Category: Exhibitions

‘Fauna’ coming to The Morton Arboretum November 13 through 15, 2026

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Click on image for a sample of “Fauna 2026” artwork!

In less than ten days, the reception area of The Morton Arboretum’s Administration Building will be filled with fauna (artwork)!

This special display of more than 50 small works will be shown from November 13 to 15, 2026, along with the Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual Autumn Art Exhibit in the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum.

Fauna is this year’s theme for the 8 by 8-inch works honoring The Morton Arboretum by members of the Guild. These small jewels will complement the main 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit of over 200 pieces by more than 60 Guild members.

Much more about artist demonstrations and the Friday evening reception (which will be open to the public, completely free of charge) coming soon.

A few reminders for Guild members –

  • The 2026 holiday party for Guild members, Jingle and Mingle, will be held on Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 8:30 pm. The planners are already busy with arrangements for an evening promising “much merriment!” An invitation will be emailed soon to all members.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2026 Autumn Exhibit Artwork Sample

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Morning Delight, copyright Janice Czerwinski. Click on the image for more.

The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to present a sample of artwork to be included in the 2026 Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum from November 13 to 16.

More artwork images, included many from the accompanying display, Fauna, will be added soon. Exhibiting artists can still contribute images of their artwork for the website display by following image submission instructions here.

Much more about the Friday evening reception, artist demonstrations, and fundraising items coming soon.

Looking Forward to the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit and ‘Fauna’ Display at The Morton Arboretum

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Mouse, copyright Nicolette Metz, will be included in the “Fauna” display of small works during the 2026 Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

Nature Artists’ Guild members are busily adding final touches to their artwork as they look forward to participating in the upcoming 2026 Nature Art Exhibit and “Fauna,” an accompanying display of small works, at The Morton Arboretum from November 13 through 15.

Visitors can look forward to a reception with light refreshments, multiple daily artist demonstrations, themed gift baskets to be raffled, hand-painted ornaments for sale, and the enjoyment of viewing over 200 works of nature art by more than 60 Guild members.

The event is open to all Arboretum visitors, and no extra fee or registration is required. The reception will be held on Friday evening from 5 to 8 and is open to all at no charge.

A sample of artwork images will be coming soon! (Participating artists can email images of up to two pieces of their exhibit artwork and up to three pieces of Fauna artwork to Denise Fisk for inclusion in upcoming website displays.)

Featured Artist of the 2026 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, Terrie McComb

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Winter Whimsy, copyright Terrie McComb. Click on the image to learn more about Terrie and her artwork.

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is pleased to announce the Featured Artist for its 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit, Terrie McComb.

The 2026 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit will showcase numerous works by Terrie, in addition to nearly 200 pieces by approximately 60 other Guild members, at the Cudahy Room of The Morton Arboretum from Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15, 2026. A reception, open to all, is also being planned for Friday evening from 5 until 8.

From the Treasure Box, copyright Terrie McComb

Nature can often be amazingly resilient, but heartbreakingly fragile. To me, there is amazing truth in both. Telling the stories and revealing the secrets of these incredible creations can build a community to cherish and preserve them. – Terrie McComb

Much more about the reception, fundraising items, demonstrators, and samples of exhibit artwork coming soon!

Important reminder for Guild members – the final day to register for the 2026 Autumn Art Exhibit or the 2026 display of 8 x 8 artwork, Fauna, is this Saturday, October 17.

Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum November 13 through 15, 2026

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Poster artwork by Featured Artist Terrie McComb. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.

The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to present their annual Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum on November 13 through 15, 2026.

This year’s exhibit will showcase numerous works by Featured Artist Terry McComb, along with over 200 pieces by nearly 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. The exhibit will open on Friday, November 13, at 10 am, and a reception, open to all, free of charge, will be held that evening from 5 until 8. This much-anticipated annual autumn event is expected to attract nearly 1500 Arboretum visitors through the weekend and will continue until Sunday at 4 pm.

Interested members of the Nature Artists’ Guild must register by October 17 to participate in this exhibit or the accompanying display of 8 x 8 artwork, Fauna.

Much more about the exhibit, reception, fundraising, demonstrators, and Featured Artist Terrie McComb coming soon, along with samples of exhibit artwork. Free copies of the exhibit poster and postcard for sharing with friends, family, and local businesses and organizations are available to pick up at the office of the Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum.

Final Week for ‘Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World’

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Click on image for museum location and hours.

More than 75 works of nature art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be available for viewing at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum through this Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The museum will be open to the public for the final days of Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World, on Wednesday, September 9, from 3 to 7, Thursday, September 10, from 12 to 4, and Saturday, September 12, from 12 to 4.

