If you’ve attended Botanical Art classes at the The Morton Arboretum, you’ve probably had the chance to see some of the rare prints and original artwork from the impressive collection held by The Sterling Morton Library.
The Nature Artists’ Guild recently made a donation to the arboretum to show our gratitude and to help contribute to their mission. Our donation late last year was used by the library to purchase some contemporary artwork to add to their collection. As Arlene Widrevitz, of the Rare Print Collection writes,
“The newest acquisitions in the Print Collection of The Sterling Morton Library were purchased with funds donated by The Nature Artists’ Guild.
Winter Portrait: Asclepias syriaca by Karen Johnson is an example of scratchboard art. The scratchboard technique is normally associated with the use of ink, but here, Karen has created a black and white image with graphite. This original piece features dried milkweed pods with the seeds escaping against a prairie background.
Sacred Union by Kimberly Mullarkey is an example of her delicate colored pencil work on a black background. The image is an imaginative combination of an insect with one wing outspread superimposed over the human skeleton.
Amanita muscaria and Russula Bouquet II by Alexander “Sasha” Viazmensky represent his work in watercolor. Sasha specializes in portraying the mushrooms that he finds in the woods near his home in St. Petersburg, Russia. Sasha recently taught a class in mushroom painting here at the Arboretum, which was very popular with his students and everyone who was able to see his work and that of his class. Amanita muscaria is an original in watercolor and Russula Bouquet II is a print of his watercolor work.
These works will be available for viewing in classes that feature these techniques. Also, anyone can make an appointment to view these artworks or any others here in the library. We do enjoy showing off our collections!”
The Nature Artists’ Guild calendar is already full of exciting exhibits, programs, workshops and paint-outs for next year. Please click on the “Important Dates” tab above to see the updated list. As there are a number of dates “to be announced” and details to be added, remember to check back often for updates!
As busy as you may be at this time of the year, there are just a few more Nature Artists’ Guild events you may still want to work into your schedule –
Share a cup of good cheer, and support your fellow artists at the Canterbury Shoppe Nature Artists’ Guild gallery for a “Meet the Artist” open house between 1 and 4 on Saturday, December 11, or at one of the artist demonstrations in December (see schedule here).
Don’t forget about the deadline for mailing your prospectus for the Downer’s Grove Library exhibit on December 17! It’s a nice venue for displaying your artwork. Please contact Paulette if you have misplaced the prospectus that was e-mailed last month.
Save the date of January 15th for our popular annual Jurica paint-out. More details to come!
Jill, Paulette, and Fran, after much deliberation and re-arranging, have put together a lovely display of the work of the artists participating in the Canterbury Shoppe Winter Exhibit. Over 40 pieces of outstanding artwork were hung, and numerous plates, boxes, tiles, pendants, cards and ornaments were carefully arranged in our gift section. Canterbury Shoppe owner Pamela Patton and her staff were helpful and gracious as always, even in the face of our barrage of requests for scissors, ladders, tacks, and picture hangers!
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The Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit area at the Canterbury Shoppe seems ideal for our artwork. The open area with bamboo floors, high ceilings, cream-colored walls, track-lighting, and even some exposed brick walls all contribute to the “gallery” effect and the location is excellent!
If you happen to be in the Naperville area doing some holiday shopping, be sure to stop in, or even better, stop by our “Meet the Artist” open-house on Saturday, December 11 any time between 1 and 4, or stop by one of our artist demonstrations in December (schedule below). You may find some unique holiday gifts or be inspired to participate in the upcoming Spring Exhibit! The Canterbury Shoppe is located at 43 East Jefferson Avenue in Naperville, IL.
Schedule
Denise Fisk – Saturday, December 4, 12 to 2 pm, Acrylic
Artists’ Reception Open House, Saturday, December 11, 1 to 4 pm
Karen Wahlers, Sunday, December 12, 12 to 2 pm, China Painting
Don Castro, Wednesday, December 15, 1 to 3 pm, Pen and Ink
Denise Fisk – Saturday, December 18, 12 to 2 pm, Acrylic and Oil
Bob Sunyog, Sunday, December 19, 12 to 2 pm, Wood Burning Art
Congratulations to all of the Nature Artists’ Guild members who planned, worked at, demonstrated in, contributed to and participated in the 2010 Holiday Exhibit! The show was a resounding success, with excellent attendance (in spite of the weather and the Bears game on Sunday!) Over two hundred visitors attended Friday evening’s Artists’ Reception and the show brought in about seven hundred visitors over the course of the weekend, including the press (click here for story)!
