Nature Art Exhibits at The Morton Arboretum this Friday through Sunday
Artists Creating Art at The Morton Arboretum November 13 through 15
The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to present the following schedule of demonstrators for the upcoming 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum this Friday through Sunday.
In addition to enjoying over 200 works of art by more than 60 Guild artists, Arboretum visitors will have the opportunity to watch and interact with the following members as they demonstrate and discuss their methods, materials, and inspirations.
Visitors can also look forward to a reception, themed gift baskets to be raffled, and hand-painted ornaments and artist-inspired greeting cards for sale. The exhibit is open to all Arboretum visitors, and no registration or extra fee is required.
The reception on Friday evening from 5 to 8 will include free light refreshments and a cash bar, and is open to all at no charge for Arboretum admission, parking, or attending the exhibit. Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the reception to be admitted and directed to parking.
‘Fauna’ coming to The Morton Arboretum November 13 through 15, 2026
In less than ten days, the reception area of The Morton Arboretum’s Administration Building will be filled with fauna (artwork)!
This special display of more than 50 small works will be shown from November 13 to 15, 2026, along with the Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual Autumn Art Exhibit in the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum.
Fauna is this year’s theme for the 8 by 8-inch works honoring The Morton Arboretum by members of the Guild. These small jewels will complement the main 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit of over 200 pieces by more than 60 Guild members.
Much more about artist demonstrations and the Friday evening reception (which will be open to the public, completely free of charge) coming soon.
A few reminders for Guild members –
- Images for the online previews for the 2026 Autumn Exhibit and Fauna 2026 will be accepted until November 12. Details can be found here.
- The 2026 holiday party for Guild members, Jingle and Mingle, will be held on Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 8:30 pm. The planners are already busy with arrangements for an evening promising “much merriment!” An invitation will be emailed soon to all members.
- The Guild’s popular holiday card exchange will continue this year, and instructions for participating will be coming soon. Blank cards and envelopes will be available at the holiday party for those who prefer to use them. A sample of last year’s contributions can be enjoyed here.
Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2026 Autumn Exhibit Artwork Sample
The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to present a sample of artwork to be included in the 2026 Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum from November 13 to 16.
More artwork images, included many from the accompanying display, Fauna, will be added soon. Exhibiting artists can still contribute images of their artwork for the website display by following image submission instructions here.
Much more about the Friday evening reception, artist demonstrations, and fundraising items coming soon.
Looking Forward to the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit and ‘Fauna’ Display at The Morton Arboretum
Nature Artists’ Guild members are busily adding final touches to their artwork as they look forward to participating in the upcoming 2026 Nature Art Exhibit and “Fauna,” an accompanying display of small works, at The Morton Arboretum from November 13 through 15.
Visitors can look forward to a reception with light refreshments, multiple daily artist demonstrations, themed gift baskets to be raffled, hand-painted ornaments for sale, and the enjoyment of viewing over 200 works of nature art by more than 60 Guild members.
The event is open to all Arboretum visitors, and no extra fee or registration is required. The reception will be held on Friday evening from 5 to 8 and is open to all at no charge.
A sample of artwork images will be coming soon! (Participating artists can email images of up to two pieces of their exhibit artwork and up to three pieces of Fauna artwork to Denise Fisk for inclusion in upcoming website displays.)
Featured Artist of the 2026 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, Terrie McComb
The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is pleased to announce the Featured Artist for its 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit, Terrie McComb.
The 2026 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit will showcase numerous works by Terrie, in addition to nearly 200 pieces by approximately 60 other Guild members, at the Cudahy Room of The Morton Arboretum from Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15, 2026. A reception, open to all, is also being planned for Friday evening from 5 until 8.
Nature can often be amazingly resilient, but heartbreakingly fragile. To me, there is amazing truth in both. Telling the stories and revealing the secrets of these incredible creations can build a community to cherish and preserve them. – Terrie McComb
Much more about the reception, fundraising items, demonstrators, and samples of exhibit artwork coming soon!
Important reminder for Guild members – the final day to register for the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit or the 2026 display of 8 x 8 artwork, Fauna, is this Saturday, October 17.
Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum November 13 through 15, 2026
The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to present their annual Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum on November 13 through 15, 2026.
