Category: Events

From the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum

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  • Long-eared Owl, copyright Nancy Wu
  • Lake Marmo Reflections, copyright Laverne Bohlin
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema Triphyllum), copyright Kumie Kim
  • Dunes Walk, copyright Cindy Kerchmar
  • Copper Beech, copyright Arlene Widrevitz
  • Along the Water, copyright Marlene Vitek
  • Magnolia Buds, copyright Lisa Kanellos
  • Sanctuary, copyright Margaret Navolio
  • Prairie, copyright Marlene Vitek
  • Tree and Oak Leaves, copyright Marlene Vitek
  • Camofrog, copyright Linda Hilderbrant
  • Cloud 1, copyright Haruo Kurokawa
  • Bucket of Zinnias, copyright Margaret Navolio
  • Young Barred Owl, copyright Cindy Kerchmar
  • Windy day on the Big Hill, copyright Beth Berry
  • Staying Warm, copyright Beth Berry
  • Turban Squash (Cucurbita Maxima)-, copyright Kumie Kim
  • Stillness in the Morning, copyright Beth Berry
  • Open Water, copyright Gary Chipman
  • Tomato, copyright Lisa Kanellos
  • Ephemeral, copyright Yvonne Buckley
  • Rest Stop, copyright Bernadette Hanacek
  • Springbrook Summer Solstic Sunrise – Walking the Prairie, copyright Cheryl Holz
  • Cabbage White, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Twin Oaks at Twilight, copyright Gary Chipman
  • Artichoke, copyright Brooke Wiseman
  • Autumnal Rhapsody, copyright Ann Lamoureux
  • Cloud 2, copyright Haruo Kurokawa
  • Night Owl…Owl you need is Love!, copyright Jacky Surma
  • Rectilinear Forest Fern, copyright Cheryl Holz
  • Imposing Irises, copyright Alice Wych
  • The Curious Pileated Woodpecker, copyright Karen Remkus
  • Alpine Glacier Melt, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
  • McDowell Woods, copyright Yvonne Buckley
  • Autumn Leaves in Icy Puddle, copyright Margie Navolio
  • HollyHocks, copyright Linn Eldred
  • Honey Crisp, copyright Dorothy Duffala
  • Grape Honeysuckle (Lonicera Reticulata), copyright Kumie Kim
  • Great Blue Heron, copyright Mary Voegeli
  • Warren Woods, copyright Cindy Kerchmar
  • Pink Magnolia, copyright Jill Adzia
  • Sign of Spring, copyright Alice Wych
  • Winter Grasses, copyright Laverne Bohlin
  • Springbrook Summer Solstice -What lies Beneath, copyright Cheryl Holz
  • Mushrooms & Monarch Butterfly, copyright Linn Eldred
  • Barred Over Boreal, copyright Carol Cooley

Please enjoy this sample from the approximately 200 pieces of wonderful artwork celebrating nature recently exhibited by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild in the 2022 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

The images are also available for viewing on the 2022 Autumn Art Exhibit page of this website, along with instructions for contacting the artists.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the many volunteers, artists, employees of The Morton Arboretum, and visitors for their contributions in making the exhibit a success.

Images from the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Schulenberg Prairie will be coming soon.

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit This Weekend at The Morton Arboretum

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Poster artwork by Alice Wych. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.

The 2022 Autumn Art Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild at The Morton Arboretum will showcase more than 150 pieces by approximately 50 members, including numerous works by Featured Artist Alice Wych.

Nature Artists’ Guild members’ small works celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Schulenberg Prairie will be also be displayed at the adjacent Sterling Morton Library during exhibit hours.

In addition to viewing the exhibit artwork, visitors will be able to purchase original artwork on slate, buy tickets for raffle items, and interact with artists who will be demonstrating their techniques.

The exhibit is free of charge for The Morton Arboretum’s visitors on Saturday and Sunday (entry pass to the Arboretum required.) Those attending the Friday evening reception will not require an entry pass and can let the gate attendant know they are there for the reception to be admitted and directed to the Administration Building.

A Few Reminders for our Members

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Color pencil on slate tile, copyright Arlene Widrevitz

This Wednesday, November 9, 2022, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild can go to the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum between 6 and 7:30 pm to do any or all of following-

A Preview of the 2022 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit

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Here is a small sample from the more than 150 works to be included in the Nature Artists’ Guild’s Autumn Nature Art Exhibit November 11 through 13, 2022 at The Morton Arboretum. Please click on any image for the full version. Many more artwork images to come soon!

