There are more than 100 exhibitions throughout the greater Miwaukee area and NCECA’s On-Site Conference Liaisons worked closely with Lew White Tours to plan routes that meet a multitude of aesthetic interests while traversing geographically efficient routes in the region. Check out NCECA’s updated exhibition guide and updated tour routes (pdf). Online shuttle and tour reservations that will get you to shows in style and are available for purchase through Lew White Tour. Feedback received on last year’s post conference survey played a big part in REDUCED PRICING for this year’s tours. Exhibition lovers will also appreciate the options and flexibility in this year’s schedule. There are two traditional/structured bus TOURS as well as three different continuously running SHUTTLES.
Racine Art Museum
On Tuesday, for only $30.00, you have the opportunity to spend 2 hours at the Racine Art Museum and 1 hour at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (Tour departs 12:30pm from the Wells Street side of the Convention Center. Tour returns 5:00pm. Drop-off is on the 4th Street alongside the Convention Center.) You’ll also have an opportunity on Friday evening to spend an hour at each of these great locations and attend the receptions for the shows they will be having during the NCECA conference. This Friday evening tour leaves at 5:00pm and returns at 9:30pm. This tour is limited to 200 people.
Lynden Sculpture Garden
On Wednesday, head north on an all-day tour with the first stop at the Kohler (the bathroom fixtures people) Design Center where you see a wall of toilets, a display of historic bathroom fixtures plus exhibitions featuring ultra modern, and expensive, bathroom and shower modules. Continue on to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan and the Lynden Sculpture Garden and Vanguard Sculpture Services. This tour will cost $49 (until Friday, March 14), and has a minimum registration of 25 participants. Tour departs at 7:45am and returns at 5:00pm
All day Wednesday and again Thursday night during the peak reception times, the Continuous Shuttles will be running. Hop on and off the bus and spend as much time as you like at each location. Buses will be maintaining an approximately 20-30 minute interval.
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
The NORTH ROUTE includes the Jewish Museum, INOVA and Kenilworth Square (in addition to the exhibitions, there are restaurants, etc. in the immediate area.), Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum (The museum is housed in an elegant former lakefront home on the bluff above Lake Michigan.), then enjoy a drive along the bluff high above Lake Michigan. The expansive Lake Michigan is on your right and on your left are the elegant homes facing the lake on your way to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union Building Art Gallery, and finally Green Gallery. Advance rate $20.00 per person
Milwaukee Art Museum
The CENTRAL ROUTE includes the Marshall Building (This stop serves four different galleries in Milwaukee’s historic ThirdWard, a restored area with boutiques, shops and unique, one-of-kind restaurants. In addition to the exhibitions in the Marshall Building it is a short walk to:
- Hot*Pop – One block south of the Marshall Building on Broadway Street.
- Tory Folliard Gallery – two blocks east on the Marshall Building on Buffalo and then right on Milwaukee St.
- Frederick Layton Gallery in the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design- three blocks south of the Marshall Building on Broadway and then one block east on Erie Street.
The next exciting stop on this shuttle is the Milwaukee Art Museum (The Art Museum is an ultra modern structure on Lake Michigan. Beautiful building and beautiful setting.) and the final stop will be Delind Gallery of Fine Art. Advance price for this shuttle is $15.00
Pritzlaff Space
The SOUTH ROUTE starts off with the exciting Pritzlaff Building, filled with Concurrent Independent Exhibitions, follows by a stop at Moxie Studio and then Walker’s Point Center for the Arts and finally the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University. Advance price for this shuttle is $15.00
Although NCECA works with Lew White and advises on the stops and routes for the Bus Tours, Bus Tours are fully operated by Lew White. Concerns about the Bus Tours should be addressed with them, either before the conference via their website, or at the conference in the Lew White Booth, adjacent to registration. Please read the following information and be aware of their policies:
All ticket sales are final; there are no refunds or exchanges.
Tour and shuttle prices have been reduced this year in response to several comments regarding the high ticket cost in previous years. This year is a “test” to see if lower ticket prices stimulate sales and make the tours and shuttles available to more Conference attendees.
The description of each tour and shuttle includes the ticket cost when purchased online (here) prior to the Conference and the price when tickets are purchased at the Conference. Purchasing your tickets prior to the Conference can represent a 25% to 33% in savings.
Tickets purchased online will be available for pickup at the “tour and Shuttle Booth” in the Registration area in the Convention Center starting at 12:00n on Tuesday, March 18th. (For those going on the Tuesday afternoon tour to Racine and Kenosha, the envelope with all your tickets will be available at the bus when you board for this tour.)
