Category: Events

Nature Artists’ Guild’s First Paint-Out of 2011

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The first paint-out location of 2011 is an annual favorite, the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University in Lisle. We will meet on January 15, at 9:30 am, and can stay until about 12:30 pm.  There’s a good reason we keep coming back – this museum is a treasure!

The museum is filled with mounts and skeletons of creatures ranging from birds to elk. Closer than the Field museum for most, and warmer than the zoo in January, this is a great opportunity to get good sketches of almost any animal imaginable! The more than 10,000 specimens are displayed in a few large rooms, and there are usually no other visitors during our paint-outs, so we have plenty of room.  There are a few benches available, but you may want to bring a folding chair so you can move to wherever you find an interesting subject. 

Please let Ku-mie Kim know if you are planning to come, as she will be meeting members there.  It’s fine if you need to be a little late – it’s a casual gathering.  Often some of the participants go out for lunch afterwards, or stay a little later at the museum for some extra time with the animals.

The address is 5700 College Road, Lisle, Birck Hall, 2nd Floor.  For some photos and more information about the museum, please click here. 

Artwork  © Robert Sunyog

Nature Artists’ Guild Important Dates List Updated for 2011

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The Nature Artists’ Guild calendar is already full of exciting exhibits, programs, workshops and paint-outs for next year.  Please click on the “Important Dates” tab above to see the updated list.  As there are a number of dates “to be announced” and details to be added, remember to check back often for updates!

Some Reminders for the Coming Weeks

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As busy as you may be at this time of the year, there are just a few more Nature Artists’ Guild events you may still want to work into your schedule –

  • Share a cup of good cheer, and support your fellow artists at the Canterbury Shoppe Nature Artists’ Guild gallery for a “Meet the Artist” open house between 1 and 4 on Saturday, December 11, or at one of the artist demonstrations in December (see schedule here).
  • Don’t forget about the deadline for mailing your prospectus for the Downer’s Grove Library exhibit on December 17! It’s a nice venue for displaying your artwork.  Please contact Paulette if you have misplaced the prospectus that was e-mailed last month.
  • Save the date of January 15th for our popular annual Jurica paint-out.  More details to come!

Good Food and Fun at Holiday Party

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It appears that everyone had a good time at the holiday party!  It was a special treat to have former president and newest honorary member Mary Ingels surprise us with a visit. President Jill Adzia thanked all who have worked so hard in the last year, new officers were sworn in, raffle prizes were given out, and lots of good food and laughs were shared!

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Come Visit the Nature Artists’ Guild Winter Exhibit at the Canterbury Shoppe!

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Jill, Paulette, and Fran, after much deliberation and re-arranging, have put together a lovely display of the work of the artists participating in the Canterbury Shoppe Winter Exhibit.    Over 40 pieces of outstanding artwork were hung, and numerous plates, boxes, tiles, pendants, cards and ornaments were carefully arranged in our gift section.  Canterbury Shoppe owner Pamela Patton and her staff were helpful and gracious as always, even in the face of our barrage of requests for scissors, ladders, tacks, and picture hangers!

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The Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit area at the Canterbury Shoppe seems ideal for our artwork.  The open area with bamboo floors, high ceilings, cream-colored walls, track-lighting, and even some exposed brick walls all contribute to the “gallery” effect and the location is excellent!

If you happen to be in the Naperville area doing some holiday shopping, be sure to stop in, or even better, stop by our “Meet the Artist” open-house on Saturday, December 11 any time between 1 and 4, or stop by one of our artist demonstrations in December (schedule below).  You may find some unique holiday gifts or be inspired to participate in the upcoming Spring Exhibit!  The Canterbury Shoppe is located at 43 East Jefferson Avenue in Naperville, IL.

 Schedule

  • Denise Fisk – Saturday, December 4, 12 to 2 pm, Acrylic
  • Artists’ Reception Open House, Saturday, December 11, 1 to 4 pm
  • Karen Wahlers,  Sunday, December 12, 12 to 2 pm, China Painting
  • Don Castro, Wednesday, December 15, 1 to 3 pm, Pen and Ink
  • Denise Fisk – Saturday, December 18, 12 to 2 pm, Acrylic and Oil
  • Bob Sunyog, Sunday, December 19, 12 to 2 pm, Wood Burning Art

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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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.