Award-winning pastel artist Nancie King Mertz will demonstrate and discuss her materials, methods, and inspirations at The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 7 until 9 pm.
What a magnificent opportunity to watch a world-renowned pastel artist in action! Nancie will bring some of her completed paintings for in-person viewing, along with her hand-selected private label sets of Richeson Soft Handmade Pastels. Copies of her demonstration source photo will be shared with the audience so they can visually follow along as she works.
This program, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild, is open to the public free of charge. There will also be no charge for parking or admission to The Morton Arboretum for the event. No registration is required, and visitors can let the Arboretum gate attendant know they are there for the program to be directed to the Thornhill Education Center.
Plenty of seating and complimentary light refreshments will be available.
Plein-air pastel painting, copyright Nancie King Mertz
The Nature Artists’ Guild is thrilled to sponsor a program and demonstration by 2025 Pastel Society of America Hall of Fame Honoree Nancie King Mertz on the evening of Thursday, March 5, 2026, at The Morton Arboretum.
All are invited to attend a presentation and demonstration by Nancie on March 5, from 7 until 9 pm, at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. The program will be open to the public, free of charge, and there will be no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretumfor this event. Plenty of seating and delicious light refreshments will be available. No registration is required, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to Thornhill.
Plein-air pastel painting, copyright Nancie King Mertz
“Inspired by the intersection of nature, science, and art,” beautifully describes both the process and the finished works by textile artist Kristin Field. Kristin will share some of that inspiration in an online presentation, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 7 pm.
Dyed textiles, Kristin Field
Kristin Field is a textile artist, natural dyer, weaver, and gardener based in Chicago, IL. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Fiber and Material Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Kristin grows dye plants like indigo, madder, and coreopsis in her small garden alongside food and cut flowers. She uses these plants to create naturally dyed textiles, and she extracts and works with natural pigments to make watercolor paints and inks. Through working with natural dyes, pigments, and fibers, she seeks to give attention and recognition to the subtle wonders that surround us in our everyday lives.
In this artist’s talk, Kristin will discuss her natural dyeing practice, her experience growing dye plants in Chicago over the last 7 years, her soil chromatography work, and past and current textile projects inspired by the intersection of nature, science, and art. – fieldandgardner.com
Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be emailed a link and instructions for attending this live online program, and guests may request a free link here. There will be time for questions at the end of the talk. (The program will not be recorded.)
HEY… The Birdfeeder is Empty!, copyright Dan Danielson
The DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center reports that January, which might seem quiet in Chicagoland’s natural world, is actually quite busy! For instance –
Tomorrow, January 18, a free reception for the Guild’s special exhibit at the Downers Grove Public Library will be held from 2 to 4. Everyone is invited to stop by the exhibit and support the artists while enjoying some light refreshments.
On Wednesday, January 21, Guild members are invited to stop by an informal gathering at the Wheaton Public Library at 11:30 to enjoy even more nature art by their fellow artists. Those interested in having lunch at nearby Bien Trucha afterward at 12:30 can RSVP here or by contacting Celia Rodee.
Nature Artists’ Guild members are encouraged to spend a quiet hour at home this month, looking through and photographing their spring-inspired artwork for possible inclusion in the upcoming issue of the Quarterly. Images, articles, and announcements can be emailed to Jane Kellenberger by February 1.
The annual paint-out at Orchids by Hausermann is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, from 7:30 until 10 am. This tropical destination is a favorite of Guild artists, who are invited to spend the morning, before the showroom opens, surrounded by gorgeous orchids in bloom. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Later in the evening of February 5, members (and guests who request a link) will be able to log in to join a Guild-sponsored online presentation by textile artist Kristin Field. Links to the program will be emailed the preceding week. (Much more about Kristin and her fascinating work coming soon.)
As always, members and visitors are welcome to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum any Wednesday morning about 9:30 to spend time chatting, sipping, and sketching with fellow artists at Coffee and Art.
Artwork from 2024 Holiday Card, copyright Suzanne Wegener
Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to spend a fun and festive evening with their fellow artists at this year’s holiday celebration, “Jingle & Mingle,” on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 6 to 8:30.
The Morton Arboretum will provide the beautiful setting, both indoors and out, with a crackling fire in the Founders Room (the historic former library of the Morton family) to greet guests after their short walk through a snowy wonderland (somehow even more stunning after dark) to the Thornhill Education Center.
Fellow members of the Nature Artists Guild will provide the warmth of friendship. After enjoying appetizers and punch in the Founders Room, Guild members will gather in the adjacent Arbor Room for desserts, a raffle of art and nature-related items, and a few fun surprises.
No ticket or RSVP is required, and Guild members can check their emailed invitations for details. This event is reserved for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and their guests.
The Nature Artists’ Guild’s special exhibit of small works, “Flora,” will be on display alongside and throughout the Guild’s 2025 Autumn Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum from November 7 to 9.
