The year’s first paint-out (or paint-in) for the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be held at Chicago’s world-renowned Field Museum next Saturday, January 18.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, along with members of Artists at the field (a group that meets there regularly), will begin the morning at the Hall of Birds, where “more than 1,000 winged specimens await,” before dispersing to discover and sketch some of the Museum’s wonders of the natural world.

Interested participants will meet to share their discoveries and artwork in the early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to stop by other exhibits or to visit SUE, the world’s most famous T. rex. Artists who are not members of either group are also welcome!

January 18 also happens to be the final day for one of the Museum’s special exhibitions, Audubon’s Birds of America. The exhibit, included with basic Museum admission, invites visitors to “behold Audubon’s vivid, life-size bird illustrations” and “soar through the 12-year process of creating these masterpieces of printmaking.”

Artists (including non-members) can register here to receive an email with all the details, including times, places, and transportation (including possible carpooling groups) and parking tips. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and parking costs and admission to the museum.