This Autumn for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Zion II – Virgin River, copyright Joe Rizzo

For the Nature Artists’ Guild, the unofficial beginning of autumn will be this week, when the prospectus for November’s Nature Art Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum is emailed to all members.

The Guild is pleased to announce that the Featured Artist for the 2023 Autumn Nature Art Exhibit will be Joe Rizzo (much more about Joe and his work to come soon). The exhibit will include more than 200 works of nature art by approximately 50 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild. The exhibit postcard and posters, as well as many more details, will be coming soon.

Also coming this autumn –

  • A paint-out at the gardens at Cantigny is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, beginning at 9:30 am. The gardens will still be blooming and beautiful for this event. All members are welcome to stop by any time that morning, but by registering here, they can be added to an email list for details and updates. There will be no charge for admission or parking for the paint-out.
  • A paint-out at Lake Marmo at The Morton Arboretum has been tentatively planned for October 4 at 9:30 am. Lake Marmo and its surroundings will be displaying the colors of fall and attendees might find inspiration to participate in the Joy’s Vision special display. A registration form for the paint-out and more details to come soon.
  • The Visiting Artist Workshop: Conceptual Landscapes in Watercolor with Bryce Lafferty on October 6, 7, and 8, 2023 at The Morton Arboretum is being co-sponsored by the Nature Artists’ Guild. (Guild members can receive an additional discount by registering by phone and confirming their membership.) Bryce will also be doing a presentation, free and open to all, on October 5, 2023 from 7 to 9 pm at the Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center. More details to come soon.
  • Wednesday morning gatherings, Art and Coffee, will continue each week throughout autumn (except for the days with paint-outs scheduled). Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and their guests are welcome to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum between 9 and 11 am to chat, sketch, or enjoy a quiet morning in beautiful surroundings.

At Last, the Gardens at Cantigny

Rock and Gravel Garden, photo credit Cantigny.org

Colonel Robert McCormick (for whom Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center is named) was editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune for 44 years and the creator of “an important media empire, Tribune Company, which grew from a single newspaper to a media giant.” Cantigny Park, his 500-acre former estate, was bequeathed by Colonel McCormick as a “public space for education and recreation.”

In 1967, [famed landscape architect Franz] Lipp began construction of this lush, horticultural masterpiece, which is one of the largest display gardens in the Midwest with more than 160,000 annuals, perennials, ground covers and flowering shrubs and trees. – Cantigny.org

At 9:30 on the morning of Wednesday, September 6, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum will meet to explore Cantigny’s Gardens with their cameras, sketchbooks, canvases, paints, and pencils. Included are a rose garden, logarium, hosta garden, idea garden, rock and gravel gardens, and display gardens. Sculptures, fountains, waterfalls, small streams, ponds, and natural areas are also part of this vast estate, all available for the artists to enjoy.

There will be no charge for admission or parking for this paint-out and Nature Artists’ Guild members can register here to be added to the email list for details and updates.

Gardens at Ball Paint-Out this Thursday, August 10, 2023

Photo credit Ball Horticultural, ballhort.com

It is Ball Horticultural Company’s mission to be the world leader in the research, breeding, production and marketing of ornamental crops.

BallHort.com

This Thursday morning, August 10, 2023, beginning at 9:30, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will have the opportunity to spend a few hours enjoying the spectacular display gardens of Ball Horticultural.

“What began as a row trial garden for seed varieties in 1933 has grown to encompass over 9 acres of display beds for annuals, perennials, cut flowers and vegetables, including the newest plants from the industry’s leading breeders and marketers.” Ball’s “global family of breeders, research and development teams, suppliers, and distribution companies has a strong presence on six continents in 20 countries.”

Interested members of the Guild can register here by tomorrow to receive details about attending.

Coming in August for the Nature Artists’ Guild

The Nature Artists’ Guild is offering some end-of-summer opportunities for members and guests to enjoy

  • On the following Thursday, August 10, 2023, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will meet at the Gardens at Ball at 9:30 am for a few hours of drawing, painting, and photographing some of the colorful offerings of the display gardens of Ball Horticultural, one of the world’s largest seed and plant distributors. Guild members can register here and receive details and updates.
  • Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild (and those who would like to learn more about the Guild) are invited to drop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum for Art and Coffee on Wednesday mornings beginning at 9 to sketch or chat. The light is incredible and the views are lovely.
  • Jane Kellenberger will begin work in the coming weeks for the autumn issue of the the Guild’s members-only publication, the Quarterly. Members will receive an email soon with instructions for submitting photos and articles, due by August 1, 2023.

A Visit to the Gardens at Ball on August 10, 2023

Photo credit Gardens at Ball, BallHort.org

The Gardens at Ball have been the evaluation and testing grounds for the world’s wealth of horticultural introductions and improvements for over 80 years. What began as a row trial garden for seed varieties in 1933 has grown to encompass over 9 acres of display beds for annuals, perennials, cut flowers and vegetables

Ball Horticultural, ballhort.com/GardensAtBall

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum have the opportunity to spend a lovely morning at the Gardens at Ball on Thursday, August 10, 2023, beginning at 9:30, to paint, draw, sketch, or photograph some of the wonderful flowers (or vegetables) at their peak.

Interested Guild members can register here to reserve a spot and be added to the email list for more details and updates about this paint-out.

(For some stunning photos of the Gardens at Ball, it is well worth visiting the website of the Garden Conservancy.)

