Exhibitions – Page 10 – Nature Artists' Guild

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at Woodridge Public Library throughout May 2023

Published on April 17, 2023April 18, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to participate in a special exhibit throughout May 2023 at the gallery of the Woodridge Public Library, a large and modern establishment serving over 500,000 visitors per year.

The special exhibit will feature artwork previously shown at The Morton Arboretum and will offer library visitors the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the creativity of the Guild’s artists.

Those members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who would like to participate can register by mail or by completing this online form by April 19. The prospectus for the exhibit was emailed on April 5.

In Other Nature Artists’ Guild News –

The 2023 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum was a resounding success, with well over one thousand visitors stopping in over the weekend to view the wonderful works of nature art. An online sample of the artwork will be coming soon. (Participating artists can still email their artwork images to Denise Fisk before April 19 to be included in the online display.)

The muffins, the daffodils, the artists, and the weather were at their best for the recent paint-out at the Arboretum’s Daffodil Glade. The scene of artists dotted across the glade among the daffodils brought some joy to plenty of Arboretum visitors driving or walking by. Some participants will be exhibiting the day’s accomplishments in this autumn’s small-works exhibit, Joy’s Vision.

A paint-out has been planned for May 4, 2023 at Lilacia Park , a “horticultural showcase that features over 700 lilacs and 35,000 tulips annually,” in Lombard, IL. The paint-out date is just before the opening of the annual Lilac Time festival, when the blooms will be at their peak. Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild can email Celia Rodee or register here to be added to the email list for details and updates.

The Wednesday morning Art and Coffee gatherings continue at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum, near the cafe, between 9 until 11:30 am. Nature Artists’ Guild members, their guests, or any artists interested in learning more about the Guild are invited to stop by to sketch, sip, chat, or watch the morning unfold in a beautiful setting. With the weather warming up, some participants may even be wandering outdoors for some plein-air work or reference sketches or photos.

Some Spring Events for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on April 10, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

(Right-click on image to share with friends and family)

The 2023 Spring Art Exhibit featuring over 200 works by more than 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild opens at The Morton Arboretum with a reception on the evening of Friday, April 14 and continues throughout the weekend.

Forecasters are predicting gorgeous weather for the Daffodil Glade paint-out on the morning of Thursday, April 13, 2023. Just as importantly, paint-out coordinator Celia Rodee is predicting that there were be plenty of Harvest and Blueberry Cornflake muffins for everyone! There is still time for Nature Artists’ Guild members to sign up for the event and receive an email with all the details.

A special exhibit has been scheduled for May 2023 at the lovely Woodridge Public Library Gallery. Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild were emailed a prospectus on April 5 with details and can register by clicking here or mailing their completed form by April 19.

The Art and Coffee gathering will not take take place on April 12, but will return on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. So much will be starting to bloom around the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum, and members and their guests are welcome to stop by between 9 and 11:30 to sketch, sip, and chat, or simply enjoy the view.

Artists Creating Art April 14 through 16, 2023

Published on April 4, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

The Nature Artists’ Guild will feature five of its members creating wonderful artwork in their own unique styles during the hours of the Spring 2023 Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

In addition to viewing over 200 pieces of nature art created by more than 50 Guild members, exhibit visitors will be able to watch, converse with, and ask questions as artists share their skills and discuss their artistic inspirations and techniques.

On Friday, April 14, from 7 to 9 pm, Cheryl Rausch will be sharing her skills in depicting the wonders of nature in digital art.

Spring Renewed, digital, copyright Cheryl Rausch

On Saturday, April 15, from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm, visitors will be able to view some of the techniques Dan Danielson uses in creating his bold watercolors.

Golden Eagle, watercolor, copyright Dan Danielson

On Saturday, April 15, from 1 to 3 pm, Joe Rizzo will be bringing alcohol inks to demonstrate their use in creating wonderfully abstract depictions of nature.

Zion II – Virgin River, alcohol ink and oil pastel, copyright Joe Rizzo

On Sunday, April 16, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Lindsay Sandbothe will share the techniques she uses when working with acrylic on canvas to create her stunning bird paintings.

