Category: Exhibitions

Trees by the Nature Artists’ Guild

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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.

Ooze, copyright Catherine L. Fey
White Poplar, copyright Nicolette Metz
Ginkgo Leaves, copyright Joanne May
Japanese Maple Leaves, copyright Joanne May
Beech Tree, copyright Carol Cooley
Tree Afar, copyright Carol Cooley
Tree Trunk with Ivy, copyright Marlene Vitek
Trees at Sunset, copyright Marlene Vitek
Awakened By Sun, copyright Shuli Wang
Pathway Of Green, copyright Shuli Wang
Lead the Way, copyright Beth Berry
Like a Secret, copyright Beth Berry
Tree Reflections, copyright Marge Hall
Tree Shadows, copyright Marge Hall
Follow Your Path, copyright Gail Stocchero
Look Up, copyright Gail Stocchero

Nature Artists’ Guild’s Autumn 2024 Featured Artist Dale Olsen

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Crabapple Lake, copyright Dale Olsen

The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to share a sample of wonderful artwork and some words about the influences and inspirations of Featured Artist of the 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum, Dale Olsen.

In addition to numerous original pieces by Featured Artist Dale Olsen, the 2024 Autumn Art Exhibit and corresponding special exhibit of small works, Trees, will showcase approximately 250 works of art by 65 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

The 2024 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit and Trees, will be open to all visitors to The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, free of charge (Arboretum membership or entrance fees will still apply) from Friday, November 8 through Sunday, November 10.

Images of a sample of exhibit artwork by other members of the Guild and much more coming soon!

Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit Registration Ends Tomorrow

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Morning Light 3, copyright Dale Olsen. More about Dale, the Featured Artist of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum will be coming soon.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have until tomorrow, October 7, 2024 to register for the 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum and the special exhibit of small works, “Trees”.

Numerous works by Featured Artist Dale Olsen, as well as more than 200 pieces by approximately 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will exhibited in the Cudahy Room, adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library in the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum, November 8 through 10, 2024.

In addition to the Guild’s annual Autumn Art Exhibit, a collection of small works honoring the Arboretum will be on display the same weekend. “Trees“ will feature 8 by 8-inch pieces in a variety of media by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild

Nature Artists’ Guild members can register to participate in either (or both) exhibits online or by mail by Monday, October 7, 2024.

2024 Autumn Exhibit Registration
“trees” special exhibit registration

Much more about both exhibits, including artwork previews, a Featured Artist page, and the schedule of artist demonstrations, coming soon!

The Latest for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have so much to do this Autumn! Here is a quick reminder about some upcoming events and deadlines –

  • On Wednesday, October 2, members of the Guild will meet at the gardens of Cantigny Park for the last paint-out of the season from 9:30 until noon. Registration is recommended, but drop-ins are also welcome.
  • All are invited to the October 3, 2024 presentation sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild at The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm. Artist Don Widmer will be sharing some of his techniques for creating textural art using paper pulp. There will be no charge to attend this presentation.
  • Guild members who would like to contribute to the gift baskets to be raffled at the upcoming 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum can drop off items at the October 3 meeting. An email was recently sent to members with all the details.
  • Nature Artists’ Guild members who are interested in learning more about next year’s open volunteer positions can speak with current volunteers at the October 3rd meeting after the presentation is over (the attendant at the welcome table can steer members to the appropriate person to answer their questions).
  • Also coming soon – artwork by the 2024 Autumn Exhibit Featured Artist, Dale Olsen, as well as many more of the exhibitors. Details for contributing images will be emailed to all exhibiting artists soon.

A Busy Season for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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2024 Nature Artists’ Guild’s Autumn Exhibit Poster. Poster artwork by Dale Olsen, poster design by Jane Kellenberger. Copies of the exhibit poster and postcard will be available at the October 3 meeting of the Nature Artists’ Guild at the Thornhill Education Center.

What a busy season for the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum!

