February 2026 – Nature Artists' Guild

Master Pastelist Nancie King Mertz at The Morton Arboretum on March 5, 2026

Published on February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Plein-air pastel painting, copyright Nancie King Mertz

The Nature Artists’ Guild is thrilled to sponsor a program and demonstration by 2025 Pastel Society of America Hall of Fame Honoree Nancie King Mertz on the evening of Thursday, March 5, 2026, at The Morton Arboretum.

Lifetime pastel and oil painter Nancie King Mertz has been awarded the highest honors by the International Association of Pastel Societies and the Pastel Society of America and was twice named “Chicago Artist of the Year” by the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. Nancie is also a long-term member of the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, the Degas Pastel Society, Plein Air Painters Chicago, and the Chicago Pastel Painters.

All are invited to attend a presentation and demonstration by Nancie on March 5, from 7 until 9 pm, at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. The program will be open to the public, free of charge, and there will be no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for this event. Plenty of seating and delicious light refreshments will be available. No registration is required, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to Thornhill.

An Artists’ Expedition to Jurica-Suchy on March 12, 2026

Published on February 19, 2026March 12, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

On the morning of Thursday, March 12, 2026, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will journey into the wilds of the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University to sketch and paint some of the thousands of specimens on view from around the world.

Beginning at 9:30 am, artists will arrive at Jurica-Suchy to begin scouting the museum for sources of inspiration. Coffee and delicious treats supplied by coordinator Celia Rodee will sustain the artists as they search the aisles for a subject or scene to explore in paint, pencil, or pixels.

The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, located on the second floor of the Michael and Kay Birck Hall of Science at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, is home to a vast variety of specimens, many native to the area, and many from the far reaches of the world. The paint-in is a wonderful opportunity to see and sketch these species closely (and safely!) and gather reference material for future projects.

Although members and guests are welcome to just drop in any time between 9:30 and about noon, registration is recommended to receive emailed updates and details.

Nature (and the Guild) are Preparing for Spring!

Published on February 11, 2026February 24, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Harbingers of Spring – Daffodils, copyright Cheryl Holz. Cheryl will be the Featured Artist of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2026 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

Even though there are weeks to go before spring, nature and the Nature Artists’ Guild are eagerly preparing for the longer and warmer days ahead.

According to the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center, February in Chicagoland means that –

Red-winged blackbirds, grackles, killdeer, and great blue herons return
Chipmunks reappear at feeders
Bald eagles begin nesting behavior
Yellow-bellied sapsuckers work the maples as the sap begins to run
Hibernating butterflies emerge on warm days
Sandhill cranes can be seen migrating north
It is breeding season for racoons, woodchucks, rabbits, skunks, opossums, and beavers!

For the Nature Artists’ Guild, February also means that –

Members will receive (by email this week) their prospectus and registration instructions for the 2026 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum. The exhibit will be held April 17, 18, and 19, 2026, and the final date for registering (either online or by mail) will be March 21. Much more about the exhibit and Featured Artist Cheryl Holz coming soon.

In just a few weeks, the March program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild will be held at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. This event on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 7 until 9 will be free and open to all and will feature award-winning pastel artist Nancie King Mertz as the presenter. Much more about the program to come soon.

Guild members will be visiting the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum for a “paint-in” on Thursday, March 12, from 9:30 until noon. (Drop-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended in order to receive email updates and details.) More coming soon.

Guild members can begin thinking about their contributions to the Guild’s annual special exhibit showcasing 8 x 8-inch pieces. This year’s display, “Fauna,” will be inspired by the native mammals, fish, insects, birds, amphibians, and spiders that can be found at The Morton Arboretum. (Detailed instructions for members will be shared later in the year, and “Fauna” will be exhibited in November alongside the Guild’s annual autumn exhibit at the Arboretum.)

Many members are excited to participate each year in a popular local event for nature artists, the Danada Nature Art and Photo Show (not affiliated with the Nature Artists’ Guild.) This year’s exhibit will be held on March 14th and 15th, and the final day to apply will be March 1. Details and the registration form can be found on the Friends of Danada website.

“Intersection of Nature, Science, and Art” with Kristin Field Tomorrow at 7

Published on February 4, 2026February 5, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

In tomorrow evening’s presentation, textile artist Kristin Field will discuss “her natural dyeing practice, her experience growing dye plants in Chicago over the last 7 years, her soil chromatography work, and past and current textile projects inspired by the intersection of nature, science, and art. – fieldandgardner.com

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild were recently emailed a link and instructions for attending the online program, which begins at 7 pm.