Exhibitions – Nature Artists' Guild

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Bloomingdale Exhibit Opens August 2026

Published on June 11, 2026July 3, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Detail of Yellowstone Tree Root, copyright Jeffrey Zawada

The prospectus and registration link were emailed to Guild members on June 25, 2026. Registration can only be completed through the emailed link, not through this website. (Guild members who did not receive the email or have questions about the exhibit should contact Irena Gintilas or Jeffrey Zawada. Their contact information is listed in the Guild’s 2026 Yearbook.)

Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World will be exhibited from August 8 through September 12, 2026 at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum. A reception will be held on Sunday, August 16, from 2 through 4, with music and light refreshments provided by the museum, and a demonstration by a talented Guild artist.

Participants must be members of the Nature Artists’ Guild (half-year memberships are now available for first-time members), and the artwork must either have been included in a previous Guild exhibit or be juried by emailed photos to ensure it meets Guild exhibition guidelines.

The museum welcomes artist demonstrations during its open hours, and the Guild’s special exhibit coordinators, Irena Gintilas and Jeffrey Zawada, encourage members who may be interested in demonstrating to contact them by email. Museum hours are Wednesdays, from 3 to 7 pm, and Thursdays and Saturdays, from noon to 4.

There is no entry fee or volunteer requirement for this exhibit, and the artwork drop-off will be on August 7. Volunteers to help hang the artwork that day would be welcome and can contact Irena or Jeffrey to sign up. Artwork pick-up will be on September 13, and no artwork can be stored. All the details will be included in the prospectus and emailed to members.

Fauna of The Morton Arboretum

Published on May 30, 2026May 30, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Camofrog, copyright Linda Hilderbrant (cropped to illustrate square format of the Fauna project. Click on image for full version).

It’s time for Nature Artists’ Guild members to get started on this year’s small works project honoring The Morton Arboretum!

This year’s theme for our members’ 8 x 8 inch works, to be displayed alongside the Guild’s 2026 Autumn Exhibit at the Arboretum in November, is “Fauna.”

Merriam-Webster defines “fauna” as the “the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment.” The special environment for this project is The Morton Arboretum, so inspiration will be diverse and plentiful this time of year!

From the tiniest insects to the largest mammals, all the wild creatures ever found at The Morton Arboretum will qualify as subjects for “Fauna 2026.” (Domestic animals not eligible.)

Fauna 2026 –

A registration form will be emailed to members later in the year.

Guild members can participate by creating up to three works, completed at or inspired by The Morton Arboretum.

Artwork must be exactly 8 by 8 inches and less than 1/2 inch in depth, unframed, and can be in almost any medium.

There will be no exhibit fee or volunteer requirement.

This special display is separate from, but will be exhibited during and alongside, the Guild’s 2026 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

Artwork should follow general Nature Artists’ Guild exhibition guidelines (except matting and framing and size requirements).

(Click here for samples of artwork from last year’s “Flora.”)

Exhibits, Paint-Outs, and Programs Coming Soon!

Published on May 7, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Joy of Plants, copyright Patricia Joyce.

The next few months will be filled with opportunities for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild to share, sketch, and learn, all while enjoying the company of fellow artists.

The Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will be the location for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s trio of artist demonstrations on the evening of June 4, 2026, beginning at 7. Three talented Guild members will share their inspirations, methods, and materials at this popular annual event. The program will be open to all, free of charge, and registration is not required.

On June 11, 2026 (rain date June 12), Anne and Charles Bouchard will share their professionally designed and beautifully updated private garden in Glen Ellyn, IL, with members of the Guild from 9:30 until noon. Guild members can register here for this event, the first of four different private garden paint-outs scheduled for this summer.

Initial preparations for this summer’s Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum have begun, and prospectuses will be emailed to all members next month. The exhibit will run from August 8 until September 12, 2026, and will include member demonstrations and an opening reception. Guild members will have the opportunity to enter work previously exhibited at The Morton Arboretum or juried by email photos.

Guild members can use this busy time of wildlife activity to begin their contributions to this autumn’s special display of 8 x 8 works honoring the Arboretum, “Fauna.” Each member will be eligible to include up to three unframed works, which must be 8 x 8 inches, less than 1/2 inch deep, and inspired by the fauna of the Arboretum. (Examples of last year’s small works display, “Flora,” can be seen here.)

As always, Guild members (and guests) are invited to attend a casual Wednesday morning gathering at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum, Coffee and Art. This friendly and welcoming group of artists spends a few hours each week chatting, sketching, or just enjoying the morning sights and sounds of the Arboretum. No registration is required.

More details about these and more events coming soon!

Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2026 Spring Exhibit Went Swimmingly!

