Category: Exhibitions

Classes and Workshops, Events, Exhibitions, Meetings, Member Artwork, Paint-Outs, Programs

An Artful Autumn at the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum can look forward to a full Fall of art and nature!

Autumnal Gold, copyright Patricia Mroczka

Some upcoming events include –

  • A virtual lecture this month about the symbolism of art (much of it nature) portrayed on an 18th Century Asian screen. (Postponed until further notice.)
  • A “paint-out” in September where members create art in their own environment and share their experiences through video-chat or by sending images to display on this website.
  • An online presentation about journaling in nature with Lara Call Gastinger. Lara’s workshop at the Arboretum sold out immediately, but all Nature Artists’ Guild members are invited to join her October 1 presentation.
  • A new “Art Encounter” in October that will involve working almost solely in ink.  Its a great way to quickly hone those drawing skills!
  • An online exhibit in November of images of some of the finished artwork that members had hoped to include in the cancelled 2020 Spring or Autumn (Holiday) exhibits.
  • A fun and creative holiday card project in lieu of the annual in-person celebration.

Dates, times, and all the other details about these events will be shared with members through e-mails and announcements on this website.  

Classes and Workshops, Events, Exhibitions, Meetings, Paint-Outs, Programs, Volunteer

A Busy March for Nature Artists

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Please click on this link to important notices from The Morton Arboretum

 

Coming up in March for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild –

Eastern Towhee, copyright Alex Warnick. Used with permission.

Monday, March 2, 2020 is the last day for members to mail their completed prospectuses for the 2020 Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art.  The link for the prospectus was sent out to all members by e-mail last month.  New members, please don’t hesitate to participate.  The Guild is a supportive, non-competitive organization that values the contributions of nature artists at all skill levels.  Beginners to professionals, we welcome you all!

Update – the Spring exhibit has been postponed until a date to be determined.

Thursday, March 5, 2020 is the date of a very special program sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm.   Visiting Artist Alex Warnick will be sharing some thoughts about her exquisite paintings and illustrations of birds and her adventures in birding. This event is open to all and free-of-charge. Members are encouraged to invite their fellow artists, birders, and nature lovers to this presentation.  Details are in this previous post.

On Saturday, March 7, 2020 a repeat of last month’s Round Table Paint-In event will take place at Thornhill beginning at 1 pm.  Members should contact Linn Eldred if they’d like to participate.  Linn’s contact information is included in the February 19 e-mail sent to members.  All supplies will be provided, and there is no cost to attend this fun and creative event.

And that’s not all!  Plans are in the works for a paint-out at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum later in the month.  Details about this popular annual paint-out will be shared as soon as they are finalized.   Update – This event has been postponed until a date to be determined.

A fundraising workshop has been scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the Thornhill Education Center.  Supplies will be provided for Nature Artists’ Guild members who wish to participate by painting canvases to be sold at the Spring Exhibit as a fundraiser.  Fundraising workshops are a great place to get to know and enjoy some time with fellow Guild members.  Update – This event has been postponed until a date to be determined.

Exhibitions, Member Artwork

Nature Artists’ Guild Spring 2020 Exhibit of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum April 4 and 5, 2020

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The Spring 2020 Exhibit of Natural History Art will showcase more than 150 pieces of artwork by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

The exhibit will be held at the Cudahy Room adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library in the Administration & Research Center of The Morton Arboretum on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, 2020 between 10 am and 4 pm.   The exhibit will be open to all visitors to The Morton Arboretum for no additional fee.   A reception for friends of the artists and members of the Arboretum will be held at the same location on the evening of Friday, April 3, 2020.

For questions about group accommodations, please use the contact form on the About page of this website.  There will be much more to come about this exhibit in coming weeks, including the official exhibit poster featuring the artwork of Jill Adzia.  Check back soon!

Update – the Spring exhibit has been postponed until a date to be determined.

Lady slippers, copyright Jill Adzia.
Events, Exhibitions, Member Artwork

2020 Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Prospectus Has Been Sent!

by DeniseLeave a Comment on 2020 Nature Artists’ Guild Spring Prospectus Has Been Sent!

The link to the prospectus for the 2020 Spring Exhibit of Natural History Art was e-mailed to all current Nature Artists’ Guild members on January 24, 2020.  Since the e-mail service used by the Nature Artists’ Guild has changed recently, some members’ e-mails could automatically be going to a different folder in their inbox.  Members who haven’t received the prospectus should check their “social”, “promotions”, and “spam” folders for the message.

There is still time to join the Nature Artists’ Guild for 2020 and receive a copy of the Spring prospectus.  Prospective members can join online or by mail.  More information is available on the Membership page of this website.  New members who join during January or February will be e-mailed a link to the prospectus.  All completed prospectuses must be returned by March 2, 2020. 

Pileated Woodpecker, copyright Jill Adzia, Featured Artist of the Spring 2020 Exhibit of Natural History Art.
Events, Exhibitions, Member Artwork, Outside Exhibitions

Pollinators in Action: Flowering Journeys Call for Art

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“You might not stop to admire a beetle on the sidewalk, but a stunning painting of a beetle might catch your eye,” says heritage interpreter Kendra Strubhart, curator of the upcoming Pollinators in Action:  Flowering Journeys exhibit at the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL.  “Animals are not the only means of pollination,” Strubhart adds. “If someone is inspired by how the wind carries pollen, we want to see what a work of art by that person looks like.”