Autumn Leaves in Icy Puddle, copyright Margie Navolio
Cloud 2, copyright Haruo Kurokawa
HollyHocks, copyright Linn Eldred
Windy Day on the Big Hill, copyright Beth Berry
Night Owl…Owl you need is Love!, copyright Jacky Surma
Alpine Glacier Melt, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
The Curious Pileated Woodpecker, copyright Karen Remkus
Along the Water, copyright Marlene Vitek
Grape Honeysuckle (Lonicera Reticulata), copyright Kumie Kim
Autumnal Rhapsody, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Honey Crisp, copyright Dorothy Duffala
Stillness in the Morning, copyright Beth Berry
Lake Marmo Reflections, copyright Laverne Bohlin
Copper Beech, copyright Arlene Widrevitz
Great Blue Heron, copyright Mary Voegeli
Warren Woods, copyright Cindy Kerchmar
Pink Magnolia, copyright Jill Adzia
Tomato, copyright Lisa Kanellos

Artists Creating Art November 11 through 13, 2022

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In addition to enjoying more than 150 pieces of nature art and viewing additional works created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Schulenberg Prairie, visitors to the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2022 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum will have the opportunity to observe and interact with artists working in a fascinating variety of media.

Masked Shrew, copyright Nancy Halliday

On Friday evening, November 11, from 7 until 9, Nancy Halliday will be demonstrating her techniques for depicting realistic flora and fauna in watercolor.

Mirror, copyright Dale Olsen

Dale Olsen is known for his stunning large landscapes created in oil or acrylic. On Saturday morning, November 12, from 10:30 until 12:30, Dale will be working in acrylic.

White pine, copyright Linda Hilderbrant

On Saturday afternoon, November 12, from 1 until 3, Linda Hilderbrant will complete her beautifully detailed color pencil piece, White pine, by adding branching to the pinecone.

Rabbits, copyright Arlene Widrevitz

Arlene Widrevitz will be sharing techniques for using silverpoint to create subtly beautiful drawings on Sunday morning, November 13, from 10:30 until 12:30.

Posy and Bee, copyright Linn Eldred

On Sunday afternoon, November 13, from 1 until 3, Linn Eldred will share tips for using soft brushes with the dust obtained from soft pastels to create vibrant paintings.

The artists are looking forward to speaking with visitors, answering questions, and sharing ideas, inspirations, and tips! The demonstrations will take place in the lobby of the Administration Building (adjacent to the Cudahy Room and the Sterling Morton Library) throughout the Autumn Art Exhibit.

Autumn Art Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild November 11 – 13, 2022

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Poster artwork by Featured Artist Alice Wych. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger. Exhibit posters and postcards are available to pick up between 9 and 4 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at the Thornhill Education Center. Members are encouraged to share with local businesses, family and friends.

The 2022 Autumn Art Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild at The Morton Arboretum will showcase more than 150 pieces by approximately 50 members, including numerous works by Featured Artist Alice Wych.

Nature Artists’ Guild members’ small works celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Schulenberg Prairie will be also be displayed at the adjacent Sterling Morton Library during exhibit hours.

In addition to viewing the exhibit artwork, visitors will be able to purchase original artwork on slate, buy tickets for raffle items, and interact with artists who will be demonstrating their techniques. More details to come about the 2022 Autumn Art exhibit.

Also coming up –

A paint-out next Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at Lake Marmo of The Morton Arboretum will take place between 9 am and noon. Interested members can contact Linn Eldred for details and to be added to her email list for updates.

Sterling Pond, Autumn, copyright Dale Olsen

No pre-registration is necessary to participate in the exhibit celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Schulenberg Prairie. Details for participating were recently emailed to Nature Artists’ Guild members.

Prairie artwork, copyright Marlene Vitek (first two) and Maggie Mardis.

Even though the October 19th Coffee and Art will be cancelled so that members can attend the Lake Marmo paint-out, the gatherings will return the following Wednesday. Recent weeks have focused on fantastic feathers, but the next few will feature, of course, lovely leaves.

Colors of Fall, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez

The Morton Arboretum Photographic Society is also celebrating the Schulenberg Prairie’s anniversary with Seasons of the Schulenberg. The exhibit at the Sterling Morton Library ends on October 16, but the stunning images will soon be available for viewing on their website.

Even more –

  • The last day for members to submit photos or articles for the Winter Quarterly is November 1, 2022. Images of winter-related artwork can be sent to Jane Kellenberger.
  • The Nature Artists’ Guild’s Holiday Party with raffles, food, and fun will be on the evening of Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Thornhill Education Center. Members will receive an invitation by email with all the details.
  • Next January’s special exhibit at the Downers Grove Library will have an earlier drop-off date of December 17, 2022 this year. A prospectus and all the details will be emailed to members.

