Looking Back at 2024 with the Nature Artists’ Guild

Click on image for a sample of images and list of posts from 2024.

2024 was filled with programs and paint-outs, exhibits and demonstrations, gatherings and artwork, and friendship and fun for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.

The Guild is hoping to welcome back all of its current members, as well as new ones, for even more in 2025. (Memberships are for the calendar year, so joining or renewing by January 1 ensures receiving all the benefits for the year.)

Please enjoy this small sample of images from 2024 (or scroll through the website or visit the Member Artwork pages for many more).

This Week for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Yellowstone Tree Root, copyright Jeffrey Zawada will be included in the Nature Artists’ Guild’s January 2025 Exhibit at the Downers Grove Library.

December sneaked in so quickly this year that it’s hard to believe the time is here for Nature Artists’ Guild members to –

Register for the exhibit at the Downers Grove Library by December 4. The library has a long history of featuring artwork and has an impressive permanent collection by local and internationally renowned artists. The Nature Artists’ Guild has been honored for decades to be featured in their annual January exhibit, and will continue the tradition in 2025.

Register for the Holiday Card Exchange by December 5. Just a few years ago, the Guild began coordinating informal exchanges of handmade holiday cards between members. This popular event is now an annual tradition! Members were emailed all the details in November, and for those participants who would like to use them, blank multi-media cards will be available at the December 5 party.

Attend the annual Holiday Party on the evening of December 5. The Holiday Party is a year-end celebration that gives Guild members an opportunity to enjoy a meal and spend time with fellow artists in the lovely Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. A fun raffle of donated nature and art-related items will be held (cash only for raffle tickets). Each member is invited to bring a guest, and there is no registration required. Nature Artists’ Guild members received an invitation by email in November with details.

Year-End Flurry for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Ermine, copyright Nancy Thyfault

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, even those in warm and sunny climes, can look forward to a flurry (of activity) to close out 2024!

  • The Guild’s 2025 Downers Grove Library exhibit won’t open until January, but members must register by December 4, 2024, and drop off their work on December 14 to be included. This exhibit will feature work previously shown at The Morton Arboretum (titling, matting, framing, and labels are already done!) as well as some new pieces, bringing the beauty of nature art to a new audience.
  • By popular demand, the Guild’s Holiday Card Exchange has returned for 2024. Participating Guild members will be asked to create an original holiday card to mail to another member (whose name they will be given in secret). Participants can sign up for the exchange here by December 5 or contact coordinator Celia Rodee for more information. Details were also emailed to all members earlier this month.
  • Guild members are invited to attend the Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual Holiday Party on the evening of December 5, 2024 at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Details about this fun and festive event were emailed to members earlier this month. No registration is required.
  • Winter issues of the Nature Artists’ Quarterly will be mailed soon. Members can look forward to receiving their copy, full of news and artwork by and for fellow nature artists, on or around December 1.
  • All artists, even those not currently members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, are invited to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum to chat or sketch at a Coffee and Art gathering any Wednesday morning between 9 and 11, weather permitting and holidays excepted. (Arboretum membership or a gate fee will be required.)
  • The Nature Artists’ Guild is looking for committee volunteers for 2025. Members can check here for current volunteer openings.

More Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit Artwork

Swamp White Oak (II), copyright Catherine L. Fey. Click on the image above for the recent additions.

Everyone is encouraged to take a few minutes to enjoy the latest images of Nature Artists’ Guild members’ artwork included in the 2024 Autumn Exhibit and special exhibit, Trees, at The Morton Arboretum earlier this month. (Click on the above image for recent additions, or scroll down or click on one of the highlighted links above for all images shared by participating artists.)

The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to sincerely thank The Morton Arboretum, participating artists, visitors and guests, and all of the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of these exhibits. (Click on any image to see the full version or to open a gallery of images to scroll through.)

Final Day for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum

Lead the Way, copyright Beth Berry

What a gorgeous day to visit The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL to take in the crisp autumn air as well as the sights, scents, and sounds of the season! After experiencing the colors and compositions supplied by nature, today’s Arboretum visitors can also enjoy those shared by 65 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Visitors can take a short stroll down the path of the Grand Garden to the Cudahy Room (located adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library in the Administration Building) to experience more than 250 works of art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, demonstrations by members, and spectacular raffle baskets (some including original artwork). There is no extra charge for Arboretum visitors to attend the exhibit.

The Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit and special display of small works, Trees, will be open to all Arboretum visitors, at no extra charge, until 4 pm today, November 10, 2024. (Additional artwork images coming soon, but when possible, artwork is best viewed in person!)

2024 Autumn Exhibit Featured Artist Dale Olsen. Click on image for more about Dale.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Exhibits This Weekend, November 8-10, 2024 at The Morton Arboretum

Final preparations are being made for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit and special exhibit, Trees, being held at The Morton Arboretum this weekend, November 8 – 10, 2024.

65 participating members of the Guild will be dropping off approximately 250 works of nature art at the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum on the evening of Wednesday, November 6 between 6 and 7:30 pm. (Artists can find all the details by clicking on the following links.)

A reception on the evening of Friday, November 8 will be open to all, free of charge. There will be no Arboretum gate fee that evening for anyone attending the reception, and no ticket or registration is required. Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the reception to be admitted and directed to free parking.

At the Friday evening reception, Kumie Kim will share techniques for creating gorgeous botanical watercolor paintings. Visitors are invited to stop by and chat with her, as well as with the exhibit’s Featured Artist, Dale Olsen. Sets of blank greeting cards created with members’ artwork and raffle tickets for fabulous themed gift baskets will be available for purchase (cash only).

The 2024 Autumn Exhibit, the small works display, Trees, raffle ticket sales, and artist demonstrations will continue until the afternoon of Sunday, November 10. Participants can pick up their artwork between 4:15 and 4:45 pm on Sunday.

Artists Creating Art, November 8 through 10, 2024 at The Morton Arboretum

Five talented artists will share some of their inspirations, tools, and techniques with visitors at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Art Exhibit.





Visitors can stop by and talk with the demonstrating artists, get an up-close view of their artwork, and learn more about their methods and materials. They will also be able to enjoy more than 250 works of art created by 65 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, including those of Autumn 2024 Featured Artist Dale Olsen.

The demonstrations will take place in the lobby of the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum (seating will be available), adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library and the Cudahy Room (where the main exhibit will be held). Parking is available at the Administration Building or the Visitor Center, just a short and lovely stroll away.

A Preview of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum

Bounce, copyright Deana Bada Maloney, will be one of approximately 250 works exhibited at The Morton Arboretum by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Following is a sample of artwork to be included in the 2024 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit on November 8, 9 and 10, 2024 in the Cudahy Room at The Morton Arboretum. Approximately 250 works of art by 65 Nature Artists’ Guild members will be displayed for the enjoyment of all visitors.

Many more images to come after the exhibit! (Click on any image to see the full version or to open a gallery of images to scroll through.)

Trees by the Nature Artists’ Guild

Click on the above image for a sample of artwork for the upcoming exhibit, Trees.

Following is a sample from the 54 small works created by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild for the 2024 special exhibit, Trees, honoring The Morton Arboretum.

These 8 x 8-inch works of art will be displayed at The Morton Arboretum from November 8 through 10, 2024 along with more than 200 pieces of nature art of the Guild’s annual Autumn Art Exhibit.

Please click on any image to open a gallery of larger versions to scroll through.