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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.