Category: Exhibitions

A Garden Party Paint-Out on June 23, 2024

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Garden of Anne and Charles Bouchard, Glen Ellyn, IL. Photo credit Anne and Charles Bouchard.

Update: Paint-out has been canceled due to cicada activity.

The Bouchards of Glen Ellyn have invited members of the Nature Artists’ Guild to attend a paint-out and enjoy a buffet at their home on Sunday, June 23, 2024 from noon until 3 in conjunction with a garden party reception for volunteers of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center.

This plein-air opportunity is available to the first 12 Guild members who register, and the Bouchard’s spacious and lovely gardens, originally designed by landscape architect and artist Anthony Tyznik, will be in full bloom.

Just added – An opportunity for members to create and exhibit up to three 8 x 8 inch works of art in a special display during the Guild’s annual Autumn exhibit in November. These two-dimensional works must be inspired by or created at The Morton Arboretum, and the 2024 theme will be, fittingly, “Trees”. This display of art celebrating trees or their parts or inhabitants will be in addition to the regular autumn exhibit and no entry fee or framing will be required for participating artists. More about this opportunity coming soon!

This Week at the Nature Artists’ Guild

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Background artwork by Nicki Metz, Beth Berry, Laurie Peters, Patty Koenigsaecker, Vicki Liszewski. Click on image for original postcard.

A special exhibit featuring works by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum opens this Friday at the Aurora Public Art Commission gallery in Aurora, IL.

The opening of Art Inspired by Earth on the evening of Friday, June 7, 2024 at the Aurora Public Art Commission gallery will include a reception with refreshments and live music, and coincides with the city’s popular First Friday event. All are welcome to drop by!

Everyone is also invited to the Nature Artists’ Guild’s June presentation on Thursday, June 6 from 7 to 9 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. Three members of the Guild will demonstrate the creation of art inspired by nature using media and techniques both old and new. Light refreshments and plenty of seating will be available for this free event.

Coming this June!

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Cicada, copyright Jean Black

More than just cicadas are coming to Chicagoland over the next few weeks. For members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, June also marks the arrival of –

  • One of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s most popular annual programs, featuring short demonstrations and discussions by three talented members, at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on the evening of Thursday, June 6, 2024 (open to all, free of charge). This year’s artists will share tools, tips, and techniques for creating botanical art using pen and ink, drawing with silverpoint, and using glazes when painting in oil or acrylic. Details to come soon.
  • An exciting new special exhibit at the Aurora Public Art Commission gallery. Participating Guild artists are dropping off their work this weekend, and in less than two weeks, the exhibit opens. Aurora’s First Friday event on June 7, 2024 will include a reception at the gallery for the Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit (open to all) with light refreshments and live music.
  • A paint-out, tentatively planned for late June at the lovely private garden of one of the Guild’s members. The date of the paint-out will be determined in June, and will depend on weather and possible cicada activity.

Postcards for the 2024 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at the Aurora Public Art Gallery Now Available

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Postcards for the 2024 Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at the Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery are ready for sharing with friends and family!

Copies can be obtained from the attendant at the front desk of the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum (the same building that includes the Cudahy Room and Sterling Morton Library) beginning on May 7. The postcards will also be available in Aurora by arrangement with Cheryl Holz.

All members and friends of the Guild are encouraged to share copies of the exhibit postcard either digitally or by mailing to friends or dropping off at local businesses.

The postcards for Art Inspired by Earth were designed by Special Exhibits Co-Chair Cheryl Holz, and feature artwork by some of the exhibiting Guild members, Nicki Metz, Beth Berry, Laurie Peters, Patty Koenigsaecker, and Vicki Liszewski.

Looking Ahead to Late Spring and Summer

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Here Fishy, Fishy, copyright Dan Danielson

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will be welcoming the arrival of late spring and summer in a number of enjoyable ways –

  • Nature Artists’ Guild members are encouraged to share images of their summer-inspired artwork for the upcoming issue of the Nature Artists’ Quarterly. This members-only publication includes essays, book reviews, images, and news by and about Guild members. Submissions for possible inclusion in the Summer Quarterly can be emailed to Jane Kellenberger at the NatureArtNews gmail address by May 1, 2024 (Guild members only).
  • There is still time for members to register for the paint-out at Lilacia Park scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 9:30 am. Paint-Out Chair Celia Rodee will share details and updates by email with those registered, and share coffee and her delicious homemade muffins at the paint-out.
  • Artwork drop-off dates for this June and July’s Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit at the gallery of the Aurora Public Art Commission are approaching quickly. Registered exhibitors can park in the designated lot next to the building on May 24 between 2 and 4 or May 25 between 11 and 1, and take the elevator to the third floor to sign in their artwork. The exhibit opens on June 7, 2024 with a reception at the gallery (and a gathering at the studio of Exhibit Co-Chair Cheryl Holz) and continues through July 13.
  • Three members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be discussing and demonstrating their inspirations, materials, and techniques at the June 6, 2024 program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum at 7 pm. This program will be open to all, free-of-charge. Details will be coming soon.

