Author: Denise

Nature Artists’ Guild Honorary Member Mary Ingels

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Our friend and former guild president Mary Ingels has been made an Honorary Member of the Nature Artists’ Guild in tribute to her many outstanding contributions over the last twelve years.

Wisteria (carbon dust), Mary Ingels

Before moving across the country to embark on her new adventures in the Seattle area earlier this year, Mary served as president of the guild for almost three years and vice- president for one.

A graphic artist as well as fine artist, Mary originated and continues to be instrumental in coordinating and designing our annual Nature Artists’ Guild desk calendar project, one of the guild’s most popular and successful fund-raising endeavors . In just the last few years, Mary took on the challenges of reviewing and updating exhibition requirements, designing and developing (with Sylvia Root Tester) a 20th Anniversary  Nature Artists’ Guild publication, and designing, developing and acting as the main contributor to this blog (to which she continues to contribute, all the way from Washington)!  

Mary joins a short but distinguished list of Honorary Members –  Nature Artists’ Guild founder Nancy Hart (Stieber), Evelyn Grala,  and Bob Sunyog. 

Congratulations Mary, and we look forward to your continued friendship and inspiration– even across the miles!

Holiday Party and Elections, December 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm

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Sure, everyone is busy at this time of the year, but the Nature Artists’ Guild annual Holiday Party and Elections evening is worth adding to your calendar. After a few votes and some inspiring words by incoming or outgoing NAG officers, the party begins!  Bring a dish to pass (there always seems to be an emphasis on desserts, which is certainly not a bad thing), and enjoy the chance to just chat with your fellow artists, catch up with old friends, or help new members feel welcome.  You may win something in the raffle (if you would like to contribute a book, print or other item to the raffle, it would definitely be appreciated), or you can just cheer on your fellow members (somehow, there are always a lucky few who go home with a PILE of prizes).   Guests are welcome to join us for this relaxing and fun way to kick-off the holiday season!  The party will take place in the Founders’ Room at Thornhill, beginning at 7 pm.

Congratulations on a Successful Holiday Exhibit!

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Congratulations to all of the Nature Artists’ Guild members who planned, worked at, demonstrated in, contributed to and participated in the 2010 Holiday Exhibit!  The show was a resounding success, with excellent attendance (in spite of the weather and the Bears game on Sunday!)  Over two hundred visitors attended Friday evening’s Artists’ Reception and the show brought in about seven hundred visitors over the course of the weekend, including the press (click here for story)!

 The record number of show participants really contributed to creating an outstanding show, and numerous compliments were received from visitors on the beautiful artwork and the quality of the show presentation.  Our Artisan Shop had a great selection of quality hand-made merchandise, and sales were brisk!

 Special thanks are extended to the exhibit Co-Chairs, Laverne Bohlin and Sharon Malec, our featured artist Susan Vogel, demonstrators Maggie Mardis, Bob Sunyog, Mary Ann Jimenez, Charlotte Doyle Leavitt and Linn Eldred, Publications Chair Evelyn Grala, Artisan Shop Chair Nancy Thyfault, and Evalyn Holy for presenting us with all the delicious food on Friday evening.  

 From Friday evening’s Artists’ Reception  –

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Dues are Due!

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It’s time again to pay our dues.  We hope you’ll agree though, that all the exhibits, the paint-outs, the exceptional programs, the Quarterly, the workshops, the door prizes, the TREATS, the fun, the camaraderie, the shared knowledge, the advice, the help, the encouragement and most importantly, the opportunity to meet so many wonderful fellow artists, make them seem like a bargain!

Please mail your check payable to the Nature Artists’ Guild, to Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, c/o Suzanne Wegener, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL  60532.

If you are considering becoming a new member, now is a great time to do it!  We think you’ll find that the Nature Artists’ Guild is a friendly, supportive, non-competitive group that offers many opportunities to its members.  Please download and mail in the membership form you can find by clicking here or on the tab above.

Downers Grove Library Exhibit

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Things will have quieted down from the holidays, and it may be tempting to stay inside a while by the fire in your robe and slippers.  You probably already have artwork framed and ready from the NAG holiday show, though, so consider making it one of your New Year’s Resolutions to show your work more often and then get your boots on and head over to the Downers Grove Library! 

