Category: 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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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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.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2019 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art

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All are invited to the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2019 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibition of Natural History Art at The Morton Arboretum on Saturday, November 9, 2019, and Sunday, November 10, 2019.  There will also be a reception for artists, their guests, and members of The Morton Arboretum on the evening of Friday, November 8, 2019.  The exhibit will showcase nearly 200 wonderful pieces of nature art by Featured Artist Jane Kellenberger and approximately 50 other members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Poster art copyright Jane Kellenberger. Poster design by Evelyn Grala.

The Danada Nature Art Show Celebrates 45 Years

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There is still time for nature artists in the Chicagoland area to participate in the 45th Annual Danada Nature Art Show.  This exhibit, which showcases artwork by local artists, will be attended by nearly two thousand visitors over the course of the Fall Festival at Danada weekend, October 11 through 13, 2019.

Artwork must be dropped off and entry forms will be available at Danada House at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton, IL on October 7 or October 8, 2019 between 3 and 8 pm. 

Artwork in this exhibit must adhere strictly to a nature theme with no indication of human influence.  Awards and ribbons will be given in numerous categories.  Further details about the show can be obtained by contacting Friends of Danada at info@danadahouse.com or calling one of the numbers listed on their website.

Danada House entrance. Photo credit http://www.danadahouse.com.

Autumn 2019 Exhibit’s Featured Artist, Jane Kellenberger

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The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to announce that its 2019 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit’s Featured Artist is Jane Kellenberger.  Please read more about Jane and enjoy some of her artwork on the Featured Artist page of this website.

The 2019 Holiday (Autumn) Exhibit of Natural History Art will take place on the weekend of November 9 and 10, 2019 at The Morton Arboretum,with a reception on the evening of November 8, 2019 for guests of the artists and Arboretum members.  More than 50 Nature Artists’ Guild members will be participating in this exhibit of nearly 200 pieces of nature art.

More details (and the exhibit poster) coming soon!

More, copyright Jane Kellenberger

Creativity, Learning, and Fun on September 5, 2019

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Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to attend a fun and educational gathering on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7 pm.  Participants will be exploring techniques for working on wood to create unique hand-made objects for fundraising at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s Holiday (Autumn) Exhibition of Natural History Art on November 9 and 10, 2019.

Fellow artists will be sharing their skills in nature printing, collage, colored pencil, pen and ink, painting, staining and much more.  Some supplies will be available, but artists are also encouraged to bring a few of their own. Wood will be provided.

All proceeds from the fundraising will be used to support the Nature Artists’ Guild.  This event is for members only, and will meet at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Photo credit Nature Artists’ Guild Fundraising Committee

Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival July 6-7, 2019

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It is now officially summer, and the Chicagoland art fair season is in full swing!  For anyone interested in nature art, the Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival is probably near the top of the list of places to visit.  Admission is free to the Garden and Festival (although there may be a fee for parking, depending on membership status) which features the work of 90 artists and takes place along the picturesque Esplanade. For more information, please click on these links to the websites of the Chicago Botanic Garden and Amdur Productions.

Image credit Amdur Productions.