Nature Artists’ Guild Cards at the 2024 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum this Weekend

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Just one more reason to visit the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum this weekend!

A limited number of these sets of four cards (blank inside) featuring the artwork of Nature Artists’ Guild members will be available for purchase (10 dollars per set, cash or check only) at the Guild’s Spring 2024 Exhibit from Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7.

Exhibit visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy more than 200 works of nature art created by 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, numerous pieces by Featured Artist Lindsay Sandbothe, demonstrations by artists in a variety of media, raffles (tickets cash or check only), and more.

The exhibit will be open to all visitors to The Morton Arboretum between 10 and 4 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at no additional charge (Arboretum admission fees or membership will be required) and will be held in the Cudahy Room, located in the Administration Building, adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library (a short stroll from the Visitor Center).

In addition, there will be no admission fee or membership requirement to enter the Arboretum for the reception on Friday evening from 4:30 to 7 pm, and all are invited! Reception visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the event to be admitted and directed to parking.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum April 5th through 7th

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Poster artwork by Lindsay Sandbothe, poster design by Jane Kellenberger. Click on the image for more information. Click on these links for more about Featured Artist Lindsay Sandbothe, the schedule of demonstrators, and samples of exhibit artwork.

Following is a sample from the nearly 250 works of art by 60 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild that will be exhibited this weekend. Click here for the full versions, along with the artists’ names and artwork titles.

Aurora Public Art Exhibit Registration Ends This Friday

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Jewels of Spring, copyright Beth Berry

‘Jewels of Spring’ by Beth Berry is just one of the stunning pieces to be exhibited at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s special exhibit at the Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery from June 7 through July 13, 2024.

Members of the Guild who would like to participate in this exciting new opportunity to exhibit their art can register up to three pieces by this Friday, March 29.

The city of Aurora, IL has a thriving art community that includes a modern and spacious public gallery located in a historic building in the heart of their downtown. The opening of the Guild’s special exhibit will be part of Aurora’s lively First Fridays event in June, ‘a collective downtown open house with offerings of art, music, and more.’

Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery. Image credit APAC.

Participation in this exhibit is easy for Nature Artists’ Guild members –

  • There is no exhibit fee
  • Accepted artwork includes pieces either previously shown in a Guild exhibit or approved by emailing an image
  • Extended hours and a dedicated parking location make dropping off artwork convenient
  • Substitutions will be accepted for artwork that has been sold or is no longer available before the drop-off date
  • All the details and a link to register are right here!

Note – Exhibitors are encouraged to send images of their exhibit artwork to Exhibit Co-Chair Cheryl Holz by April 1 for possible use on exhibit postcards or social media. Proposals by participants interested in teaching a workshop for the Aurora Public Art Commission must be submitted to Cheryl by April 5.

Artists Creating Art at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Spring Exhibit

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Visitors to the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum will have the opportunity to watch and speak with some of the wonderful artists at work during the three days of the exhibition, April 5, 6, and 7.

Visitors can also enjoy the nearly 250 works of nature art in a variety of media by more than 60 artists, numerous pieces by Featured Artist Lindsay Sandbothe, raffle items, artist-inspired cards, and more.

Images above are details from artwork by Vicki Liszewski, Janice Czerwinski, Terrie McComb, Sharon Malec and Ann Lamoureux.

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

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Sun Kissed Petals, copyright Shuli Wang. Click on the image for more.

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Spring Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum is just a few weeks away, on April 5, 6, and 7.

While many of the 65 participating artists may still be putting finishing touches on their artwork, some artists have already finished their work and have kindly shared images here as a preview for all to enjoy.

The exhibit will be held at The Morton Arboretum’s Cudahy Room, located in the Administration Building, adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library. More than 200 works of art inspired by nature will be displayed, including many by Featured Artist Lindsay Sandbothe.

The exhibit is free to attend for all Arboretum visitors (gate fees will still apply for non-members of The Morton Arboretum). Friday evening’s reception is open to all, with no fee for admission to The Morton Arboretum.

Check back here soon for information about the exhibit’s artist demonstrations, raffles, artist-inspired cards, and more artwork images.