The Downers Grove Library has an exceptional gallery space that nicely highlights your artwork, and the Nature Artists’ Guild is known for their beautiful annual exhibit there!  It really is worth the effort to participate. 

Artwork drop-off is on Saturday, January 8 from 10- to 11 am, and the pick-up is Saturday, February 5 from 10 to 11 am.  Our Special Events Coordinator, Paula, has e-mailed or mailed your prospectus (which must be returned to her postmarked by December 17, 2010) and also reminds us that renewal dues must be paid by December 31, 2010 to be eligible for the exhibit.  Please contact Paula for any questions.

Invite your Friends and Family!

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Please take a moment to invite your friends and family to the 2010 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, November 12th through 14th.  All the artists, as well as the coordinators of the show, have worked hard to ensure that this exhibition continues to meet the high standards everyone has come to expect from our group.  We always have excellent attendance, but with the record number of artists exhibiting this time, we’d also love to have a record turnout!

The below link, which you can copy and paste onto an e-mail, leads directly to the article about the show or you can click on one of the “Share” buttons at the end of that article and follow the instructions that appear.

https://natureartistsguild.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/2010-annual-holiday-exhibition/

Exciting New Gallery Opportunity for Members

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Our Outside Exhibition Chair, Paulette McDermott announces the following exciting news!

The Nature Artists Guild of the Morton Arboretum gallery at the Canterbury Shoppe

We have been given a wonderful opportunity for our members to exhibit and sell their work at the Canterbury Shoppe in Naperville.  The exhibits are rotated on a seasonal basis.  The first exhibit, Autumn, is up right now through November.  The Winter exhibit, which is open to all of our members, will open December 1st.  We will also have a “Meet the Artist” reception for each rotation.

Remember to get your prospectus for the Winter Exhibit to Paulette McDermott postmarked by November 19, 2010.

If you are looking for an interesting way to spend a beautiful Autumn Sunday, please join us for an afternoon tea and bring your friends and family

        “Meet the Artist” Tea to celebrate the Autumn Exhibit

        Canterbury Shoppe
        43 E. Jefferson
        Naperville, IL

        Sunday, November 7
        2 pm – 5 pm

Note:  Members should have received their prospectus and exhibition details by mail or e-mail on October 16, and revisions on October 28.  If you cannot locate your copy or have any questions, please contact Paulette.

Just enough rain to make the colors sing

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The rain kept the usual Autumn Arboretum crowds away, but a handful of dedicated artists braved the weather Saturday morning and for their effort were warmly welcomed by Librarian Michael Stieber and the gorgeous views outside the library windows.

 The library is so fascinating, both in design and content, that it was tempting to just spend the morning browsing the collections (see link to the lower right to access the Sterling Morton Library blog).   However, each and every window framed a wonderful scene just calling out to be captured, and the gentle rain was just enough to saturate the colors and make them “sing”. 

 After some Whole Foods muffins for energy, the artists got busy, and the results were some beautiful works in watercolor, pastel and colored pencil.

(If you were there, we’d love to add your artwork to this post!)

Morton Fall Color Paint-Out, Saturday, October 23 at 9 am

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When you think of Autumn, you think of colorful leaves, and when you think of colorful leaves, what better place to find them than at The Morton Arboretum?    What a great opportunity for gaining inspiration and material for your autumn landscapes or just for being outdoors on what we assume will be a gorgeous autumn day!  Try a new medium or even loosen up a little – it’s all about the color at this time of the year! 

We will be meeting at the Thornhill parking lot at 9 am on Saturday, October 23,  and can choose our painting and sketching locations away from (or if you’re feeling bold, right in the midst of) the crowds.  We are extending an invitation to other art leagues and guests to join us at this paint-out (although non-Arboretum members will still have to pay the gate fee), so bring a friend, and it may also be a good opportunity to meet some new people and see what kinds of creative things they’re up to!

No need to RSVP – there’s room for everyone.  Paint-out date is rain or shine.  (If it’s raining, we’ll meet in the library). Bring your own thermos of coffee or tea, and we’ll supply the muffins.