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)

• 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 Public Library opens and continues through February 03
  • Jan 07 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Jan 08 – Board meeting online, 6 – 7 pm
  • Jan 14 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Jan 17 – Paint-out at the Field Museum, 9:30 am – 1 pm. Details emailed to Guild members. Registration required.
  • Jan 18 – Reception for special exhibit at Downers Grove Public Library, 2 – 4 pm. Open to all, no registration required.
  • Jan 21 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum.
  • Jan 21 – Wheaton Public Library exhibit gathering, 11:30 am, and optional lunch at Bien Trucha (Wheaton), 12:30 pm, RSVP recommended.
  • 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 for special exhibit at Wheaton Public Library, 11 am – 2 pm
• 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 Public Library
  • Feb 04 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Feb 05 – Paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann, 7:30 – 10 am. Details to come soon. Registration required. Space is limited.
  • Feb 05 – Board meeting online, 6 – 7 pm
  • Feb 05 – Online presentation, textile artist Kristin Field, 7 – 9 pm. Links for presentation to be emailed to members and guests the previous week
  • Feb 07 – Artwork pick-up for special exhibit at Downers Grove Public 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 05 – Board Meeting, Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, 6 – 7 pm
  • Mar 05 – Program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, 7 – 9 pm. Open to the public at no charge. No registration required.
  • Mar 05 – Posters and postcards for the 2026 Spring Art Exhibit available and donations for exhibit gift baskets accepted before and after the program at Thornhill.
  • Mar 11 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Mar 13- Paint-out at Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, 9:30 am. Details and registration form to come soon. Registration recommended.
  • Mar 18 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Mar 21 – Final day to receive a prospectus for the 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum by joining or renewing membership
  • Mar 21- Registrations due (online or postmarked by) for 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at 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 08 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Apr 15 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Apr 15- Referee (artwork drop-off) for 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum (prior registration required) 6 – 7:30 pm
  • Apr 17 – Artists’ Reception open house for 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 4:30 – 7 pm. Exhibit opens at 10 am.
  • Apr 18 – 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
  • Apr 19 – 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
  • Apr 19 – Artwork pick-up from the 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 4:15 – 4:45 pm
  • TBD – Instructions for 8 x 8 project, “Fauna,” for November 2026 special exhibit provided
  • TBD – Paint-out at Daffodil Glade, The Morton Arboretum. Details and registration form to come soon. Registration recommended.
  • 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.
  • May 07 – Board meeting online, 6 – 7 pm
  • 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
• 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
  • TBD – Prospectus and online registration link for special exhibit at Bloomingdale Park District Museum to be emailed to Guild members
  • Jun 17 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • 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 – Paint-out
  • Jul 08 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • TBD – Final day to register online or by mail for the Bloomingdale Park District Museum special exhibit opening August 08
  • 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
  • TBD – Artwork drop off for the Bloomingdale Park District Museum special exhibit opening August 08
  • 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 08 – Bloomingdale Park District Museum special exhibit opens and continues until September 12. Guild members to be emailed prospectus in July.
  • 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
  • Aug 16 – Information table during The Morton Arboretum’s Wine and Art Walk
  • Aug 16 – Reception for Bloomingdale Park District Museum special exhibit, 4 – 6 pm.
  • 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
  • Sep 12 – Bloomingdale Park District Museum special exhibit closes
  • TBD – Artwork pick up for the Bloomingdale Park District Museum special exhibit
  • 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 2027 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 01 – Posters and postcards for the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit available and donations for exhibit gift baskets accepted before and after the program at Thornhill.
  • Oct 07 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • TBD – Paint-out
  • Oct 14 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Oct 17 – Registrations due (online or postmarked by) for 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum
  • Oct 17 – Registrations due (online or postmarked by) for 2026 8 x 8″ Special Exhibit “Fauna” at The Morton Arboretum
  • 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 11 – Coffee and Art 9 – 11 am, Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum
  • Nov 11 – Referee (artwork drop-off) for 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 6 – 7:30 pm (prior registration required)
  • Nov 11 – Drop off for 8 x 8 artwork for “Fauna” display at The Morton Arboretum 6 – 7:30 pm (prior registration required)
  • Nov 11 – Registration begins and blank cards for the Holiday Card Exchange available at the exhibit drop-off event at The Morton Arboretum
  • Nov 13 – Artists’ Reception open house for 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 4:30 – 7 pm. (Exhibit opens at 10 am.)
  • Nov 14– 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
  • Nov 15 – 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum 10 – 4 pm
  • Nov 15– 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 18 – 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
  • TBD – 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 – Card recipient 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!