Nature Artists' Guild

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at Gallery 200 throughout August 2022

Published on July 10, 2022July 28, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Gallery 200 is a lovely and vibrant artists’ cooperative located in West Chicago and features the work of 30 artists in a wide variety of media. Classes, monthly special exhibits, and other art events are held in the large open areas of the gallery’s new location.

Artwork by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be highlighted throughout the month of August 2022 in a special exhibit, Visions of Nature.

No Printer? No Postage? No Problem!

Hopefully, anyway. The Nature Artists’ Guild is trying out a new way for members to submit their registration for special exhibits. In addition to the option of mailing a completed registration form (previously emailed to members,) members will soon be emailed a link with the option to use an online form. In order to participate in the Gallery 200 exhibit, members must either submit the online registration or mail their completed registration by Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Welcoming New Members, a Television Appearance, Paint-Out, Exhibits, Program, and More

Published on July 8, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Porcini and Pinecones, copyright Jane Kellenberger. One of more than fifty works of art featured at the Visions of Nature exhibit at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

For those who have long been considering joining the Nature Artists’ Guild or those who have just discovered it and don’t want to wait until the new year to join, there is now a half-year (July through December) membership plan available for new members only. Please click on this link to the Membership page to read more.

Some current and upcoming events –

Suzy Lyttle of the Will County Forest Preserve District was interviewed recently by Naperville Community TV about the upcoming Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit and the reopening of the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Please click on this link to view the short interview (and some of the artwork.) A reception and open house with light refreshments will take place at Hidden Oaks this evening from 4 until 7.

A Nature Artists’ Guild exhibit at Gallery 200 in West Chicago has been scheduled for the month of August 2022. The prospectus was emailed to members on June 24 and completed prospectuses for participating artists must be returned (postmarked) by Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Members will meet for a paint-out at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center on Monday, July 25, 2022 from 9 am until noon. More about the paint-out coming soon.

A program featuring Laverne Bohlin and her lovely pastels will be open to all, free-of-charge at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 7 pm.

The Nature Artists’ Guild will have an information table and artist demonstrations inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum during the Wine and Art Walk the weekend of August 20 and 21, 2022.

Finally, there’s an opportunity every Wednesday at 9 am to enjoy a few hours of chatting, sketching, snacking on delicious muffins, or just relaxing and watching the chipmunks scurry through the flowers at the Coffee and Art Club.

Reception this Friday, July 8, 2022 from 4 to 7 at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Published on July 5, 2022July 5, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Postcard design by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Artwork by Kumie Kim.

All are invited to visit the Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Friday, July 8, 2022 between 4 and 7 pm to celebrate the reopening of the center, support the artists, enjoy some light refreshments, and take in the wonderful view.

The reception is free and open to all – please share the invitation with friends and family!

Laverne Bohlin’s Serene Pastels on August 4, 2022

Published on July 1, 2022August 6, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Fox River View, copyright Laverne Bohlin. Used with permission.

Laverne Bohlin has been a valued instructor, volunteer, and member of The Morton Arboretum and the Nature Artists’ Guild for many years. Although she has chosen to spend her “retirement” creating award-winning paintings in the mountains of New Mexico, Laverne still enjoys visiting and painting the many wonderful local landscapes of the Chicagoland area.

Although her work often depicts ordinary scenes that are experienced by many – looking, seeing and recording the effects of light on the landscape is the essence of her work.
lavernebohlin.com

The Nature Artists’ Guild is proud to sponsor a program featuring Laverne Bohlin and her stunning pastel works on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 7 pm at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. This program will be open to all, free-of-charge (including free admission to The Morton Arboretum and free parking.) Visitors can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be directed to Thornhill.

Laverne will also be teaching Nature in Pastel: The Nuances of Water at The Morton Arboretum the following weekend. A few spots are still available and details can be found by clicking on the highlighted link above.

Hidden Oaks Exhibit Drop-Off Next Week

Published on June 23, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Jack in the Pulpit, copyright Nancy Thyfault. Jack in the Pulpit will be exhibited at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center along with approximately fifty other works by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

Twenty-five members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will be exhibiting approximately fifty wonderful pieces of nature-inspired art at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center from July 6 until July 31, 2022.

Participating artists will need to deliver their artwork to the Hidden Oaks Nature Center between 11 am and 1:30 pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 . Detailed driving directions (it really is somewhat hidden!) will be emailed to artists before the drop-off date.

An open house and exhibit reception is scheduled for July 8, 2022 from 4 until 7 pm. All are invited to stop in to enjoy the artwork, the beautiful surroundings, and some light refreshments.

This Week for the Nature Artists’ Guild

Published on June 13, 2022July 5, 2022 by Denise1 Comment

Blue Jay, copyright Jane Kellenberger. Blue Jay will be one of approximately fifty pieces of nature art in the Nature Artists’ Guild’s exhibit at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in July, 2022.