Chronicling the Growth of the Grand Garden

Grand Garden photo credit mortonarb.org

The Gerald T. Donnelly Grand Garden at The Morton Arboretum was completed last year in celebration of the Arboretum’s 100th anniversary.

Already, the garden is evolving from a space containing mostly physical structures, including pergolas, benches, waterfalls, and a fountain, to a peaceful and lush area with a variety of lovely trees, flowers, and shrubs.

The Grand Garden will continue to develop each year, and the Nature Artists’ Guild has an opportunity to visit on July 12, 2023 from 9:30 until noon (rain date, if necessary, July 13) to capture in photos, pencil, ink, paint, or pastels, some of this year’s beauty.

Members of the Guild who would like to spend a morning with fellow members at this paint-out at the Grand Garden can register by clicking here and receive further details and updates from coordinator Celia Rodee.

Celebrating Summer with the Nature Artists’ Guild

Tomato, copyright Lisa Kanellos

The Nature Artists’ Guild begins the season with gatherings and events to celebrate the special sights, sounds, and scents (as well as textures and tastes) of summer.

  • The exhibit at the McCord Gallery continues through July 7, 2023. More than 30 unique works of nature art created by Guild members adorn the walls of this historic gallery.
  • A paint-out at the recently opened Grand Garden of The Morton Arboretum has been planned for the morning of Wednesday, July 12, 2023 (rain date July 13). Interested members can register here and be added to the attendee list to receive email details and updates.
  • The August 3, 2023 program (open to all) sponsored by the Guild will feature multi-talented artist John Fleck from 7 until 9 pm. John will be sharing his methods and materials for creating landscapes in charcoal. More details to come soon.
  • Weekly Art and Coffee gatherings continue every Wednesday morning (except on days of paint-outs) at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum from 9 to 11:30. Members and guests are welcome to stop by and chat, sketch, or simply enjoy the quiet morning in a lovely atmosphere.

Garden Paint-Out This Thursday, June 15, 2023

Photo credits Anne and Charles Bouchard

Promises of a lovely morning in the garden –

There is still time for Nature Artists’ Guild members to arrange to attend this Thursday morning’s paint-out at the beautiful private garden of Anne and Charles Bouchard in Glen Ellyn, IL from 9:30 am to noon. Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee will be bringing coffee and Rosemary Currant and Maple Pecan scones for all attendees, and the weather forecast looks promising!

The Bouchard’s landscape was originally designed by Tony Tyznik (landscape architect of The Morton Arboretum for forty years) in his signature style, and has been updated and enhanced over the years.

Members can sign up here to be included on Celia’s email list for directions, further details, and updates for what promises to be a lovely morning in the garden.

This and That for the Nature Artists’ Guild

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

Now that members of the Nature Artists’ Guild have had time to experience some of the beauty and wonder (as well as yard work and gardening) that are all part of spring in Chicagoland, it is time to get back to creating and sharing some art!

Coming up for the Nature Artists’ Guild –

  • Registrations for participation in the upcoming special exhibit at the McCord Gallery are due by May 24, 2023 (just four days from now!) The prospectus and a link to the registration form were emailed to all members on April 29. The McCord Gallery, just half an hour from The Morton Arboretum, features a wonderful gallery space and is active in promoting their exhibits with a reception, postcards, and community outreach. For the first time, Nature Artists’ Guild members will be eligible to also register artwork not previously shown at the Arboretum (details here).
  • May 30, 2023 is the final day to visit the Guild’s exhibit at the Woodridge Public Library, More than thirty pieces of nature art by members of the Guild were exhibited in their gallery space for all visitors to the library to enjoy and be inspired by throughout the month.
  • On Thursday evening, June 1, 2023, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild, guests, and visitors will meet at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum for the annual “Trio of Nature Artists” program featuring three members of the Guild demonstrating and discussing fascinating techniques they use for creating nature art. This event is open to the public, free of charge (details here).
  • Guild members are invited to a paint-out at a stunning private garden in Glen Ellyn on the morning of June 15, 2023. Paint-Out Coordinator Celia Rodee will be offering coffee and scones to attendees to add to the enjoyment of what promises to be an idyllic morning. Members who would like to attend should notify Celia by email or by clicking here. Photos and details (scone flavors!) coming soon.
  • The weekly Art and Coffee gatherings continue to meet each Wednesday morning between 9 and 11 at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. All members of the Nature Artists’ Guild as well as those interested in hearing more about the Guild are welcome to stop by. The meeting place is absolutely surrounded by blooms this spring and when the weather permits, attendees can move outdoors to enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of the morning.
  • It’s the perfect time of the year for Guild members to visit another location from the Joy’s Vision project to sketch or gather reference material. Joy Path (including the Fragrance Garden) will be particularly fetching.

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at Woodridge Library throughout May 2023

Poster artwork by Cheryl Holz

All are invited to stop in at the Woodridge Public Library during regular library hours to enjoy a special exhibit of nearly thirty works of art by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum. The exhibit will continue through the end of May 2023.

In other Nature Artists’ Guild news –

  • Guild members who have contributions for the summer issue of the Quarterly should email them to Jane Kellenberger by today, May 1.
  • There will be a gathering for Art and Coffee this Wednesday from 9 until 11 at the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. Members and their guests, as well as visitors wishing to learn more about the Nature Artists’ Guild, are welcome to stop by.
  • A prospectus for the special exhibit at McCord Gallery & Cultural Center was emailed to all members of the Nature Artists’ Guild on April 29. Completed registrations must be returned by May 24 (by mail or online with the link provided on the prospectus). More details to come.