This year’s exhibit will showcase numerous works by Featured Artist Terry McComb, along with over 200 pieces by nearly 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. The exhibit will open on Friday, November 13, at 10 am, and a reception, open to all, free of charge, will be held that evening from 5 until 8. This much-anticipated annual autumn event is expected to attract nearly 1500 Arboretum visitors through the weekend and will continue until Sunday at 4 pm.
Interested members of the Nature Artists’ Guild must register by October 17 to participate in this exhibit or the accompanying display of 8 x 8 artwork, Fauna.
Much more about the exhibit, reception, fundraising, demonstrators, and Featured Artist Terrie McComb coming soon, along with samples of exhibit artwork. Free copies of the exhibit poster and postcard for sharing with friends, family, and local businesses and organizations are available to pick up at the office of the Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum.
Invitation to an Evening with Artist George Shipperley at The Morton Arboretum
Everyone is invited to spend an evening with renowned artist George Shipperley at The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 7 until 9. This program, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, will be open to the public, free of charge.
George masterfully uses oil pastels to create his award-winning expressive landscapes, and attendees at Thursday’s program will be able to watch him work, learn about his inspirations, materials, and methods, ask questions, and enjoy a close look at some of his paintings.
To be an artist means to have an insatiable appetite to create and explore. I am inspired by the poetry of nature, especially trees and how they relate to one another. – George Shipperley
All are invited to this presentation, and there will be no charge for admission to The Morton Arboretum, the program, or parking. Free light refreshments and plenty of seating will be available, and no registration is required. Visitors can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to parking for the Cudahy Room.
This Wednesday, October 7 – Autumn (and the Nature Artists’ Guild) Arriving at Cantigny
“The former estate of the late Colonel Robert R. McCormick (founder and editor of the Chicago Tribune), Cantigny has nearly 40 acres of cultivated specialty or thematic garden spaces spread across 180 acres.”
The display gardens of Cantigny are beautiful all year, but autumn brings its own spectacular show. Cantigny makes the most of it with its seasonal displays, mature trees, water features and pond, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and wildlife.
Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum and their guests are invited to attend a paint-out at these gardens on the morning of Wednesday, October 7, 2026, beginning at 9:30. Coordinator Celia Rodee will greet members and offer coffee and pastries for a delicious start, and members can then roam the grounds to find a picturesque spot to paint, draw, or photograph.
Admission to Cantigny is always free, and parking will also be free on the date of the paint-out. Registration is recommended to be added to an email list for details and updates.
A few reminders for members-
- All current members of the Guild were recently emailed prospectuses for the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum and the 2026 Special Exhibit, Fauna. Any members who did not receive a prospectus should contact Alice Wych or Lisa Kanellos.
- Membership renewals and new memberships for 2027 will be accepted beginning on October 1. Guild memberships are for the calendar year, so joining or renewing before the end of this year will ensure that members enjoy all the benefits of membership for 2027.
- A planning meeting for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2026 Holiday Party has been scheduled for October 6th at 11:30 am at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. Guild members who would like to volunteer to help at the fun December 3 event are invited to attend. No registration is required.
- Posters and postcards for the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit will be available at the office of the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum to pick up and share with friends, family, and local businesses and organizations.
George Shipperley at The Morton Arboretum on October 1, 2026
The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to welcome award-winning artist George Shipperley to The Morton Arboretum on the evening of Thursday, October 1, 2026, for a program featuring his stunning work in oil pastels.
Recognized by The Artist Magazine, The Pastel Journal, and widely collected, George Shipperley is “an impressionist artist with an emphasis on originality, creativity and color . . . in pastel, acrylic, and oil stick mediums.”
To be an artist means to have an insatiable appetite to create and explore. I am inspired by the poetry of nature, especially trees and how they relate to one another. – George Shipperley
This program will be held in the Cudahy Room (adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library) in the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, October 1, from 7 until 9 pm.
All are welcome to attend this free program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, and there is no charge for admission, parking, or entry to The Morton Arboretum for this event. Registration is not required, and visitors can let the attendant at the gate know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to parking for the Cudahy Room.
As always, delicious light refreshments, a door prize, and plenty of seating will be provided!
