired illuminated trail at the, attracted more than 520 guests and raised $882,000 at Preview Night recently. The all-new path features electrifying works by Chicago-based and international artists along the 1.25-mile outdoor trail through the gleaming gardens. Now in its second year, Lightscape supports the Garden’s many global scientific, research, and conservation initiatives.

 

 

 

We asked Priscilla McIntosh of Barrington who served as a preview co-chair what was her favorite stop on the trail. Here’s what she said: “I thought that the display in the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden was the most spectacular. The colors, the music of ‘Hallelujah,’ the beautiful tree images on the lawn in front of the garden was breathtaking and calming. It was a good ending to the Lightscape trail experience. It sends one home in peace and calm after a tough year.”

 

Mary Alice Miller, Judy Konen, and Priscilla McIntosh.

 

Laura Linger, Jill Delaney, and Jean Franczyk.

The Preview Night was co-sponsored by the Woman’s Board of Directors, and the Guild of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Co-chairs included Woman’s Board members McIntosh and Mary Alice Miller of Kenilworth, Board of Directors Jill Delaney (also of Kenilworth) and Laura Linger of Winnetka, and Guild members Sarah Blessing of Chicago, Lizzie Kelley of Winnetka, and Miriam Petrillo of Glencoe.

 

Jodie and Peter Berkman.

 

Jon Philips, Jane Irwin, Carol Wells, and Jerry Callaghan.

 

Kate Mitten, Ginger Glantz, and Kari Frankenberg.

Culinary Landscape catered the event. Departure delights included a backpack full of goodies and fresh baked cookies. Spirits for the event were provided by Beam Suntory. Lightscape was made possible by the generous support of Northern Trust.

 

Lydia Kelley, Elizabeth Dugan, Steve Kelley, and Tim Dugan.

 

Natalie and John Stanzi.

Photo credit: Robert Kusel