Exhibitions – Page 4 – Nature Artists' Guild

Safe Journey, Juncos, and Come Back, Kinglets!

Published on March 10, 2025March 10, 2025 by DeniseLeave a comment

Golden-crowned Kinglet, watercolor, copyright Vicki Liszewski, Spring 2025 Featured Artist

And here it is! Chicagoland residents don’t need a calendar to know when spring has arrived. Almost overnight, the woods are filled with movement and sound, and green shoots begin to appear everywhere. Later this month, tiny, flitting Golden–crowned Kinglets will be spotted along wooded trails, seeming to cheerfully accompany humans on their walks.

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s contribution to the season will be their 2025 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum on April 4th through 6th. The exhibit will feature nearly 250 works of art by more than 65 Guild members. The Featured Artist for the 2025 Spring Exhibit will be Vicki Liszewski, whose joyful watercolors and pastels have been favorites of exhibit visitors for years (click here for more about Vicki and samples of her work).

The Guild will also be celebrating spring with a paint-out at the Arboretum’s beloved Daffodil Glade in April and the beginning of this year’s small-works project honoring the Arboretum, Flora. (More to come soon about these events.)

Spring Marches In with a Program, Paint-Out, and Exhibit

Published on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by DeniseLeave a comment

Click on image and right click to download and share.

So much to keep Nature Artists’ Guild members busy while awaiting the wonders of spring!

Joel Sheesley will share “conceptual and practical steps” in landscape painting on March 6, from 7 to 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. The program will be open to all, free of charge, with no registration required. (Posters and postcards for the Guild’s Spring 2025 Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum will also be available for attendees to take home and share with friends, family, and local businesses.)

A paint-out at the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum will take place on the morning of March 6, beginning at 9:30. Coffee and Celia’s homemade muffins will prepare artists for a lovely morning of sketching and painting. Drop-ins are welcome, but registration ensures being contacted with updates.

The final day for Nature Artists’ Guild members to register for the 2025 Spring Exhibit is only one week from today. Members will need to register online or by mail by Saturday, March 8, 2025 to be eligible to participate. Last year’s Spring Exhibit attracted more than 1300 visitors!

The Nature Artists’ Guild is Thinking of Spring

Published on February 15, 2025February 16, 2025 by DeniseLeave a comment

Poster artwork by Featured Artist Vicki Liszewski. Poster design by Jane Kellenberger.

The 2025 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, featuring artwork by approximately 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, is coming soon! More than 1000 visitors are expected to view the 200 or more works of nature art between April 4 and April 6, 2025.

All current Guild members were emailed a prospectus and a link for online registration on February 1, and the final day to register, either online or by mail, is March 8, 2025. New members who join the Nature Artists’ Guild by March 8 will also receive a prospectus and be eligible to register. Much more about the exhibition and Featured Artist Vicki Liszewski, as well as samples of exhibit artwork, will be coming soon.

In other news for the Nature Artists’ Guild –

A visit to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum for a paint-out is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, March 6, 2025. Participants can choose from thousands of specimens to sketch, paint, or photograph while enjoying hot coffee and homemade muffins by Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee. Guild members can register for the paint-out here.

The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to announce that the speaker for the March 6, 2025 evening presentation at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will be Joel Sheesley. This program, sponsored by the Guild, will be open to all, free of charge, and no registration is required to attend. More about Joel and his work coming soon.

2025 Spring Exhibit posters and postcards will be available for attendees at the March 6 evening program. Everyone is also encouraged to share the online version of the poster with their friends and family! (Open and right-click on image for options.)

Copies of the Spring 2025 Nature Artists’ Quarterly (a members-only publication) will be arriving in mailboxes by the first week of March. The Quarterly includes news, artwork, and articles contributed by members of the Guild, all artfully presented by Publications Chair Jane Kellenberger.

The Nature Artists’ Guild still needs volunteers to assist with some of the duties of the Social Committee. Most involve a minimum time commitment and are a much-appreciated way to help the Guild. (A volunteer to help with refreshments at the March 6 meeting is needed as soon as possible.)

This year’s theme for the Guild’s annual display of small works honoring The Morton Arboretum in November (alongside the annual Autumn Exhibit) will be “Flora.” The special project involves members exhibiting up to three unframed 8 x 8-inch works of art created at or inspired by the Arboretum. More details and a registration form to come soon.

As always, Guild members and visitors are welcome to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum any Wednesday morning (weather permitting) to enjoy time with fellow artists at a Coffee and Art gathering.

