The Holidays Are On Their Way

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Paulette McDermott’s lovely holly branch reminds us that the holidays are right around the corner!

Our Social Chairperson, Gail Diedrichsen has been doing a wonderful job coordinating the upcoming Nature Artists’ Guild Holiday Celebration, which will take place on Thursday evening, December 5th, 2013 at Thornhill.  Please plan on arriving between 6 and 6:30 pm so you will have some time to help set up food and chat with your fellow Nature Artists’ Guild members before the festivities begin.

All Nature Artists’ Guild members and their guests are welcome, but please RSVP to Gail if you haven’t already confirmed, so she can get an estimate of the number of attendees.   Gail’s phone number and e-mail address can be found in your Yearbook.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Holly © Paulette McDermott
Holly © Paulette McDermott

A Message From Our Exhibit Co-Chairpersons

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The Co-Chairpersons of the 2013  Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of the Morton Arboretum would like to share a few words with all of our members –

What A Show!

 A great big THANK YOU to all of the members who participated in the Holiday Exhibit. Thank you, also, to all of the Artists who attended the exhibit to show your support.  We had over 1000 visitors. Our featured artist, Sharon Malec, had phenomenal work and generated much interest in fiber arts.  Congratulations to all!

Susan Bartlett

Barb Denny

Susan and Barb and their team did a wonderful job planning and coordinating the exhibit and also deserve a huge thank you and congratulations from all of the members of the Nature Artists’ Guild.

The 2013 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum

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Nature Artists' Guild Holiday Exhibit (640x443)

The artists of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum invite you to attend their 2013 Holiday Exhibit, taking place at the Thornhill Education Center on November 9 and 10, 2013, from 11 am until 4 pm.

Approximately fifty artists will be presenting over one hundred pieces of original nature art for your enjoyment.  There is no charge for the exhibit, but normal gate fees for The Morton Arboretum will apply on Saturday and Sunday.

Busy Betty Birdwatcher

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There are just a few more days left to visit “Betty Birdwatcher”on the Scarecrow Trail at the Morton Arboretum.  You can find Betty just outside the door of the Visitor’s Center, at the beginning of the one-mile path around Meadow Lake, and will recognize her by her Nature Artists’ Guild t-shirt.

Betty, created by members of the Nature Artists’ Guild,  will be watching her birds until the end of October, and you can visit the trail between 7 am and sunset.

Betty Birdwatcher, photo credit Kathy Wagner
Betty Birdwatcher, photo credit Kathy Wagner

Sneak Preview – 2014 Nature Artists Guild Calendar

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The 2014 Nature Artists’ Guild desk calendars are hot off the press and will be available for sale at the Guild’s 2013 Holiday Exhibition, running November 8-10 at Thornhill at The Morton Arboretum.

The calendar is a showcase of our members’ work (and also an important fundraiser for the Guild). Guild member Carla Schmakel described the calendar as “an artifact of our collective appreciation for the natural world”, which I think sums it up perfectly.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted artwork for this year’s calendar.

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Our New Featured Artist, Sharon Malec

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Our wonderful new header shows a detail from a work of fiber art by our Featured Artist of the 2013 Holiday Exhibit of the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum, Sharon Malec.  Please click on the “Our Current Featured Artist” tab at the top of this page to read about Sharon and view more examples of her beautiful artwork.

"The Hollow Tree", © Sharon Malec
“The Hollow Tree”, © Sharon Malec

Check back soon for more about the upcoming exhibit, which will take place from November 8 until November 10, 2013.

An Opportunity for Local Nature Artists

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Friends of Danada will be accepting entries for the 2013 Danada Nature Art Show, at Danada House in Wheaton, Illinois, on Monday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 8, 2013 between 3 and 8 pm.  Entry forms may be picked up at the same time the artwork is delivered to Danada House.  The exhibit is open to all nature artists, with “all works featuring some aspect of our natural environment with no indication of human influence” in the categories of “Animals”, “Plants”, or “Scenery”.

The exhibit will be open to the public on Friday through Sunday, October 11, 12 and 13, 2013, during the annual Danada Fall Festival.   There will be an artists’ reception on Friday, October 11, 2013, and prizes will be awarded.   Please contact Friends of Danada at info@danadahouse.com for all the details. 

We Saved The Best for Last!

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The Nature Artists’ Guild has had some very special paint-outs this year.  From tropical Orchids by Hausermann’s in the winter, to some of the prettiest gardens in the area and the best weather you could ask for in the summer, this year has held some wonderful opportunities for our members.

There is one more paint-out planned for this year, and we have truly saved the best for last.  On October 8, please join us near Parking Lot P27 near Lake Marmo at, where else, The Morton Arboretum.  

Visitors  or “leaf-peepers” will be coming in from all over to see one of the best displays of Autumn color in the area.  Our group will be away from the crowds, tucked beneath the trees surrounding Lake Marmo, doing our best to portray the beautiful scene.

We will meet at 9 am and stay until about noon.  Interested members could also stay for lunch at the Ginkgo Restaurant & Café.  This paint-out is informal, so there is no need to RSVP, and please feel free to come any time between 9 and noon.