The exhibit is sponsored by the DuPage Monarch Project and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and will be part of the district’s “effort to highlight pollinators through programs, hikes, lectures and performances” this spring and early summer.  Exhibit applications will be accepted online beginning on February 1, 2020.  Please click here for the application and more information.
Hexagons and Honeybees 2, acrylic and polymer, © 2017 Karen A Johnson

Hexagons and Honeybees 2  by Nature Artists’ Guild member Karen Johnson is a great example of the type of work the exhibit will feature.  Nature Artists’ Guild members are a natural fit for this exhibit opportunity!

Events, Exhibitions, Member Artwork, Outside Exhibitions

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit in Downers Grove, January 2020

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Spring Rapids on the Farm, copyright Ann Lamoureux.

For renewing Nature Artists’ Guild members, the upcoming 2020 Downers Grove Public Library exhibit will be the quickest and easiest of the year to participate in.  As all of the artwork has to have been included in a previous exhibit at The Morton Arboretum within the last five years, the difficult part is already done.  The artwork is ready!  There will be no need for last minute touches, no trips to the framer, no titles to compose, and no referee process to go through.

Participants in this popular exhibit only need to mail their prospectus by this Friday, December 13, 2019, drop off their artwork at the library on Saturday, December 28 between 10 and 11 am, and ensure that their 2020 dues are paid by December 31, 2019.

The Downers Grove Public Library has an ongoing commitment to exhibiting artwork both in their wonderful permanent collection and in rotating exhibits featuring accomplished local artists.  The Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit will be showcased throughout January 2020.

Spring Rapids on the Farm by Ann Lamoureux, featured above, is a lovely example of artwork that has been included in previous Nature Artists’ Guild exhibits.

Events, Exhibitions, Meetings, Outside Exhibitions, Paint-Outs

This December for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Silverpoint drawing, copyright Mary Ann Jimenez

This Thursday, December 5, 2019, is the annual holiday party.  It’s fun, not too formal, and a good opportunity to get to know fellow artists a bit better (programs and paint-outs don’t always leave much time for socializing).  Please click on the link for more information.

On Saturday, December 7, 2019, members who have reserved a seat at the Sterling Morton Library presentation will be treated to a hot beverage and an afternoon of fascinating tales from author Cindy Crosby and librarian Rita Hassert.

Nature Artist’s Guild members wishing to participate in the January 2020 Downers Grove Library special exhibit will need to mail their completed prospectus by Friday, December 13, 2019 and drop off their work on Saturday, December 28, 2019 between 10 and 11 am at the library.  All the details are included in the exhibit prospectus, which was e-mailed to members on November 17.

Returning members of the Nature Artists’ Guild can pay 2020 membership dues by sending a check to Treasurer Catherine Stacy (whose address can be found in the Yearbook), by paying her or another board member with cash or check at the holiday party, or by clicking on the Membership tab of this website to use PayPal or a credit card.  New members can send a check to the address listed on the Membership brochure or use PayPal or a credit card as mentioned above.

Events, Exhibitions, Member Artwork

A Reminder for Nature Artists’ Guild Members

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It’s getting to be that time!  No, not for the holidays (yet), but for Nature Artists’ Guild members to put the finishing touches on their artwork, complete their framing, and find a way to safely transport their artwork, rain, snow, or moonlight, because “referee night” is just over a week away.  On Wednesday, November 6, 2019, between 6 and 8 pm, participating members of the Guild are asked to bring the artwork they have previously registered through their prospectus to the Administration Building at The Morton Arboretum.

The 2019 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art will take place at the Arboretum on the weekend of November 9 and 10, 2019, with a reception for artists, their guests, and members of The Morton Arboretum on Friday evening, November 8.

Milkweed pod, copyright Jane Kellenberger.  Click here to see more by Jane, the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2019 Autumn Featured Artist.
Events, Exhibitions, Member Artwork

Artists at Work at the 2019 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art

by DeniseLeave a Comment on Artists at Work at the 2019 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art

The annual Spring and Holiday (Autumn) Nature Artists’ Guild exhibits at The Morton Arboretum always feature a wide variety of media and styles.  The upcoming exhibit on the weekend of November 9 and 10, 2019 (and the reception for artists’ guests and members of the Arboretum on Friday evening, November 8) will continue in that tradition, and five Guild members will be sharing their unique ways of creating nature art with visitors.  Visitors to the exhibit will be able to watch the following artists up-close and at work, talk with them, see their tools and supplies, and sometimes even try the techniques themselves!

On Friday, November 8, from 5 until 7:30 pm, Nancy Halliday will be sharing her approach to creating lovely watercolors.

Masked Shrew, copyright Nancy Halliday

On Saturday, November 9, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Carol Abramofsky will show visitors the tools, steps, and uses of mold-making in nature art.

Mold-making with Carolyn Abramofsky

On Saturday, November 9, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Cheryl Rausch will be engaging visitors in the fascinating world of digital art.

Mother’s Love, copyright 2019 Cheryl Rausch

On Sunday, November 10, from 10:30 am until 1 pm, Victoria Elizabeth will share some of her inspirations and techniques in creating watercolors.

Closed, copyright Victoria Elizabeth

On Sunday, November 10, from 1:15 until 3:45 pm, Kathy Steere will show visitors her way of using different media for coloring on fabric.

Kathy Steere, Coloring on Fabric

Please click on this link for more details about the exhibit.