All Artists Invited to the Grand Garden Paint-Out on September 3, 2026

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Monarch Landing, copyright Alice Wych

Artists from all around are invited to attend the Nature Artists’ Guild’s late-summer paint-out at the Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden at The Morton Arboretum on the morning of September 3, 2026.

Most paint-outs hosted by the Nature Artists’ Guild are limited to members and guests, but at this end-of-summer event, artists from, or visiting, the Chicagoland area are invited to paint or sketch along with Guild members. (Arboretum membership or a gate fee will be required for entry to the Arboretum).

Attendees will meet at the entrance to the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum at 9:30 am on Thursday, September 3, for coffee and delicious pastries before beginning their stroll through the nearby Celebration Garden, Joy of Plants Garden, and Centennial Plaza to find their inspiration.

Some seating is available within the gardens, but artists may also bring portable chairs, and restroom facilities are nearby in the Visitor Center and the Administration Building. Although drop-in artists are welcome, registration is strongly recommended so that enough pastries can be planned and weather-related updates and other details can be shared.

Guild members could use this opportunity to find their subject for this autumn’s Fauna project, a display of small works inspired by the creatures of The Morton Arboretum. (Migrating monarchs will surely stop by!)

The Bloomingdale Museum will be Hopping this Sunday!

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Tree Frog, copyright Dan Danielson

Award-winning artist (and Nature Artist Guild member), Dan Danielson, will be demonstrating his fun and fluid style of watercolor painting at the reception for the Guild’s exhibit, open to all on August 16, 2026, from 2 to 4, at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum.

The free reception for Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World, at the museum on Sunday, August 16, will be open to the public from 2 to 4 pm. Refreshments and music provided by the museum, a demonstration by Dan Danielson, and the opportunity to view more than 75 works of art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, will all contribute to a wonderful afternoon!

The exhibit will continue until September 12, and visitors can visit the museum’s website for hours and directions.

Also —

  • Guild artists will also be demonstrating inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum during the Arboretum’s 2026 Wine and Art Walk. Everyone is invited to stop by and learn more about the Guild or simply chat with an artist and watch them create between 10 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16. (Arboretum membership or a gate fee will be required for entrance to the Arboretum.)

“Rooted in Observation” Opens August 8, 2026, in Bloomingdale

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Yellowstone Tree Root detail, copyright Jeffrey Zawada

It’s that exciting pre-exhibit time for participating members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum! They will be dropping off their work today for volunteers to artfully arrange throughout the galleries for tomorrow’s opening.

Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World will be exhibited from August 8 through September 12, 2026 at the historic Bloomingdale Park District Museum. A reception will be held on Sunday, August 16, from 2 through 4, with music and light refreshments provided by the museum, and a demonstration by talented Guild artist Dan Danielson (details coming soon).

Exhibit attendees should check the museum’s website for directions, hours, and other information before planning their visit.

Cynthia Hellyer Heinz at The Morton Arboretum on August 6, 2026

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BioMorphia 2, copyright Cynthia Hellyer Heinz

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is excited to sponsor a presentation by a master of drawing and illustration, Cynthia Hellyer Heinz on August 6, 2026.

After earning a Master of Fine Arts at Northern Illinois University, Cynthia Hellyer Heinz began her long career at the university teaching and mentoring students in drawing and design.

Cynthia will share some of her insights and skills in her presentation, The Poetry of the Crone in the Woods, at The Morton Arboretum on the evening of Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 7 until 9.

The use of color pencils is the primary tool which lends itself to details and the exploration of nuance in color and light. There is a narrative on the surface of the paper as it erupts into the images. Stories unfold and are shared by the exercise of drawing. I look forward to sharing the how, what, and why of my work as an artist, story teller and teacher.

– Cynthia Hellyer Heinz

This program will be open to the public with no charge for attendance, admission to the Arboretum, or parking. Registration is not required, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.

A door prize, delicious light refreshments, and plenty of seating will add to the enjoyment of the evening!

A few reminders for members —

The Gardens at Ball, August 4, 2026

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The Gardens at Ball, photo credit Hoerr Schaudt

It’s time for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual trip to the display gardens of one of the world’s most renowned growers, Ball Horticultural!

Guild members are invited to attend one of the year’s most anticipated paint-outs at The Gardens at Ball on the morning of Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 9:30 until noon.

“What began as a row trial garden for seed varieties in 1933 has grown to encompass over 15 acres of display gardens for annuals, perennials, cut flowers and vegetables, including the newest plants from the industry’s leading breeders and marketers.”

The gardens are guaranteed to offer a glorious variety of color and form for Guild artists to capture in their sketches, paintings, or photographs. Space is limited for this opportunity, and registration is required. Coordinator Celia Rodee will contact participants with details, directions, and updates.

A few reminders —

  • The final day to register for the summer special exhibit at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum is tomorrow, July 27. Members were emailed the prospectus and registration link earlier this week.
  • The last day to submit announcements, images, and articles for the Autumn Quarterly is this Saturday, August 1. Instructions were recently emailed to Guild members.
  • The Nature Artists’ Guild will sponsor a program featuring Cynthia Hellyer Heinz on the evening of Thursday, August 6, at The Morton Arboretum. This presentation will be free and open to all, and no registration is required. Details coming soon.

