BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. Chicago

Art Museum Transforms Into Indoor Garden for Chicago Benefit

Fleurotica, a benefit for the Garfield Park Conservatory, took place at an art museum this year—but the venue still had a garden feel.

Jenny Berg
June 26, 2013

At Fleurotica, guests draped themselves on moss-covered beds at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Ivy covered the bar, appetizers circulated on leafy plates, and models walked a runway in looks constructed entirely out of plants, flowers, and ferns. The June 12 fund-raiser for the Garfield Park Conservatory couldn't be held at the conservatory because of hail damage to its roof—the evening's take, estimated at $200,000 will help with repairs—so organizers worked to bring the spirit of the garden-filled spot to the museum. Here's a look at how co-chairs and event producers Deirdre Koldyke, Whitney Lasky, and Shauna Montgomery brought the outdoors inside and added a touch of fantasy.

Guests could pose for photos, or just lounge, on brass beds decked with mossy, flowery bedspreads. Plush pillows in bright hues featured the event logo.
Guests could pose for photos, or just lounge, on brass beds decked with mossy, flowery bedspreads. Plush pillows in bright hues featured the event logo.
Photo: David Miller
Some 30 landscape artists and floral designers created runway looks using plants, flowers, leaves, moss, and branches. H. Bloom's look (pictured) featured bright purple orchids.
Some 30 landscape artists and floral designers created runway looks using plants, flowers, leaves, moss, and branches. H. Bloom's look (pictured) featured bright purple orchids.
Photo: David Miller
At the leaf-covered bar, servers infused Willa vodka cocktails with botanical elements found at the Garfield Park Conservatory. The specialty drinks, called 'Conservancy Julep' and 'Alliance Elixir,' were served in Mason jars.
At the leaf-covered bar, servers infused Willa vodka cocktails with botanical elements found at the Garfield Park Conservatory. The specialty drinks, called "Conservancy Julep" and "Alliance Elixir," were served in Mason jars.
Photo: David Miller
Smilebooth provided a photo station with a grassy step-and-repeat and props including a flowery picture frame.
Smilebooth provided a photo station with a grassy step-and-repeat and props including a flowery picture frame.
Photo: David Miller
Appetizers circulated on trays decked with leaves and flowers. Menu items included watermelon cubes with fresh feta, tarragon, and balsamic syrup.
Appetizers circulated on trays decked with leaves and flowers. Menu items included watermelon cubes with fresh feta, tarragon, and balsamic syrup.
Photo: David Miller
Latest in Chicago
The Talbott Hotel
Chicago
9 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2025 Meetings and Events
Vela
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Salon 61
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Kindling
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Related Stories
Models wore floral fashions.
Florals
Flower Power
National Confectioners' Association's Sweets & Snacks Expo
Chicago
10 Best Ideas of the Week: Indoor Fishing Ponds, a Human-Powered Dance Floor, Shirtless Male Models in Body Paint
Viennese March
Chicago
Vertical Dancers Promote New Austrian Airline Service
Roof
Chicago
Chicago
More in Chicago
Chicago
9 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
The Talbott Hotel
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Vela
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Salon 61
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Kindling
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2024 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Ramova Theatre
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2023 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
TheWit
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cannes Lions 2025: 90+ Bold Builds and Big Ideas From the French Festival of Creativity
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Sephora
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: 10 Brands That Took Experiential Marketing to a Whole New Level
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
50 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Liquid I.V., Martha Stewart, Foot Locker, and More
Innovators
Industry Innovators 2025: Netflix
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Chase
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2023 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
The Color Factory
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Gallery Terrace at The Gwen Hotel
Sponsored
Step Inside Convene at 333 North Green in Chicago
Convene
Take a look at the space designed to reimagine how we meet and work.
Convene 333 North Green Street Chicago
Chicago
10 New Venues in Chicago for Fall 2022 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
The LaSalle Hotel
Sponsored
Why You Should Book Your Next Event at Time Out Market
Time Out Market
Trust the experts to execute your next big bash in NYC, Miami, Boston, or Chicago.
Time Out Market
Chicago
9 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2022 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzz-worthy restaurants, hotels, meetings and event spaces, and more recently opened in Chicago.
Five Iron Golf
Page 1 of 81
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.