Myna in Maui, acrylic on canvas, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe

On Sunday, April 16, from 1 to 3 pm, multi-talented artist Kathy Steere will be using water-soluble crayons to add beautiful brilliance to various creations.

Color media (including water-soluble crayon) on fabric, copyright Kathy Steere

Preview of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2023 Spring Art Exhibit

Published on April 1, 2023April 2, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

From birds and bees to flowers and trees, more than 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be exhibiting over 200 wonderful works of art on the weekend of April 15 and 16, 2023 at The Morton Arboretum.

Click here for more details about the exhibit. Please enjoy this preview by clicking on any image for the full version. More images will be shared here after the exhibit, but there is no better way to enjoy nature art than in person on a lovely spring day at The Morton Arboretum!

Preparations Underway for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2023 Spring Exhibit

Published on March 25, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

Snow Glories Peek, copyright Patricia Mroczka. Read more about Patricia, the 2023 Spring Art Exhibit’s Featured Artist, by clicking here.

Registrations for the 2023 Spring Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum have been completed, the volunteer schedule is almost full, and the posters and postcards are being shared.

All that is left for participating members of the Nature Artists’ Guild to do is finish their works (and take some photos), prepare them for presentation, and bring them to the Arboretum on the evening of Wednesday, April 12, 2023. (Details about preparing and dropping off artwork are in the prospectus emailed to members on February 20.)

We will also be asking the artists to contribute images of their work to share on this website in the coming weeks. Check back soon for a preview of some of the wonderful art to be exhibited by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Click here for a sample from last year’s spring exhibit.

Coming Soon for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 by Denise2 Comments

Poster art by Patricia Mroczka, poster design by Jane Kellenberger, daffodil sketch at Coffee and Art by Celia Rodee, “Daffodils” in colored pencil by Alice Wych, frame display by Colbert Custom Framing

Some reminders for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild –

Monday, March 20, 2023 is the final day to mail completed prospectuses or register online for this April’s Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum. Links for the prospectus and online registration form were emailed to members on February 20.
There are still spots available for the talk and tour at Colbert Custom Framing on Tuesday evening, March 21, 2023. Interested members can register here.
A paint-out at the Daffodil Glade at The Morton Arboretum is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, April 13, 2023. This would be a great opportunity to complete sketches or gather reference material for the Joy’s Vision exhibit of 8 x 8 inch works scheduled this autumn. Members who would like to be put on the email list for updates about the paint-out can click here.
Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and their guests are always welcome to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum for Coffee and Art any Wednesday morning after 9 am to sketch, sip, or chat. No registration is required.

Nature Artists’ Guild to Celebrate Joy’s Vision at Daffodil Glade

Published on March 12, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

Joy’s early plans for the Arboretum included Sargents Glade on the West side of the Thornhill ravine, but most guests today know this beautiful area by a different name, Daffodil Glade. Beneath widely spaced old oaks, spring rolls out a grassy carpet filled with waves of cheerful, varied daffodils. The first daffodils here were planted in 1946.

– The Morton Arboretum

Joy Morton shared some thoughts about his vision for The Morton Arboretum with his colleague Professor S.C. Sargent of the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University in 1921 –

Excerpt of document archived by the Sterling Morton Library

And again in 1924 –

The Nature Artists’ Guild is planning to honor Joy’s Vision with a exhibit this autumn of artwork created at or inspired by Daffodil Glade (originally “the Sargent Plot” or “Sargent Glade”), Joy Path, and Lake Marmo. These areas were all part of Mr. Morton’s original vision for the Arboretum, near his house in an area that he predicted would “ultimately become one of the prettiest parts of the Arboretum.”

A paint-out at Daffodil Glade has been scheduled for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild on Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 9 am until noon (rain date April 20 if required). Participants will meet near the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, enjoy some muffins, and wander off to choose a spot among the daffodils. They should bring their sketchbooks and art supplies, a portable chair, their favorite drink, and plans to enjoy a wonderful morning filled with the sights, scents, and sounds of Daffodil Glade.