The record number of show participants really contributed to creating an outstanding show, and numerous compliments were received from visitors on the beautiful artwork and the quality of the show presentation. Our Artisan Shop had a great selection of quality hand-made merchandise, and sales were brisk!
Special thanks are extended to the exhibit Co-Chairs, Laverne Bohlin and Sharon Malec, our featured artist Susan Vogel, demonstrators Maggie Mardis, Bob Sunyog, Mary Ann Jimenez, Charlotte Doyle Leavitt and Linn Eldred, Publications Chair Evelyn Grala, Artisan Shop Chair Nancy Thyfault, and Evalyn Holy for presenting us with all the delicious food on Friday evening.
Things will have quieted down from the holidays, and it may be tempting to stay inside a while by the fire in your robe and slippers. You probably already have artwork framed and ready from the NAG holiday show, though, so consider making it one of your New Year’s Resolutions to show your work more often and then get your boots on and head over to the Downers Grove Library!
The Downers Grove Library hasan exceptional gallery space that nicely highlights your artwork, and the Nature Artists’ Guild is known for their beautiful annual exhibit there! It really is worth the effort to participate.
Artwork drop-off is on Saturday, January 8 from 10- to 11 am, and the pick-up is Saturday, February 5 from 10 to 11 am. Our Special Events Coordinator, Paula, has e-mailed or mailed your prospectus (which must be returned to her postmarked by December 17, 2010) and also reminds us that renewal dues must be paid by December 31, 2010 to be eligible for the exhibit. Please contact Paula for any questions.
Please take a moment to invite your friends and family to the 2010 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, November 12th through 14th. All the artists, as well as the coordinators of the show, have worked hard to ensure that this exhibition continues to meet the high standards everyone has come to expect from our group. We always have excellent attendance, but with the record number of artists exhibiting this time, we’d also love to have a record turnout!
The below link, which you can copy and paste onto an e-mail, leads directly to the article about the show or you can click on one of the “Share” buttons at the end of that article and follow the instructions that appear.
Our Outside Exhibition Chair, Paulette McDermott announces the following exciting news!
The Nature Artists Guild of the Morton Arboretum gallery at the Canterbury Shoppe
We have been given a wonderful opportunity for our members to exhibit and sell their work at the Canterbury Shoppe in Naperville. The exhibits are rotated on a seasonal basis. The first exhibit, Autumn, is up right now through November. The Winter exhibit, which is open to all of our members, will open December 1st. We will also have a “Meet the Artist” reception for each rotation.
Remember to get your prospectus for the Winter Exhibit to Paulette McDermott postmarked by November 19, 2010.
If you are looking for an interesting way to spend a beautiful Autumn Sunday, please join us for an afternoon tea and bring your friends and family
“Meet the Artist” Tea to celebrate the Autumn Exhibit
Canterbury Shoppe
43 E. Jefferson
Naperville, IL
Sunday, November 7
2 pm – 5 pm
Note: Members should have received their prospectus and exhibition details by mail or e-mail on October 16, and revisions on October 28. If you cannot locate your copy or have any questions, please contact Paulette.
The Guild’s 2010 Holiday Exhibition is only a month away! The Artists’ Reception – open to Guild and Arboretum members and their guests – is Friday, November 12 from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. The Exhibition is open to the public November 13-14, from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Over fifty Guild members have submitted 175 pieces of artwork, making this one of our larger exhibitions.
Throughout the weekend, Guild members will be demonstrating various media and techniques, including watercolor, colored pencil, and carbon dust.
The Artisan Shop will be selling artist-made art and craft items, including holiday decorations and ornaments. We also will sell raffle tickets for three Winsor Newton portable watercolor sets, a Gamblin oil paint set, a Golden $50 gift certificate, and a framed digital nature print. Also available for purchase will be the Guild’s 2011 Calendar, featuring the work of Guild artists. All proceeds go to support Guild programs and activities.
Admission to the show is free; however, non-Arboretum members must still pay admission to the Arboretum.
Nature Artists' Guild 