Category: Exhibitions

Come Visit the Nature Artists’ Guild Winter Exhibit at the Canterbury Shoppe!

Published on by Denise1 Comment

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 on a Successful Holiday Exhibit!

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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.  

 From Friday evening’s Artists’ Reception  –

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Downers Grove Library Exhibit

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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 has an 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.

Invite your Friends and Family!

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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.

https://natureartistsguild.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/2010-annual-holiday-exhibition/

Exciting New Gallery Opportunity for Members

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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.

2010 Holiday Exhibition Coming Soon!

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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.

Our 2010 Holiday Exhibition Featured Artist

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Our new blog header features the artwork of Susan Vogel, the featured artist for the Guild’s 2010 Holiday Exhibition at Thornhill Auditorium.

The Exhibition, showcasing the artwork of over fifty Guild members, opens Friday, November 12 with a reception from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for Arboretum members, Guild members and their guests. The exhibition is open to the public  November 13-14 from Noon to 5:00 p.m.

There is no admission fee for the exhibition; however, non-Arboretum members will need to pay admission to the Arboretum.

About Susan: Following is an article that Susan wrote for the Fall issue of The Nature Artists’ Quarterly:

I grew up in Lisle, IL. I have fond memories of past winters including ice skating on Lake Marmo in the Morton Arboretum and walks through that  snowy wonderland. I was constantly aware of nature. Wild plants and animals were everywhere when I went on outings with my family. When I came home, I would sit by my desk and make pencil drawings of some of the sights I experienced. My mother was an artist and I loved her work. It inspired me. I wanted to be just like her.

It was the comic books and movies by Walt Disney that were my next inspiration. “Bambi” and “Alice in Wonderland were my favorites. I guess I was an ambitious little kid because at the age of eleven I sent Walt Disney a letter and some of my drawings and asked him for a job. Someone very kind answered my letter and suggested that I go to college first.

Art classes weren’t offered at my schools when I was growing up. So when I was of high school age, I rode the train each summer to attend art classes at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange. Later, I attended Northern Illinois University, majoring in art.

Then along came marriage and children with no time for artwork. After a gap of 30+ years, I started classes at College of Dupage, as a beginning art student once more. Their catalog offered botanical art classes at The Morton Arboretum. I love the classes here at the Arboretum, with teachers who actually teach techniques and students who are helpful and supportive. I got my Botanical Art Certificate and when the Master program was offered; I was the first to receive the Botanical Art and Illustration Master’s Studio Certificate.

I prefer working with live specimens of fauna and flora in front of me., but sometimes a photograph has more advantages. I always carry my little digital camera with me and take snapshots of moving subjects, like birds, bugs and other animals.  Originally, I was strictly a botanical artist but I’m branching out in different directions. Maybe I’ll try painting birds. After all, my last name “Vogel” means bird in German.

I joined the Nature Artists’ Guild (NAG) in 2001 and have met many wonderful artists who inspire and challenge my abilities. Thank you all for your support and believing in me.

Prospectus Deadline October 1st!

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Don’t forget that your prospectus for the Holiday Exhibition of the Nature Artists’ Guild must be postmarked by this Friday, October 1st, 2010!    You should have received the prospectus by mail or e-mail in August.  If you have misplaced it, please contact either of the exhibit co-chairs, Sharon Malec or Laverne Bohlin. 

If you are a newer member, whether an experienced artist or beginner and have never exhibited with NAG, please don’t hesitate to exhibit in the holiday show!  You’ll find that your fellow guild members are friendly, supportive and non-competitive, and the experience will be rewarding.

Great new exhibit opportunity for members

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 Our president, Jill Adzia, and Outside Exhibits Coordinator, Paulette McDermott have outdone themselves in arranging a fantastic new opportunity for Nature Artists’ Guild members to display their artwork!

The Canterbury Shoppe, at 43 W. Jefferson Street in Naperville, has offered exclusive space in their shop for an ongoing exhibit of Nature Artists’ Guild artwork. The work displayed will be rotated every three months to reflect the seasons, and final decisions on all entries will be made by the shop owner. Original artwork must be matted and framed, and giclee prints, notecards, postcards and tiles are also welcome.

 The winter-themed show, open to all NAG members, opens December 1, and details will be forthcoming.

The autumn-themed “trial run” show opens Thursday evening, September 23rd, and includes a demonstration by Laverne Bohlin at 7 pm. The show runs through November 31.

Please check your e-mail or contact Paulette for more details.