Month: June 2023

Chronicling the Growth of the Grand Garden

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Grand Garden photo credit mortonarb.org

The Gerald T. Donnelly Grand Garden at The Morton Arboretum was completed last year in celebration of the Arboretum’s 100th anniversary.

Already, the garden is evolving from a space containing mostly physical structures, including pergolas, benches, waterfalls, and a fountain, to a peaceful and lush area with a variety of lovely trees, flowers, and shrubs.

The Grand Garden will continue to develop each year, and the Nature Artists’ Guild has an opportunity to visit on July 12, 2023 from 9:30 until noon (rain date, if necessary, July 13) to capture in photos, pencil, ink, paint, or pastels, some of this year’s beauty.

Members of the Guild who would like to spend a morning with fellow members at this paint-out at the Grand Garden can register by clicking here and receive further details and updates from coordinator Celia Rodee.

Celebrating Summer with the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Tomato, copyright Lisa Kanellos

The Nature Artists’ Guild begins the season with gatherings and events to celebrate the special sights, sounds, and scents (as well as textures and tastes) of summer.

  • The exhibit at the McCord Gallery continues through July 7, 2023. More than 30 unique works of nature art created by Guild members adorn the walls of this historic gallery.
  • A paint-out at the recently opened Grand Garden of The Morton Arboretum has been planned for the morning of Wednesday, July 12, 2023 (rain date July 13). Interested members can register here and be added to the attendee list to receive email details and updates.
  • The August 3, 2023 program (open to all) sponsored by the Guild will feature multi-talented artist John Fleck from 7 until 9 pm. John will be sharing his methods and materials for creating landscapes in charcoal. More details to come soon.
  • Weekly Art and Coffee gatherings continue every Wednesday morning (except on days of paint-outs) at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum from 9 to 11:30. Members and guests are welcome to stop by and chat, sketch, or simply enjoy the quiet morning in a lovely atmosphere.

Summer Nature Art Classes at The Morton Arboretum

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Peace on the Prairie, copyright Margaret Navolio. Exhibited at last autumn’s Schulenberg Prairie 60th Anniversary Exhibit.

The Morton Arboretum is offering a number of nature art classes to members of the Nature Artists’ Guild (and all interested artists) this summer.

Some highlights –

Art in Plein Air: The Prairie Large and Small with John Fleck will take place on six mornings in July and August at the Arboretum’s historic Schulenberg Prairie, a “sea of color in the summer months, with native grasses and flowers in full bloom.”

For botanical artists (or artists at any skill level) who would like to try a very different approach, the Art Workshop: Andy Warhol’s Flowers on the evening of July 26 could be a fun adventure. Rachel Davis will lead artists in using “a hot summer palette of pinks, yellows, and lime greens to create a Warhol-inspired graphical painting of flowers.”

Many Nature Artists’ Guild members will remember last summer’s wonderful workshop and program on painting landscapes in pastel with Laverne Bohlin. Laverne will be returning this August 4 and 5 to teach a Visiting Artist Workshop: Painting Expressive Flowers in Pastel.

To learn more or register for one of the above classes or workshops, open to all, please click on the highlighted link. Click here to see the full list of summer and early autumn classes at The Morton Arboretum.

Garden Paint-Out This Thursday, June 15, 2023

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Photo credits Anne and Charles Bouchard

Promises of a lovely morning in the garden –

There is still time for Nature Artists’ Guild members to arrange to attend this Thursday morning’s paint-out at the beautiful private garden of Anne and Charles Bouchard in Glen Ellyn, IL from 9:30 am to noon. Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee will be bringing coffee and Rosemary Currant and Maple Pecan scones for all attendees, and the weather forecast looks promising!

The Bouchard’s landscape was originally designed by Tony Tyznik (landscape architect of The Morton Arboretum for forty years) in his signature style, and has been updated and enhanced over the years.

Members can sign up here to be included on Celia’s email list for directions, further details, and updates for what promises to be a lovely morning in the garden.

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at McCord Gallery Opens June 10, 2023

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Postcard artwork by Alice Wych. Postcard design by McCord Gallery & Cultural Center. Right click to download a copy for sharing.

All are invited to a reception on Sunday, June 11 between 1 and 3 pm for light refreshments and an opportunity to meet and support participating artists while enjoying the exhibit at this lovely historic gallery.

The exhibit will continue through July 7, 2023 and is open to the public during regular gallery hours at the McCord Gallery & Cultural Center.

Postcard design by McCord Gallery & Cultural Center. Right click to download a copy for sharing.