  • The Guild paint-out at the lovely gardens of Cantigny Park will be the last of the year. Members can register in advance to be placed on an email list for updates, or just drop-in on the morning of October 2, 2024 after 9:30. More about this paint-out coming soon.
  • The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to announce that the speaker for the October 3, 2024 meeting will be paper artist Don Widmer. The meeting will be open to all, free of charge, at 7 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. More to come about Don and his work.
  • Guild members and guests are always welcome to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum (near the cafe) to chat, sketch, or just enjoy a quiet morning with fellow artists any Wednesday between 9 and 11 at a Coffee and Art gathering.
  • Finally, the Nature Artists’ Guild is looking for a few volunteers for positions opening soon. The Social Committee will need a new chairperson for next year, as well as assistance this year in planning and managing the annual holiday party. The Outside Exhibits Committee will also need two new co-chairpersons, who would begin late this year by helping to plan the January 2025 exhibit at the Downers Grove Library, and continue throughout next year. Volunteers for either position will work alongside current committee members until comfortable working independently. For more information, click on the links above for position descriptions or click here to have a board member contact you.

Meteorological Autumn 2024 for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Autumn, Sterling Pond, copyright Dale Olsen. Dale will be the Featured Artist for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.

Today’s beginning of meteorological autumn brings more than just a new tongue-twisting term for the Nature Artists’ Guild. It also brings opportunities for creating, exhibiting, and sharing artwork that celebrates the season. Here are a few coming up –

  • The prospectus for the 2024 Autumn Exhibit of Nature Art at The Morton Arboretum will be emailed to all Guild members within the next few days. (There is still time to join the Nature Artists’ Guild and receive a prospectus!) Much more about the exhibit coming soon.
  • The Autumn Quarterly, featuring artwork, photos, and news about and by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be arriving in members’ mailboxes soon, just in time to enjoy along with a favorite beverage and some wonderful weather.
  • The final paint-outs of the year are in September and October. A paint-out at the Grand Garden of The Morton Arboretum is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, September 5, 2024. Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to drop by and even bring a friend or two to this paint-out (applicable Arboretum entrance fees will apply). Registration is recommended, but not required. (October’s paint-out will take place at the always-lovely gardens of Cantigny Park – more details in coming weeks.)

Reminders for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Detail of Summer Daydream, fiber art, copyright Patty Koenigsaecker

Some reminders for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum as August 2024 begins –

  • Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild who would like to share articles or images of their autumn-inspired artwork in the members-only publication, the Quarterly, should forward them to Jane Kellenberger by August 1, 2024. Guild members recently received an email with details and an email address for submitting.

Nature Journaling Workshop July 13, 2024

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Detail of nature journal pages, copyright Sandra Wilcoxon

In conjunction with the Nature Artists’ Guild’s special exhibit, Art Inspired by Earth, the Aurora Public Art Commission will be sponsoring a free workshop on Nature Journaling on July 13, 2024.

The 90-minute workshop, led by Guild member Sandra Wilcoxon, will be open to all, but attendance will be limited to fifteen participants (more details and registration form here). All supplies will be provided. The workshop will be held at the Aurora Public Art gallery on July 13, 2024 (the final day of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s exhibit) from 2 to 3:30 pm.

Reminder to exhibitors – Artwork pick-up will be on July 13 from 4 to 5:30 pm at the Aurora Public Art Commission gallery.

Is It Now a Tradition? 2024 Celebrates Trees

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Detail of Three Trees on a Trail, copyright Beth Berry. Cropped to illustrate square format. Original version here.

A few years ago, the Nature Artists’ Guild announced a new project for its members. In the first year, the project consisted of a special display of members’ artwork, all in a 8 by 8 inch format, celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Morton Arboretum’s Schulenberg Prairie. Last year, using the same format, participating artists depicted scenes from Joy Morton’s original visions for his “museum of trees.”

In 2024, the third year of these projects honoring The Morton Arboretum, the theme is simply and fittingly,“Trees”. Entire forests, individual specimens, leaves, branches, roots, berries, buds, bark, birds, or bugs are all suitable subjects.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to create up to three works of art in almost any medium to be exhibited in the lobby of the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum during the same hours of the Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit in November.

  • Artwork must not be framed in order to fit into the display. The final size of each piece must be exactly 8 by 8 inches and less than one half inch deep.
  • There will be no fee or volunteering requirement to participate. A simple registration will be requested before the exhibit, and drop-off and pick-up hours will be the same as those for the Autumn Exhibit.
  • This project is otherwise separate from and will not affect or depend on participation in the Autumn exhibit. (Details about the 2024 Autumn Exhibit will be shared in upcoming months.)