The 2025 Autumn Art Exhibit and Flora will include nearly 250 pieces by more than 70 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. Flora will feature a display of 8-inch square works inspired by and honoring The Morton Arboretum. The exhibits will take place in the Cudahy Room and lobby, adjacent to the Sterling Morton Library, of the Arboretum’s Administration Building, and are open to all Arboretum visitors at no extra charge.
Also coming soon –
The final day for Guild members to submit artwork, articles, or news to Jane Kellenberger for possible inclusion in the winter issue of the members-only publication, the Quarterly, will be November 1.
Artwork drop-off for the 2025 Autumn Art Exhibit and Flora will take place on Wednesday, November 5, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum. All pieces must be pre-registered and follow the Guild’s guidelines for subject matter and presentation included in the prospectuses.
Blank cards and envelopes will be available at the exhibit drop-off on November 5 for members who wish to use them for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s annual holiday card exchange. Details and a link to register online will be emailed to members soon. (Blank cards will also be available at the holiday party.)
This year’s holiday gathering for Guild members, “Jingle & Mingle,” will, according to coordinators, include a “refresh” and a few fun surprises! Invitations and details will be emailed to members soon for this December 4th event.
Prospectuses and links for online registration will be emailed to Guild members for two special exhibits being held in January 2026. Artwork drop-offs for these exhibits at the Downers Grove Public Library and the Wheaton Public Library will take place in December 2025.
Casual and fun gatherings, Coffee and Art, continue to take place each Wednesday morning at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. Members and guests are invited to stop by between about 9:15 and 11:30 to sketch and chat with fellow artists.
Image by Cantigny.org, 2025 Autumn Exhibit postcard artwork by Kathy Steere, “Just Leaves by Phil Schorn
The colors of autumn are slowly arriving in Chicagoland, and the Nature Artists’ Guild will be there to welcome them with paints, pencils, paper, and canvas.
Members participating in the 2025 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum will need to register online or by mail by October 11. Much more about the exhibit and Featured Artist Kathy Steere to come in the next few weeks. Postcards and posters will be available for members to pick up at the October 2 meeting to share with friends, family, and local businesses.
Nature Artists’ Guild members and visitors will continue to meet each Wednesday morning at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum to enjoy the company of fellow artists, as well as the stunning views surrounding them.
Luminous Succulent, color pencil, copyright Phil Schorn
The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to welcome artist Phil Schorn to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum for a presentation on the evening of October 2, 2025.
Phil Schorn’s award-winning work has been featured in numerous publications, including Colored Pencil Magazine, as well as in group and solo exhibits. He also shares his talents through demonstrations, workshops, outdoor art fairs, classes, and private lessons.
With the color pencil, I have the ability to create the shape, color and detail that I envision in my art. Color pencil is where I find the most comfort in, where the color and detail truly stands out. My art is realistic butdone with an artistic approach. I want the viewer to see more than what they thought was there. I take what is considered ordinary and make it extraordinary. –Phil Schorn
Just Leaves, color pencil, copyright Phil Schorn
The presentation, sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, will be held at the Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 7 until 9 pm. The program is open to all, free of charge, and no registration is required. There will be no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for this event. Visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the presentation to be admitted and directed to Thornhill.
Plenty of seating and delicious light refreshments will be provided.
White Petunia II, copyright Marge Hall, is included in the Into the Wild exhibit at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, IL until August 30.
Despite what we see and hear on the screens and in the stores, we know that summer is far from over and there is plenty of the season left to enjoy. The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum looks forward to making the most of it!
Works by more than 30 artists are showcased in the lovely cool and quiet gallery room overlooking the edge of a forest in Into the Wild, the summer exhibit by members of the Guild at the Hidden Oaks Nature Centerin Bolingbrook, IL, until August 30, 2025. (Artwork images coming soon.)
Spots at the popular annual paint-out at the Gardens of Ball are filling quickly! Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will meet at Ball Horticultural’s spectacular display gardens on the morning of August 8, 2025. Registration is required.
Coffee and Art continues each Wednesday morning inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. Artists can also head outdoors to gather reference material for their contribution to this autumn’s special exhibit, Flora! No registration is required for these friendly and informal gatherings.
The Nature Artists’ Guild is pleased to announce that their August program at The Morton Arboretum will feature artist Sarah M Johnsonand her methods for creating striking landscapes in gouache.
Sarah M Johnson’s career in creating and teaching art includes the use of various media, but on Thursday evening, August 7, 2025, from 7 to 9, she will focus on the many uses of gouache.
Sarah will be demonstrating and explaining the tools and techniques for creating landscapes in two different types of gouache, describing the medium’s advantages for plein air and travel, and sharing examples of her own style, “realism with expressive and painterly elements.”
This program at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will be free and open to the public. There will be no charge for parking or entrance into the Arboretum for the event, and visitors can let the gate attendant know they are there for the program to be admitted and directed to Thornhill. Plenty of seating and light refreshments will be available, and registration is not required.
Nature Artists' Guild 
