Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum November 8 – 10, 2024
Category: Exhibitions
Nature Artists’ Guild’s Autumn 2024 Featured Artist 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
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.
- Posters and postcards for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2024 Autumn Exhibit will be available at the October 3rd meeting for members and guests to pick up to share with friends, family, and local businesses.
- 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).
- The final day for Nature Artists’ Guild members to register online or by mail for the 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum will be October 7, 2024.
- The final day for Guild members to register online or by mail for the special exhibit “Trees” will also be October 7, 2024.
- 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
What a busy season for the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum!
- Nature Artists’ Guild members have been emailed prospectuses and registration links for both the 2024 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum and the special display of 8 x 8 works of art. Registrations will be due on October 7, 2024 and participation is limited to Guild members.
- 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
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.
- A prospectus and link to an online registration form for Trees, the special display of 8 x 8 works of art celebrating The Morton Arboretum, will also arrive in members’ emails in the next few days. Members can read more here.
- 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 Morton Arboretum is offering a lecture by Philip Juras, Falling in Love with Eastern Grasslands: Art and Conservation Advocacy, on the evening of September 11, open to all.
- 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
Some reminders for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum as August 2024 begins –
- This Thursday, August 1, a program sponsored by the Guild will feature artist Kristina Knowski and her “Avifauna Watercolors”. The presentation will take place at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum from 7 until 9 pm, and is open to all, free of charge. More details here.
- 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.
- Registrations are still being accepted for the paint-out on the morning of August 7 at the Gardens at Ball. More information about the event here.
- Nature Artists’ Guild members are reminded that the theme of the Guild’s annual tribute to The Morton Arboretum (8 x 8-inch works of art inspired by their collections) is “Trees” for 2024. This special display will be exhibited during the Guild’s annual Autumn Exhibit at the Arboretum in November. More information here.
Nature Journaling Workshop July 13, 2024
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
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 be inspired by or created at The Morton Arboretum and follow basic Guild exhibition guidelines for subject matter and the “Trees” theme. (The listed matting, framing, and size guidelines should be disregarded for this special exhibit).
- 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.)
A Garden Party Paint-Out on June 23, 2024
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!
Nature Artists' Guild 