Members can let Celia Rodee know they plan to attend by email or by completing this registration form. Celia will have some 8 x 8 surfaces available for members to use or bring home for later use if they plan to participate in the Joy’s Vision project.

2023 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum April 15 and 16, 2023

Published on March 8, 2023April 17, 2023 by Denise1 Comment

Poster artwork by **Featured Artist Patricia Mroczka**. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.

The 2023 Spring Art Exhibit by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at The Morton Arboretum will be open throughout the weekend of April 15 – 16, 2023. A reception for the artists and their guests will occur on the evening of Friday, April 14.

This exhibit will include over 200 pieces of nature art by more than 50 Guild members and will be open to all visitors to The Morton Arboretum.

Please click here to learn more about Featured Artist Patricia Mroczka.

We Just Can’t Wait!

Published on February 18, 2023February 21, 2023 by DeniseLeave a comment

Leaning Tulips, copyright Patricia Mroczka

It’s that time of year when we just can’t wait …

– For the 2023 Spring Art Exhibit by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild at The Morton Arboretum, so we’ve posted above, and on the header, samples of artwork by the Featured Artist, Patricia Mroczka. Patricia, along with more than 50 other members of the Guild, will be displaying over 200 works of nature art on April 14, 15, and 16, 2023. A link for the prospectus will be emailed to members early next week.

– For the spring flowers to bloom, which is why we will have some purchased ones to share and sketch at the next gathering of Coffee and Art on Wednesday morning, February 22, 2023 beginning at 9 am (weather permitting) in the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. Guild members and guests are welcome to stop by and spend a little time chatting, sketching, or enjoying the view.

UPDATE – We will have to wait for the spring flowers after all! The February 22 Art and Coffee gathering has been canceled due to the weather forecast.

– To get moving on the “Joy’s Vision” project, so Celia Rodee has announced a paint-out at Daffodil Glade at The Morton Arboretum in April, 2023, with the exact date and details to be determined (depending on the weather and bloom report.)

There is still time to renew membership or join the Nature Artists’ Guild for 2023 and receive a link to the prospectus for the Spring Art Exhibit.

Click here to read more about membership

Mr. Morton, Mr. Potter, and the Chauffeur

Published on January 10, 2023 by Denise2 Comments

The wonder we now know as The Morton Arboretum all began when “while touring by automobile in 1909, Joy Morton, his friend E.A. Potter, and their chauffeur jumped from their car to stamp out a grass fire and stumbled upon the spot that captured Joy’s vision for a home, and ultimately his legacy. ”

Beginning in 1922, Mr. Morton began to establish some of the delights of the original 175 acres of his “museum of trees.” Some of those landmarks still exist in much their original state up to 100 years later – Joy Path, Lake Marmo, and Sargents Glade (now affectionately known as Daffodil Glade.)

Details from previous works by Terrie McComb, Alice Wych, Laverne Bohlin, and Pat Mroczka, cropped to squares to simulate display of four seasons at The Morton Arboretum.

This year, the Nature Artists’ Guild will celebrate “Joy’s Vision” with artwork created throughout the year at these favored locations of Mr. Morton. Similarly to last year’s Schulenberg Prairie Project, members will be asked to create artwork at, or inspired by, Joy Path, Lake Marmo, and Daffodil Glade.

Each participating artist may contribute up to four pieces. Some may choose to do one location in all four seasons, others may complete three pieces (one from each location) and some may prefer depicting just one or two locations or seasons.
The artwork must be completed on 8 x 8 inch surfaces, which can be obtained free of charge at various paint-outs, programs, or other gatherings throughout the year. Artists can also use their own surfaces as long as they measure 8 x 8 inches and are less than 3/8 inches thick.
Paint-outs may be planned in upcoming months at these locations.
Finished pieces will be exhibited at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2023 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.
No framing or preregistration is required for participating.

Much more about this celebration of “Joy’s Vision” coming soon, but those who want to include all four seasons should take note that winter is already half over!