We See You Autumn! Paint-Out at Lake Marmo on October 19, 2022

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Autumn, Sterling Pond, copyright Dale Olsen

Nature Artists’ Guild members have been so busy preparing for exhibits, attending programs and workshops, and focusing on the prairie that they may not have noticed the annual changing-of-the-colors sneaking in! Well, the trees are now doing their best to capture everyone’s attention and the Nature Artists’ Guild has taken note.

A paint-out has been scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 9 until noon at Lake Marmo, located in The Morton Arboretum for all members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Lake Marmo is known for it’s springtime reflections of the redbuds lining its shores, but autumn brings it’s own warmer colors to the scene with reflections of yellow, gold, and red contrasting with and accentuating the vivid blue of the lake.

Members can participate in this paint-out by contacting Linn Eldred (by email or by clicking here) to be added to the email list for details about the meeting spot and weather related updates.

Colors of Fall, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez

Note that the Wednesday morning Coffee and Art gathering will not take place on October 19th.

Nature Artists’ Guild Welcomes Autumn

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The weather is already a bit brisker, there is just a hint of brilliant color in the leaves, and members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are looking forward to celebrating the wonderful displays of the season through their art.

Coming soon –

Tomorrow, September 24, 2022, the guild has a workshop scheduled for members interested in creating subtle pieces of art using color pencil on slate tiles.

Color pencil on slate, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez

On Thursday, October 6, 2022, artist and illustrator Kelley Cappell will be sharing some of her thoughts about creating artwork for a variety of viewers using pen and ink and acrylic, as well as digitally. This program, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild is open to the public, free of charge.

Snow Leopard, pen and ink, copyright Kelley Cappell

October 10, 2022 is the last day for members to mail completed prospectuses for participating in the 2022 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum in November. More to come soon about the exhibit and Featured Artist Alice Wych.

Poster artwork by Alice Wych. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.

Every Wednesday morning, a group of guild members meet at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum to chat, sketch, or enjoy the morning quiet at the Coffee and Art gathering. All guild members are invited to stop by.

Previous October pages in nature journal, copyright Linn Eldred

Members who would like to participate in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Schulenberg Prairie will be able to pick up an 8 x 8 canvas, board, or paper for the project at the Thornhill Education Center on September 24 during the Color Pencil on Slate Tile workshop or on the evening of October 6 at the Kelley Cappell presentation. Some types of supplies may be limited, so interested members may wish to contact Carol Balabanow for more information.

8 x 8 pieces from the Schulenberg Prairie, copyright Marlene Vitek (first two) and Maggie Mardis.

As always, click on the highlighted links for more information.

Color Pencil on Slate Workshop Next Week

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Color pencil on slate tile, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez

At a free workshop for Nature Artists’ Guild members, Mary Ann Jimenez will share techniques for creating stunning but subtle works of art on slate tiles using color pencils. The workshop will be held at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10 am until 2 pm.

Blank slate tiles will be provided free of charge to members to complete at the workshop or take with them for further work. The completed pieces will be for sale at the 2022 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum in November with all proceeds benefitting the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Interested members can contact Mary Ann Jimenez to register for the workshop. Her contact information and a supply list were emailed to members on August 3.

Note: 8 x 8 canvases, boards, or papers for the Schulenberg Prairie anniversary project will also be available at the workshop for members to pick up. Supplies of certain surfaces may be limited, so members are encouraged to contact Carol Balabanow for further information.

The Nature Artists’ Guild Welcomes Scientific Illustrator Kelley Cappell on October 6, 2022

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Snow Leopard, pen and ink, copyright Kelley Cappell. Used with permission.

On Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 7 pm, the Nature Artists’ Guild will welcome scientific illustrator Kelley Cappell to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum to share some of her inspirations and experiences creating illustrations and collaborating on exhibit design for the renowned Brookfield Zoo.

A qualified scientific illustrator with a degree in biology, Kelley creates her work in traditional methods using pen and ink, acrylic, and graphite, as well as digitally. In addition to her work at the zoo, Kelley is an instructor at the Water Street Studios School of Art in Batavia, IL.

This presentation, sponsored by the Nature Artists Guild of The Morton Arboretum, is free and open to all. There will be no fee for admission to the arboretum for this event, no fee for attendance, and no fee for parking (and no timed-entry pass necessary.) Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be admitted to the arboretum and directed to Thornhill.