A Trio of Nature Artists on June 5, 2025

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Prairie Drought, copyright Todd Serrano

A Nature Artists’ Guild presentation by three talented members will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at The Morton Arboretum and will be open to all, free of charge.

Todd Serrano, whose spectacular drawing is shown above, will be one of three Guild members sharing inspirations, recommendations for tools and supplies, and methods with visitors beginning at 7 pm in the Arbor Room of the Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center.

Program attendees will have the opportunity to watch three short demonstrations in various mediums, ask questions, learn about the artists’ supplies and tools, and closely view a sample of their artwork. Plenty of seating and light refreshments will be provided.

The program is open to the public, free of charge, and there will be no charge for parking or admission to the Arboretum for the event. No registration or ticket is required, and visitors can let the gate attendant at the Arboretum know they are there for the Nature Artists’ Guild program to be admitted and directed to parking for Thornhill.

Nature Artists’ Guild Returns to Hidden Oaks this Summer

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Mouse, copyright Vicki Liszewski

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is pleased to announce a return to the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in July and August, 2025, for a special exhibit, “Into the Wild.“

The Guild was there when Hidden Oaks celebrated their grand re-opening after the facility was purchased by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and the Guild will be there again a few years later to help celebrate the recent extensive renovations to the award-winning building.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has long been supportive of the visual arts, frequently hosting and promoting exhibits (just last year, one of their facilities was chosen to begin the traveling tour of internationally renowned Birds in Art). Hidden Oaks Nature Center includes a well-lit dedicated space on their second floor for exhibiting artwork.

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s exhibit will open on July 5 and continue through August 30, 2025 (artwork drop-off on June 29 and pick-up on August 31). Two pieces, either previously exhibited at The Morton Arboretum or juried by email, can be registered per member. Guild members will be emailed a copy of the prospectus and a registration form link by the end of this month, and the final day to register will be June 20, 2025.

Our Kind of Town . . . for Nature Art

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Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. Image credit West Town Chamber of Commerce.

Driehaus Museum. Image credit The Richard H. Driehaus Museum

Where would one expect to find two buildings of strikingly different architectural styles, within walking distance of each other, both offering exhibits of intricate artwork depicting the natural world? In our “kind of town,” Chicago, of course, one of the greatest cities in the world for architecture, art, and nature.

(Many thanks to trip coordinator Celia Rodee for suggesting the title and therefore having us humming that tune for days.)

The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum is planning a trip, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, to Chicago, to enjoy exhibits of nature art at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and at the Driehaus Museum.

The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is hosting Lichen & Coral: Algae Symbiosis on Land and Sea, a two-person exhibit featuring works by Guild member Sandra Wilcoxon.

Powdered ruffle lichen, 5x, copyright Sandra Wilcoxon. Photo credit UIMA.

The Driehaus Museum is one of only four worldwide invited to host Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature. The exhibit will feature more than 100 works by Rory McEwen, often considered a master of contemporary botanical art.

Tulip ‘Helen Josephine,’ 1975 (detail), by Rory McEwen. Copyright Estate of Rory McEwen.

A light lunch will be scheduled at a local cafe for participants, and carpooling is being arranged by the trip coordinator, Celia Rodee. Guild members and guests are welcome to register here. More details about the outing were recently emailed to members, and any questions can be directed to Celia by email or through the registration form.

Good Things in Store for May and June

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Hidden Prize, copyright Bernadette Hanacek

May and June bring all kinds of good things to Chicagoland! The Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum has plans to celebrate with a field trip, preparations for an exhibit, a program featuring three members sharing their talents, a garden paint-out, and weekly Coffee and Art gatherings.

  • Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild and guests will receive information this week about an outing to the great city of Chicago to visit two museums currently exhibiting nature art. Participants will visit the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art for Lichen and Coral, a two-person exhibit featuring work by Guild member Sandra Wilcoxon, and Driehaus Museum for an exhibit of work by Rory McEwen, a “20th century botanical master.” Plans for lunch at a nearby cafe will also be shared. Members are welcome to bring guests, and can register here.
  • In late May, members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will receive an email with all the details about, and a link to register for, an exhibit at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, IL. The newly renovated center includes a well-lit area on the second floor of the award-winning building, ideal for exhibiting artwork. Guild members’ artwork will be displayed from July 5 to August 30, 2025.
  • On Thursday, June 5, 2025, beginning at 7 pm, three members of the Nature Artists’ Guild will share their inspirations, insights, tools, and techniques at the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum. The program will be open to all, free of charge, and admission fees to the Arboretum will be waived for the event. More details soon. Note – The Guild urgently needs a volunteer to supply snacks for this meeting (costs reimbursed by the Guild). Any member who can help should email Terrie McComb or use this contact form.
  • June’s paint-out will be at a private garden blooming with glorious color. Details for the paint-out are being worked out, and Guild members will be the first to know when they are available.
  • Coffee and Art gatherings continue to meet each Wednesday morning (weather permitting) after 9. Guild members, their guests, or any other interested artists are invited to stop by the Visitor Center of The Morton Arboretum. No registration is required (regular gate fees will apply). The Arboretum will be filled with inspiration from which Guild members may choose to begin their “Flora” artwork!

Looking Lovely for Lilacia!

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Lilac photo credit LombardLilacTime.com

The forecast is for a cool morning with plenty of warm sunshine for the Nature Artists’ Guild’s paint-out at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL, this Thursday.

Artists will meet at Lilacia Park on May 8, 2025 at 9:30 am to grab a coffee and one (or two?) of Celia’s homemade muffins before finding their inspiration throughout the park’s more than 7 acres.

Originally designed by renowned landscape architect, Jens Jensen, the park features 700 lilacs, 35,000 tulips, water features, flowering trees, and towering oaks, all connected by winding paths. Lilacia Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

Paint-out participants can register here to be sure to receive details and updates about the paint-out, but drop-ins are also welcome.

Lilacia Park Paint-Out Thursday, May 8, 2025

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Image credit (edited) Lombard LilacTime.com

700 lilacs, 35,000 tulips, coffee, and Celia’s homemade muffins will welcome artists arriving at the Nature Artists’ Guild’s paint-out at Lilacia Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 9:30 am.

In addition to the scents and scenery, Lombard’s annual Lilac Time festival honors and celebrates the park’s long and fascinating history featuring Col. William Plum and his wife, Helen Maria Williams Plum, Joy Morton, and renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen.

The Guild’s paint-out is scheduled to end at noon, when other festival events, such as local garden club and park district lilac and perennial plant sales, begin.

Interested artists are encouraged to register here to be added to an email list for details and possible weather cancellations or other updates.

Nature Artists’ Guild Request for Art and Articles

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Quarterly cover art (left to right) by Karen Romani, Ann Lamoureux, Jean Black, and Mary Ann Jimenez.

The Nature Artists’ Quarterly is a publication consisting of artwork, articles, and announcements by and for members of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum.

Guild members are invited to submit their artwork and articles for the 2025 summer edition of the Quarterly by May 1 for possible inclusion (an email address and details for contributions were recently emailed to all members).

Nature Artists’ Guild members can look forward to receiving their copy of the summer Quarterly by mail in the beginning of June.

A Great Time to Get Started

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Magnolia 2, copyright Lisa Kanellos

It’s time for Nature Artists’ Guild members to get started on this year’s small works project honoring The Morton Arboretum!

This year’s theme for our members’ 8 x 8 inch works, to be displayed alongside the Guild’s 2025 Autumn Exhibit at the Arboretum in November, is “Flora.”

Merriam-Webster defines “flora” as the “plant, bacteria, or fungal life . . . characteristic of a region, period, or special environment.” The special environment in this case will be The Morton Arboretum, so the available material for inspiration will be varied and plentiful!

The Arboretum is currently bursting with flora, from flowering trees and shrubs to native wildflowers and blooming bulbs, providing a perfect opportunity to do some sketching, plein air painting, or even photographing for future study.

  • Guild members can participate by creating up to three works, completed at or inspired by The Morton Arboretum.
  • Artwork must be exactly 8 by 8 inches and less than 1/2 inch in depth, unframed, and can be in almost any medium.
  • There will be no exhibit fee or volunteer requirement.
  • This special display is separate from, but will be exhibited during and alongside, the Guild’s 2025 Autumn Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum.
  • Artwork should follow general Nature Artists’ Guild exhibition guidelines (except matting and framing and size requirements).
  • A registration form will be emailed to members later in the year.

