2026 Important Dates for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Important – Cancellations or changes may occur due to weather or other factors and events may be added. Please check the website home page and your email for event details and updates. 

Check back often for updates – much more to come!

(Click here to see last year’s list)

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  • January 2026

    • Jan 02 – Final day to drop off artwork for Wheaton Public Library special exhibit
    • Jan 05 – Special exhibit at Wheaton Public Library opens and continues through Jan 30
    • Jan 06 – Special exhibit at Downers Grove Library opens and continues through February 03
    • Jan 07 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jan 14 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Jan 18 – Reception for special exhibit at Downers Grove Public Library, 2 – 4 pm
    • Jan 21 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jan 28 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jan 30 – Final day of special exhibit at Wheaton Public Library
    • Jan 31 – Artwork pickup at Wheaton Public Library

  • February 2026

    • Feb 01 – Member artwork and articles for Spring Quarterly due. 
    • TBD- Prospectus and link for online registration for 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum emailed to members
    • Feb 03 – Final day of special exhibit at Downers Grove Library
    • Feb 04 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Feb 05 – Board meeting online, 6 – 7 pm
    • Feb 05 – Online presentation, 7 – 9 pm. Links for presentation to be emailed to members and guests the previous week
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Feb 07 – Artwork pick-up at Downers Grove Library
    • Feb 11 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Feb 18 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Feb 25 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • March 2026

    • Mar 04 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Mar 06 – Board Meeting, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, 6 – 7 pm
    • Mar 06 – Program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, 7 – 9 pm. Open to the public at no charge. No registration required.
    • Mar 06 – Posters and postcards for the 2026 Spring Art Exhibit available and donations for exhibit gift baskets accepted before and after the program at Thornhill.
    • TBD – Final day to receive a prospectus for the 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum by joining or renewing membership
    • TBD – Registrations due (online or postmarked by) for 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum
    • Mar 11 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Mar 18 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Mar 25 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • April 2026

    • Apr 01 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Apr 01- Referee (artwork drop-off) for 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum (prior registration required) 6 – 7:30 pm
    • Apr 03 – Artists’ Reception open house for 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 4:30 – 7 pm. Exhibit opens at 10 am.
    • Apr 04 – 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
    • Apr 05 – 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
    • Apr 05 – Artwork pick-up from the 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 4:15 – 4:45 pm
    • Apr 08 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Instructions for 8 x 8 project, “Fauna,” for November 2026 special exhibit provided
    • Apr 15 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Apr 22 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Apr 29 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • May 2026

    • May 01 – Member artwork and articles for Summer Quarterly due
    • May 06 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum.
    • TBD – Paint out
    • May 13 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum.
    • May 20 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • May 27 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Prospectus and online registration form link for summer special exhibit emailed to members

  • June 2026

    • Jun 01 – Half-Year Memberships for first time members available (for July 1 through December 31, 2026)
    • Jun 03 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jun 04 – Board meeting, 6 – 7 pm, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jun 04 – Program, Demonstrations by three Guild members 7 – 9 pm, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Open to the public at no charge. No registration required.
    • Jun 10 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Jun 17 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD- Final day to register for summer special exhibit
    • Jun 24 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • July 2026

    • Jul 01 – Half-Year Memberships for first time members begin
    • Jul 01 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Special exhibit opens
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Jul 08 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jul 15 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jul 22 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Jul 29 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • August 2026

    • Aug 01 – Member artwork and articles for Autumn Quarterly due
    • Aug 05 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Aug 06 – Board meeting, 6 – 7 pm, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Aug 06 – Program, 7 – 9 pm at Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Open to the public at no charge. No registration required.
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Aug 12 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Aug 15 – Information table during The Morton Arboretum’s Wine and Art Walk (information about volunteering here)
    • Aug 16 – Information table during The Morton Arboretum’s Wine and Art Walk
    • Aug 19 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Aug 26 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • September 2026

    • Sep 02 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Sep 03 – Board meeting, online, 6 – 7 pm
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Sep 09 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Prospectus and link for registration for 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum emailed to members
    • TBD – Prospectus and link for registration for special exhibit “Fauna”  available to members
    • Sep 16 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Fundraising workshop, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Registration required. Space is limited.
    • Sep 23 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • October 2026

    • Oct 01 – Renewals and New Memberships for 2026 begin
    • Oct 01 – Board Meeting, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, 6 – 7 pm
    • Oct 01 – Program, 7 – 9 pm, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Open to the public at no charge. No registration required.
    • Oct 07 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Registrations due (online or postmarked by) for 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Registrations due (online or postmarked by) for 2026 8 x 8″ Special Exhibit “Fauna” at The Morton Arboretum
    • Oct 14 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Paint-out
    • Oct 21 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Oct 28 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • November 2026

    • Nov 01 – Member artwork and articles for Winter Quarterly due
    • Nov 04 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Nov 04 – Referee (artwork drop-off) for 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 6 – 7:30 pm (prior registration required)
    • Nov 04 – Drop off for 8 x 8 artwork for “Fauna” display at The Morton Arboretum 6 – 7:30 pm (prior registration required)
    • Nov 04 – Registration begins and blank cards for the Holiday Card Exchange available at the exhibit drop-off event at The Morton Arboretum
    • Nov 06 – Artists’ Reception open house for 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 4:30 – 7 pm. (Exhibit opens at 10 am.)
    • Nov 07 – 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
    • Nov 08 – 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
    • Nov 08 – Pick up artwork from the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit and the 8 x 8 “Fauna” display at The Morton Arboretum, 4:15 – 4:45 pm
    • Nov 11 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Prospectus emailed to members for January 2027 exhibit at Downers Grove Library
    • Nov 18 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Nov 24 – Invitation for Holiday Party emailed to members
    • Nov 25 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

  • December 2026

    • Dec 02 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Registrations due for January 2027 exhibit at Downers Grove Library
    • Dec 03 – Holiday Party, Thornhill Education Center, The Morton Arboretum, 6 pm.
    • Dec 04 – Last date to register for Holiday Card Exchange. Blank cards available at Holiday Party.
    • Dec 07 – Names emailed to those registered for Holiday Card Exchange
    • Dec 09 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Dec 14 – Last date to mail cards for Holiday Card Exchange
    • Dec 16 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • TBD – Artwork drop-off for January 2027 exhibit at Downers Grove Library
    • Dec 23 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
    • Dec 30 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum

Check back soon for much more!