Beginning 2025 with a Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit and Much More

Published on January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 by DeniseLeave a comment

Aphrodite Sweetshrub, copyright Arlene Widrevitz, will be one of many works of art celebrating nature at a special exhibit at the Downers Grove Library this January.

The year begins with a special exhibit and quickly jumps right into exciting paint-outs, programs, and other ways for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild to celebrate and share the beauty of nature throughout winter.

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual exhibit at the Downers Grove Library opens in just three days, on Tuesday, January 7 during normal library hours. Guild members’ artwork will complement the library’s permanent collection throughout library exhibit spaces for all to enjoy through February 4, 2025.

A paint-out at the Field Museum has been scheduled for January 18. Guild members will join members of the Artists at the field group in sketching some of the wonders of the natural world. Much more about this event will be emailed to Guild members soon.

On February 6, the Guild welcomes talented artist and beloved instructor Rhonda Nass for an online presentation about her experiences with scratchboard and colored pencil. Guild members will be emailed a link for attending the presentation. More details will be coming soon, including instructions for non-members to attend.

Also on February 6, Guild artists can leave the winter behind for a few hours at Orchids by Hausermann. This paint-out starts in the early hours, but the thousands of orchids and balmy conditions in the greenhouse of Hausermann’s make it worth setting the alarm. More details and a form to register online will be available soon.

It’s time to begin thinking of Spring! Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who have news, articles, or artwork for the Spring edition of the Quarterly must submit them no later than February 1, 2025. An email with instructions for submission will be sent to all members in coming weeks.

The theme for the Guild’s annual 8 x 8 project, in which members create small works of art honoring The Morton Arboretum, will be announced soon for those who want to get an early start! The artwork will be exhibited alongside the Guild’s annual Autumn Exhibit at the Arboretum in November.

Click here for information about new memberships or renewals for 2025

Looking Back at 2024 with the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on December 30, 2024May 31, 2025 by DeniseLeave a comment

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).

Downers Grove Library exhibit 2024
Diamonds of Winter detail, Dale Olsen
Field Museum paint-out
Field Museum paint-out
Claudia Lane presentation
Orchids by Hausermann paint-out
Great Horned Owl, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
Spring Exhibit poster 2024
Rachel Davis presentation
Jurica-Suchy Museum paint-out
Goldfinch, copyright Lindsay Sandbothe
Rachel Davis presentation
Spring exhibit demo
Spring exhibit demo
Spring exhibit demo
Spring exhibit demo
Spring exhibit demo
Jewels of Spring, copyright Beth Berry
Wild Bergamot, copyright Lisa Kanellos
Spring 2024 Artists’ Card Collection
Daffodil Glade, copyright Yvonne Buckley
Lilacia Park paint-out
Aurora Public Art exhibit postcard
Lilacia Park paint-out
Cicada pendant detail, copyright Karen A Johnson
Ink demonstration, Nancy Wu
Glazing demonstration by Dale Olsen
Aurora Public Art exhibit
Private Garden paint-out
Anderson Japanese Gardens paint-out
Nature Journal Pages class by Sandra Wilcoxon
Grand Garden paint-out
Wine and Art Walk
Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum poster
Cantigny paint-out
Presentation by Don Widmer
Presentation by Don Widmer
Autumn events montage
Morning Light 3, copyright Dale Olsen
Trees exhibit
Trees at Sunset, copyright Marlene Vitek
Three Fall Maples, copyright Maggie Capettini
Autumn Exhibit demonstration
Autumn Exhibit demonstration
Autumn Exhibit demonstration
Autumn Exhibit demonstration
Autumn Exhibit demonstration
Yellowstone Tree Root detail, copyright Jeffrey Zawada
Card Exchange
2024 Holiday Card, copyright Suzanne Wegener
2024 Holiday Card, copyright Celia Rodee

This Week for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on December 1, 2024December 1, 2024 by DeniseLeave a comment

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

Published on November 23, 2024December 1, 2024 by DeniseLeave a comment

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.

The Nature Artists’ Guild is now accepting renewals and new memberships for 2025. Memberships are for the calendar year, so renewing or joining before the beginning of the year will ensure members receive all the benefits for 2025.

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

Published on November 18, 2024November 21, 2024 by Denise1 Comment

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.)

Blackwell Wildflowers, copyright Maggie Capettini

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

Published on November 10, 2024November 10, 2024 by DeniseLeave a comment

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

Published on November 4, 2024December 1, 2024 by Denise1 Comment

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.)

2024 Autumn Exhibit Prospectus

General Exhibit Guidelines

Trees 2024 prospectus

Trees 2024 Specific Guidelines

Artwork Labels

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.