Daffodil Glade Paint-Out this Thursday, April 17, 2024

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Daffodil Glade, copyright Yvonne Buckley

The Nature Artists’ Guild’s Daffodil Glade paint-out at The Morton Arboretum is just a few days away! Who knows what the weather will bring, but two things are for certain—the daffodils will be in full bloom, and Celia’s homemade muffins will be delicious.

The paint-out will begin at 9:30 am on April 17 as participants meet at the Fragrance Garden entrance, near the Thornhill Education Center of The Morton Arboretum, to grab a cup of hot coffee and a homemade muffin before heading out to find a scenic spot among the daffodils. Registration is recommended to receive more details and possible updates about rescheduling due to inclement weather. Non-members are also invited to stop by (Arboretum gate fees will apply).

The Daffodil Glade paint-out will also be a great opportunity for members to begin working on the Guild’s annual project honoring The Morton Arboretum. This year’s theme will be “Flora.” Each artist can create up to three 8 x 8 inch works, completed at or inspired by the Arboretum, to be included in a special display at the annual Autumn Exhibit. More details to come soon!

Congratulations to the Nature Artists’ Guild for a Wonderful 2025 Spring Exhibit!

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Blackburnian Warbler, copyright Vicki Liszewski, Featured Artist of the Nature Artists’ Guild’s 2025 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum. Click on image for a sample of exhibit artwork.

The Nature Artists’ Guild would like to congratulate and thank all those involved in the success of the 2025 Spring Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum!

Visitors to The Morton Arboretum were able to enjoy more than 200 lovely works of art created by 65 members of the Nature Artists’ Guild last weekend, thanks to Exhibit Co-Chairs Alice Wych and Lisa Kanellos, Featured Artist Vicki Liszewski, and all the artists, volunteers, demonstrators, and Arboretum staff who put their time, effort, and talents into making the exhibit a success.

  • Woods Garden and Peter’s Pond, copyright Ann Lamoureux
  • Stretching to Bloom, copyright Celia Rodee
  • Nature’s Symphony, copyright Shannon Yeh
  • Desert Place, copyright Todd Serrano
  • Butterflies, copyright Linda Hilderbrant
  • Poppies and Olive Trees, copyright Ann Lamoureux
  • After Rain, copyright Lia Liu
  • Poppy Pods, copyright Terrie McComb
  • Hidden Prize, copyright Bernadette Hanacek
  • Zinnia, copyright Mark Scherer
  • Butterflies, Linda Hilderbrant
  • Canada Goose, copyright Nancy Staszak
  • Winter Sunset, copyright Joanne May
  • Paphiopedium Matchmaker Orchid, copyright Celia Rodee
  • Wisteria, Multi-Color, copyright Joanne May
  • Summer Shadows, copyright Maryann Wattelle
  • Foggy Mountains, copyright Lia Liu
  • Pretty in pink, copyright Lisa Kanellos
  • Great Horned Owl, copyright Nancy Staszak
  • Golden Peaks of Banff, copyright Shannon Yeh
  • Garden Wild, copyright Julie Rivera
  • Winter Tree, Fermilab, copyright Todd Serrano
  • Piping Plovers, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Resting Deer, copyright Jill Adzia
  • Apple Blossoms, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Blackburnian Warbler, copyright Vicki Liszewski
  • Poppy, copyright Mark Scherer
  • Bluebird, copyright Jill Adzia
  • Zinnia, copyright Mark Scherer
  • Crabapple 1, copyright Sandra Wilcoxon
  • Creek, copyright Patricia Joyce
  • Juncos, copyright Patricia Joyce
  • Striated Parrot Tulip, copyright Kathi Kuchler
  • Center Attraction, copyright Kathi Kuchler
  • Crabapple 2, copyright Sandra Wilcoxon
  • Gift from the Rose Garden, copyright Jean Black
  • Natures Bounty, copyright Deb Giampoli
  • Garden of Cosmos Delights, copyright Julie Rivera
  • Water lilies, copyright Lisa Kanellos

Click here to view the images in larger format.

(Exhibit artists who haven’t already done so can send up to two images of their exhibited work to Denise Fisk this week to have them added to the online display.)