Celebrated artist Cynthia Hellyer Heinz will be demonstrating her color pencil techniques on Saturday at the museum, and everyone attending Bloomingdale Septemberfest is welcome to stop by! (Parking may not be available at the museum during this event on Saturday.)

Reminder: Participating artists must pick up their artwork at the museum on Sunday, September 13, between 12 and 2.

Spectacular Color Coming Soon!

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Where the Garden Leads, copyright Lora Lee Gelles, was included in last year’s Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum. Click on image for more.

Recent cool evenings are beginning to hint at the coming wonders of autumn, especially the spectacular displays of color. Nature Artists’ Guild exhibits, paint-outs, a program, and a workshop (as well as a selection of classes offered by The Morton Arboretum) will help with exploring and celebrating these wonders.

  • In just a few weeks, prospectuses for the 2026 Autumn Exhibit at the Morton Arboretum and Fauna, the display of 8 x 8 works honoring the Arboretum, will be emailed to members. (New members who join the Guild before the prospectus due date will be eligible to participate in these exhibits.)
  • The Nature Artists’ Guild will sponsor a program by oil pastel artist George Shipperly on the evening of Thursday, October 1, at The Morton Arboretum. This presentation will be free and open to the public, and no registration will be required. More details coming soon.
  • A return of the free workshop for Guild members, Wood Slice Ornaments with Lindsay Sandbothe, will be held on October 10. Registration is required, and only a few spots remain for this popular event.
  • And for those who just want to drop by to enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of The Morton Arboretum on a weekday morning without the crowds, the Guild’s Coffee and Art gatherings continue each Wednesday, beginning at about 9:30 in the Visitor Center.

The Bloomingdale Museum will be Hopping this Sunday!

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Tree Frog, copyright Dan Danielson

Award-winning artist (and Nature Artist Guild member), Dan Danielson, will be demonstrating his fun and fluid style of watercolor painting at the reception for the Guild’s exhibit, open to all on August 16, 2026, from 2 to 4, at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum.

The free reception for Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World, at the museum on Sunday, August 16, will be open to the public from 2 to 4 pm. Refreshments and music provided by the museum, a demonstration by Dan Danielson, and the opportunity to view more than 75 works of art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, will all contribute to a wonderful afternoon!

The exhibit will continue until September 12, and visitors can visit the museum’s website for hours and directions.

Also —

  • Guild artists will also be demonstrating inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum during the Arboretum’s 2026 Wine and Art Walk. Everyone is invited to stop by and learn more about the Guild or simply chat with an artist and watch them create between 10 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16. (Arboretum membership or a gate fee will be required for entrance to the Arboretum.)

“Rooted in Observation” Opens August 8, 2026, in Bloomingdale

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Yellowstone Tree Root detail, copyright Jeffrey Zawada

It’s that exciting pre-exhibit time for participating members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum! They will be dropping off their work today for volunteers to artfully arrange throughout the galleries for tomorrow’s opening.

Rooted in Observation: Art Inspired by the Living World will be exhibited from August 8 through September 12, 2026 at the historic 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 talented Guild artist Dan Danielson (details coming soon).

Exhibit attendees should check the museum’s website for directions, hours, and other information before planning their visit.

The Gardens at Ball, August 4, 2026

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The Gardens at Ball, photo credit Hoerr Schaudt

It’s time for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual trip to the display gardens of one of the world’s most renowned growers, Ball Horticultural!

Guild members are invited to attend one of the year’s most anticipated paint-outs at The Gardens at Ball on the morning of Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 9:30 until noon.

“What began as a row trial garden for seed varieties in 1933 has grown to encompass over 15 acres of display gardens for annuals, perennials, cut flowers and vegetables, including the newest plants from the industry’s leading breeders and marketers.”

The gardens are guaranteed to offer a glorious variety of color and form for Guild artists to capture in their sketches, paintings, or photographs. Space is limited for this opportunity, and registration is required. Coordinator Celia Rodee will contact participants with details, directions, and updates.

A few reminders —

  • The final day to register for the summer special exhibit at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum is tomorrow, July 27. Members were emailed the prospectus and registration link earlier this week.
  • The last day to submit announcements, images, and articles for the Autumn Quarterly is this Saturday, August 1. Instructions were recently emailed to Guild members.
  • The Nature Artists’ Guild will sponsor a program featuring Cynthia Hellyer Heinz on the evening of Thursday, August 6, at The Morton Arboretum. This presentation will be free and open to all, and no registration is required. Details coming soon.