Indoors and Out this July

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Clockwise: 2025 Quarterly covers, details of artwork by Ann Lamoureux, Linda Hilderbrant, Ann Lamoureux, and Jeffrey Zawada.

Nature Artists’ Guild members have lots to do this July, both indoors and out —

  • When the weather is a little less comfortable, members can spend a few cool hours indoors looking through their artwork or writing a poem or essay to contribute to the Guild’s Autumn 2026 Quarterly. Artwork images and articles can be submitted by August 1, as outlined in the July 18 email sent to members.
  • Also beginning indoors, cool and comfortable, are the casual weekly gatherings of Guild members and visitors, Coffee and Art, at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. All are welcome to stop by any Wednesday morning beginning about 9:30, and possibly move outdoors if the weather is nice. (An Arboretum membership or gate fee will be necessary to enter the Arboretum.)
  • And finally, it’s back outdoors, on another lovely day of the artists’ choosing, to find a subject to depict in their contribution to the Guild’s 8×8 small works display, Fauna, this autumn at The Morton Arboretum.

Cool, Cool Shade at the Lamoureux Garden

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Hosta, copyright Ann Lamoureux

The garden of Ann Lamoureux in Wheaton, IL will provide artists with bountiful blooms, but the top attraction this summer just might be the cool, cool shade of the towering trees.

The Lamoureux garden is full of annuals, perennials, mature trees, and nearly everything that an artist could desire for inspiration. Ann has generously offered to share her lovely garden and porch with fellow members of the Nature Artists’ Guild for a paint-out on Thursday, July 23, 2026, beginning at 9:30 am.

As always, delicious pastries and coffee will be served, and there will be plenty of room for artists to set up for a lovely morning of painting, sketching, or photographing. Registration is required, and coordinator Celia Rodee will email attendees with the address, details, and updates.

Woods Garden and Peter’s Pond, copyright Ann Lamoureux

Wonders of Summer with the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Blue Heron and Koi, copyright Carole Stone Carson

July brings a multitude of wonders for artistic inspiration, and Nature Artists’ Guild members and The Morton Arboretum are generously providing opportunities to enjoy many of them.

On the morning of Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 9:30, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will meet at fellow artist Mary Ann Thompson’s home to paint and sketch the beauty of her garden. Mary Ann’s garden is filled with wonders, including a large koi pond and swaths of floral color. Coffee and delicious pastries will be provided, and registration is required.

Two weeks later, on Thursday, July 23, another Guild member, Ann Lamoureux, will open her garden to fellow artists. The wonders of Ann’s garden include numerous large trees shading and cooling the surrounding flora, as well as the artists painting it. More about this paint-out coming soon, and registration is required.

Nature Artists’ Guild members and guests can sketch birds, butterflies, and bees at The Morton Arboretum each Wednesday morning, about 9:30, at a Coffee and Art gathering at the Visitor Center. These cool mornings, before the crowds, would be perfect opportunities for members to work on their contributions to this autumn’s small works display, “Fauna,” or to just enjoy the company of fellow artists. (An Arboretum membership or gate fee will be necessary for entry.)

Opportunities to Develop and Enhance Nature Art Skills this July

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Awakened By Sun, copyright Shuli Wang

Members (and not-yet-members) of the Nature Artists’ Guild will have numerous opportunities to learn and practice nature art skills at The Morton Arboretum this July!

Artists who paint or sketch outdoors will enjoy the Arboretum’s Plein Air Community Meet-Ups on alternate Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. The coordinator at each session will greet artists and help them locate a prime location on the grounds for capturing lovely landscapes or captivating close-ups in paint, colored pencil, pastels, ink, or other portable media.

The Nature Artists’ Guild has many fabulous fiber artists in its membership, and the Arboretum is offering space to gather on alternate Thursday evenings. These Bring your own project: Fiber Arts sessions are a fun way to share tips with and enjoy the company of fellow artists.

In addition to these meet-ups, the Arboretum is offering nature art classes and workshops taught by talented and experienced instructors (many of whom are Guild members or former presenters) that begin in July.

Cyanotype Printing – Harness sunlight to create striking blue botanical prints.

Woodblock Printing – Create relief prints from carved blocks of wood.

Natural Dye Workshop: Cochineal – Hand-dye fabric using traditional methods.

Make Your Own Gourd Birdhouse – Learn gourd art techniques and create your own beautifully decorated birdhouse.

Summer Blooms in Watercolor – Capture the shapes, colors, and intricate details of flowers in watercolor.

These meet-ups, classes, and workshops are offered by The Morton Arboretum and are open to the public. Registration is required.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Summer Paint-Outs Continue

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Thompson garden. Photo credit Mary Ann Thompson.

The next paint-out in this summer’s Nature Artists’ Guild series will feature the garden of Guild member Mary Ann Thompson in Wheaton, IL.

It is obvious from the start that Mary Ann’s exquisite garden was carefully planned by an artist using the elements of design – color, line, shape, texture, space, form and value. Those elements, along with the stunning focal point, a large koi pond, ensure that paint-out attendees will have an abundance of subject matter for their sketches, paintings, and photographs.

Mary Ann and coordinator Celia Rodee will welcome participants at 9:30 on the morning of Thursday, July 9, 2026, with coffee and delicious pastries. Interested Guild members can register here, or by contacting Celia by email, to receive the address and all the details and updates.