Published on April 23, 2026April 30, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Sea Turtle, copyright Eva Holy. Please click on the image for a sample of artwork from the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2026 Spring Exhibit.

The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to congratulate and thank all those involved in the success of the 2026 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum!

More than 1300 visitors were able to enjoy over 200 wonderful works of art at The Morton Arboretum last weekend, thanks to Exhibit Co-Chairs Alice Wych and Lisa Kanellos, Featured Artist Cheryl Holz, approximately 60 participating members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, and all the volunteers, demonstrators, and Arboretum staff who shared their time, effort, and talents to make the 2026 Spring Art Exhibit so successful.

Following is a small sample of artwork images contributed by Nature Artists’ Guild exhibitors –

Purple Clematis, copyright Donna Falk
Magnolia #2, copyright Donna Falk
Torrey Sunrise, copyright Nancy Roberts Himmes
Sunset Over the Marsh, copyright Nancy Roberts Himmes
Pele’s Fury, copyright Lia Liu
Verdant Rain, copyright Lia Liu
Barn Owl, copyright Jill Adzia
Northern Flicker, copyright Jill Adzia
Walnut Monarch Mushroom Medley, copyright Cheryl Holz
Springbrook Summer Green, copyright Cheryl Holz
Late February Crocuses, copyright Kora Bongen
River Turtle, copyright Kora Bongen
Wetland Sunset Crossing, copyright Shannon Yeh
Mist Rising over the Valley, copyright Shannon Yeh
Lighted Forest Revisited, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Lighted Forest Revisited 1, copyright Ann Lamoureux
Autumn Oak, copyright Joanne May
California Dusk, copyright Joanne May
Spring Reflections, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker
Snowy Owl, copyright Cindy Jiang
Flamingo Embrace, copyright Cindy Jiang
Iris Reflection, copyright Cynthia Boudreau
The Gloaming Time, copyright Cynthia Boudreau
Kissed by the Setting Sun, copyright Lora Lee Gelles
Midnight Bloom, copyright Lora Lee Gelles
Monarch Landing, copyright Alice Wych
Lillies of the Pond, copyright Mark Scherer
Night Light, copyright Mark Scherer
Summer Transition, copyright Julia Rivera
Bird in Paradise, copyright Eva Holy
Sea Turtle, copyright Eva Holy
A Cloak of Clouds, copyright Mary Beth Purse
Begonia rex ‘Black Mamba,’ copyright Linda Hilderbrant
Zinnias, copyright Linda Hilderbrant
Looking Back, copyrght Dianne Batzkall
Autumn, copyright Dianne Batzkall
Nest from Texas, copyright Maggie Mardis
Spring Greens, copyright Birgitte Christensson
Whispers in the Forest, copyright Elizabeth Berry
Stillness in Motion, copyright Elizabeth Berry
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia X Soulangeana), copyright Kumie Kim
Japanese Stewartia (stewartia pesudocamellia), copyright Kumie Kim
Hellebore, copyright Lisa Kanellos
Early Morning on the Lake 1, copyright Haruo Kurokawa
Early Morning on the Lake 2, copyright Haruo Kurokawa
Orchid, copyright Margie Navolio

This sample of exhibit artwork images (and information about contacting the artists) is also available by clicking here.

Nature Artists’ Guild Featured in Local Magazine

Published on April 16, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Glen Ellyn’s recent issue of their Stroll magazine features an article about the Nature Artists’ Guild! This lovely article highlights the upcoming exhibit this weekend, and includes insights and artwork by Guild president, Lisa Kanellos, and other members.

Thank you, Stroll! We hope your readers enjoy learning about the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.

The 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum Opens Friday, April 17

Published on April 16, 2026April 20, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Poster artwork by 2026 Spring Featured Artist, Cheryl Holz. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.

The 2026 Spring Art Exhibit by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be held this weekend, Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, at The Morton Arboretum. More than 200 works of art by approximately 70 Guild members will be displayed.

Throughout exhibit hours, 10 to 4 daily, visitors can also enjoy interacting with members of the Nature Artists’ Guild demonstrating their work in various media (schedule listed here), and raffle tickets will be available for beautiful themed gift baskets. (Admission to the Arboretum will be required, but there is no additional charge to attend the exhibit.)

Friday evening’s reception, from 4:30 until 7, will be open to the public, completely free of charge. No registration is required, and there will be no charge for admission to the Arboretum or the exhibit for this reception. Complimentary light refreshments will be offered, and wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Reception visitors can let the Arboretum’s gate attendant know they are there for the reception to be admitted and directed to free parking for the exhibit.

