39 Years of Nature Art
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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-
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!
The museum will be open to the public for the final days of Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World, on Wednesday, September 9, from 3 to 7, Thursday, September 10, from 12 to 4, and Saturday, September 12, from 12 to 4.
Celebrated artist Cynthia Hellyer Heinz will be demonstrating her color pencil techniques on Saturday at the museum, and everyone attending Bloomingdale Septemberfest is welcome to stop by! (Parking may not be available at the museum during this event on Saturday.)
Reminder: Participating artists must pick up their artwork at the museum on Sunday, September 13, between 12 and 2.
Update: All spots for this workshop have been filled. Participants can contact Cheryl Holz with questions or cancellations.
Lindsay specializes in painting delightful creatures, large and small, but workshop participants will be welcome to depict their own inspirations from nature. Birds, insects, tiny landscapes, flowers, leaves, and much more can be painted onto the provided small slices of wood. The completed ornaments will be sold as a fundraiser for the Guild at the Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum this November. (Last year’s contributions sold out!)
Fun, food, friends, and it’s all free! The workshop will be held at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 to 1. Registration is required and only open to members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Space is limited, but a few spots are still available.