This Wednesday, June 15, 2022 is the last day for Nature Artists’ Guild members to mail completed prospectuses for the upcoming exhibit at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. A link to the prospectus was emailed to all members in the past few weeks.

Ground Cover Garden, The Morton Arboretum. Image credit (detail) mortonarb.org.

The Wednesday Morning Coffee Club for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will meet at 9 am in the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. While there is plenty to sketch through the windows, the Ground Cover Garden is just a short walk away and offers a cool, quiet oasis for participants who want to get outdoors to sketch, paint, or photograph.

More information is available by clicking on any of the highlighted links.

Nature Artists’ Guild Exhibit at Hidden Oaks Opens July 6, 2022

Published on June 3, 2022July 2, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Detail of photo by Suzy Lyttle, Forest Preserve District of Will County, reconnectwithnature.org.

The Nature Artists’ Guild is excited to announce the opening of an exhibit at a hidden gem of the suburbs, the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, IL, on July 6, 2022.

The Hidden Oaks Nature Center and surrounding 33 acres were recently acquired by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and they are looking forward to re-opening the building to the public in July. (Please click on this link to a video to learn more about the past, present, and future of the center and preserve.)

The Nature Artists’ Guild will be participating in the celebration with an exhibit of nearly fifty pieces of nature art created by its members. The exhibit will be held in one of the center’s light-filled rooms, which feature lovely panoramic views of the preserve’s wooded areas, until the end of July.

An open-house and reception will be held on the evening of July 8 from 4 to 7 pm. The reception will take place in a room adjacent to the exhibit space and on the balcony overlooking the preserve. Refreshments will be provided by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

The Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer Begin

Published on May 31, 2022June 3, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Summer Memories, pastel, copyright Laverne Bohlin. Click on image for link to Laverne’s website.

The Nature Artists’ Guild has a lot in store, from programs and paint-outs to special exhibits and projects, for the upcoming “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer“ (Nat King Cole, 1963.)

Members are invited to stop by Ginkgo Restaurant and Café in the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum at 9 am for informal weekly gatherings beginning tomorrow, June 1, 2022. These will continue throughout the season. (Timed-entry passes will be required.) Note – time has been updated to 9 am from previously announced 11 am.

The following evening, Thursday, June 2, 2022, the Nature Artists’ Guild will be sponsoring a program (open to all, free of charge) at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum at 7 pm. This annual program will feature three talented members of the guild sharing some of their artistic inspirations, tools, and techniques. (Timed-entry passes are not required.)

Paint-outs will be scheduled as the summer progresses, and special projects and exhibits are being planned for July and August. Award-winning pastel artist (and guild member) Laverne Bohlin will be giving a presentation at the August 4th program and teaching a workshop for the arboretum the following weekend. Many more details coming soon!

Please click on any of the highlighted links for more information.

Nature Artists’ Guild’s “Coffee and Art” Returns on Wednesdays at 9 am

Published on May 26, 2022May 18, 2024 by Denise1 Comment

Exterior of Ginkgo Restaurant and Café facing Meadow Lake at The Morton Arboretum. Photo credit mortonarb.org.

The casual weekly gatherings of members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and their guests will take place on Wednesdays at 9 am adjacent to the Ginkgo Restaurant and Café inside the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum.

Members are welcome to stop by any Wednesday to chat with fellow members, share recent artwork, sketch, stitch, sip or snack, or simply gaze out the wall of windows overlooking the areas surrounding the Visitor Center and Meadow Lake as the day unfolds.

Early-risers or members who would like to head outdoors to enjoy one of the stunning gardens, many within easy walking distance of the Visitor Center, can do so before, after, or during the gathering. Perhaps a few participants can get together to choose an area to sketch, paint, or photograph each week.

Taking Time for Nature Art

Published on May 20, 2022 by DeniseLeave a comment

Indigo Bunting 2, copyright Carol Cooley

It is true that it’s one of the busiest times of the year for those who appreciate nature. Nature artists are often also birders, hikers, amblers, gardeners, or travelers, and late spring is a wonderful time to enjoy (as well as sketch, paint, or photograph) those adventures. The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to add just a few more worthwhile activities to fit into those busy schedules in the next few weeks.

Next Wednesday, May 25, 2022, Nature Artists’ Guild members will meet for a paint-out at the Jurica-Suchy Museum from 10 am until noon. Attendance at this paint-out will be limited and not available for drop-ins. Members who have not yet signed up to attend can email Linn Eldred to check for openings.

^{From the Jurica-Suchy Museum. Photo credits Jane Kellenberger and Linn Eldred.}

On Thursday June 2, 2022, beginning at 7 pm, visitors to the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum will have the opportunity to watch and interact with three members of the Nature Artists’ Guild as they demonstrate and discuss their artwork. This popular annual program is open to all, free-of-charge.