The following small sample of exhibit artwork gives a preview of the variety of media, subject matter, and artistic styles that visitors can expect to enjoy. Click here to see the full versions. (More images to come, soon after the exhibit closes.)

Artists Creating Art, April 17 through 19 at The Morton Arboretum

Published on April 10, 2026April 10, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to present the following schedule of demonstrators for the upcoming 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum this April 17th through 19th.

In addition to enjoying over 200 works of art by more than 60 Guild artists, including Featured Artist, Cheryl Holz, Arboretum visitors will have the opportunity to watch and interact with the following members as they demonstrate and discuss their methods, materials, and inspirations.

Detail of Spring Reflections, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker

Detail of Sovereigns of the Sky, copyright Dan Danielson

Detail of Water Lily, copyright Cynthia Boudreau

Detail of Two Scarlets, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe

A sample of artwork by many more participating artists and details about Friday evening’s reception (open to all) coming soon!

April Brings More than Showers!

Published on April 3, 2026April 3, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

Verdant Rain, copyright Lia Liu. This stunning watercolor will be included in the upcoming Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

April has arrived with plenty of showers for the May flowers (as well as a whole lot more for all those interested in nature and art) –

On April 8, 2026, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and guests will be gathering at the Daffodil Glade of The Morton Arboretum for a paint-out from 9:30 until about noon. Coordinator Celia Rodee will provide hot coffee and delicious treats to begin the morning of painting and sketching among the trees and flowers. All are invited to drop by (participants will meet by the entrance to the Fragrance Garden near the Thornhill Education Center), but registration is strongly encouraged to be added to an email list for updates, including weather-related.

The opening of the Guild’s 2026 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum is just two weeks away! The exhibit opens on Friday, April 17, and runs through Sunday, April 19 in the Cudahy Room, adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library, located in the Administration Building of the Arboretum. Over 200 works of art in a variety of media, created by more than 60 Guild members, will be showcased. A reception will be held on Friday evening and is open to all. Registration is not required, and there will be no charge for admission, parking, or entry to the Arboretum for the reception.

Nature is right on schedule with its flora and fauna – ephemerals are springing up to share their beauty, and frogs and birds are singing their songs! Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild can make the most of this fleeting season with sketches, plein-air paintings, and photographs for future works, such as this year’s small-works (8 x 8 inches) project honoring The Morton Arboretum, “Fauna,” to be shown this November alongside the annual Autumn exhibit.

2026 Spring Exhibit Featured Artist Cheryl Holz

Published on March 24, 2026 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is pleased to present its 2026 Spring Exhibit’s Featured Artist, Cheryl Holz.

My goal is to inspire, in others, the same love of nature that I experience, to bring nature into their space, to motivate them to immerse themselves in it and experience the same peace and awe I do. – Cheryl Holz

Numerous examples of Cheryl’s artwork will be showcased in a designated area near the exhibit entrance, where visitors will have the opportunity to meet and talk with Cheryl before entering the main exhibit space. The Cudahy Room will contain nearly two hundred works of art in a variety of media by more than sixty members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. (Cudahy Room is located in the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum, adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library.)

Cheryl beautifully describes her inspirations and fascination with nature and shares a preview of her stunning artwork on her Featured Artist page of this website. (Much more of her work can be found on Cheryl’s website.)

The 2026 Spring Art Exhibit will be held from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, with a reception on Friday evening. Much more to come soon, including more about the reception, a schedule of demonstrators, and samples of exhibit artwork by various Guild members.

Daffodil Glade Paint-Out April 8, 2026

Published on March 20, 2026March 23, 2026 by Denise1 Comment

Daffodil Glade, copyright Yvonne Buckley

Nature Artists’ Guild members and guests are invited to enjoy what The Morton Arboretum describes as “a sunlit glade beneath grand old oak trees . . . paved with daffodils,” for a paint-out on April 8.

Coordinator Celia Rodee will greet attendees with coffee and delectable treats at 9:30 on the morning of Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the entrance to the Arboretum’s Fragrance Garden, near the Thornhill Education Center. From there, artists can walk or drive to nearby Daffodil Glade, and find their spot for painting, sketching, or strolling through the glade taking photographs for future inspiration.

“Beneath widely spaced old oaks, spring rolls out a grassy carpet filled with waves of cheerful, varied daffodils.” The first daffodils were planted at the Arboretum in 1946 as part of some of Joy Morton’s earliest plans for the location.

All are invited to stop by and enjoy the morning, but registration is recommended to be added to an email list with details and updates (including weather-related).

Reminder – Tomorrow, March 21, 2026, is the final day to register for the 2026 Spring Nature Art Exhibit. Members can learn more here, and there is still time to join or renew membership in the Guild and be included!