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Latest news from the Oak Park Art League ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Greetings, OPAL Community! Can you believe April is already here? The season is bringing with it fresh energy, exciting developments, and plenty of momentum.
Our volunteer community continues to grow, with dedicated individuals stepping up to support everything from graphic design to building caretaking, grant writing and communications, we couldn't be more grateful. Special thanks to Emma Joy for helping with this edition of our newsletter.
One of the ways OPAL weaves art into the fabric of everyday life is through satellite exhibitions and projects with partners in the community.
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Artists Jonathan Franklin, Meghan Kwong, and Bryan Northup have completed a stunning 22-foot mural in the member lounge at the West Cook YMCA. It's a testament to what happens when creativity meets community. Stop by and take a look at that and the work of Jesse Howard’s students on display. |
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As the Oak Park Art League approaches the end of our fiscal year on April 30, we’re inviting our community to help us close the year strong and prepare for an exciting milestone, our 105th anniversary.
Since 1921, OPAL has provided a welcoming home for artists and art lovers through exhibitions, accessible classes, artist residencies, and free community programs.
With government funding for the arts continuing to fall short of demand, support from individuals plays an essential role in sustaining our work.
Thanks to the generosity of our members and friends, we’ve already raised over $3,200 toward our year-end fundraising effort.
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Every contribution, large or small, helps ensure that OPAL can continue nurturing creativity, supporting artists, and serving Oak Park and surrounding communities for years to come. With Gratitude,
Bryan Northup Grayson
Executive Director
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Take a look at what is happening at OPAL in April
Thursday April 2, 6-8pm Gallery After Dark - Meet OPAL’s resident artist Elise Holowicki
April 2-5, 1-4pm, Artwork Pick Up & Drop Off for next exhibit
Saturday April 11, 1-3pm, Opening Reception - 105th Anniversary Member Exhibition
Thursday April 16, 6:30 - 8:30pm, OPAL Sip & Paint
Friday April 17, 6:30 - 9:30, Evening figure drawing sessions
Now through April 19, Donate items to the Spring Studio Sale
Wed to Fri April 22-24, Purchase during online sale
Saturday April 25, 9am-11am, in person Studio Spring Sale
Thursday April 30 midnight, BLOOM annual juried submission deadline
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Artist in ResidenceOPAL’s artist residency program welcomes Elise Holowicki, April - June 2026, who will be leading an ongoing workshop series and mural project with participants. Come meet Elise and learn about her OPAL History project and how to participate on Thursday April 2, 6-8pm, our next Gallery After Dark. |
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April 22-24, online sale
April 25th, 9-11 am in-person shop
Donate your items for the sale
(March 19 - April 19) which will be hosted at www.estatesales.net. The Spring Studio Sale includes art-making materials, finished artworks and assorted decor and household items, all benefitting OPAL. Sale is viewable now, take a look! |
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Our latest programming series offers space for creative community to meet, make, connect and share with fellow artists, in the gallery after dark, Thursday evenings, 6-8pm. We have been on an Outer Space tour, experienced art therapy and made protest signs most lately.
Check out what’s coming |
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This is where you will find opportunities we come across or that come in especially to be shared with the OPAL artist community. Find out about exhibition opportunities, our 2027 retreat to Umbria Italy, internship opportunities, and more. |
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NEW! Experimental Ephemera: Creative Reuse in Painting, Collage, and Mixed Media
with Brianna Perry Monday 4:00 - 6:00pm
BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
with Jesse Howard Tuesday 10am - 12pm The Art of Line
with Jan Zhou Tuesday 2026 1pm - 3pm. EXPLORING OIL PAINTING
with Julie Sulzen Tuesday 6:30 - 8:30pm. WATERCOLOR BASICS
with Tony Armendariz Wednesday 10am-12pm PASTEL PAINTING
with Mike Barret Kolasinki Wednesday 1pm - 3pm BEGINNING TO ADVANCED DRAWING
with Jess Howard Wednesday 7pm - 9pm WORKING WITH MIXED MEDIA - EXPERIMENT, PLAY, CREATE
with Jackie Lakely Friday 1-3pm WORKING WITH MIXED MEDIA - EXPERIMENT, PLAY, CREATE
with Jackie Lakely Friday 4-6pm PERSPECTIVE FOR ARTISTS
with Richard Sheppard Monday 6:30-8:30pm
This is a 3-WEEK COURSE 4/27, 5/4, & 5/11
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OPAL Sip & Paint
with Eleana Daniel
Thursday April 16, 6:30 - 8:30pm Join us for a delightful two-hour painting session led by a talented OPAL artist instructor. Immerse yourself in the creative process of finishing a themed work of art while enjoying your favorite beverage. Open to all experience levels. Make new friends or bring your crew! |
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Meet OPAL’s resident artist Elise Holowicki Join us Thursday April 2, 6-8pm for an introduction to multidisciplinary artist Elise Holowicki and chat about her workshop series culminating in a public art mural in OPAL’s courtyard to help mark our 105 anniversary.
Join us for this free artist talk. No charge, RSVP |
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Figure DrawingWork on your figure drawing skills at your own pace
in our three hour, non-instructional sessions.
Thursday, 9am - noon: Long Pose
Friday, 6:30 - 9:30pm - COMING April 17
Sunday, 10am - 1pm: Quick Sketch The first two sessions of each month, models are clothed so younger artists can draw.
See our full figure drawing schedule for April
and register here, Pre-registration is required
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There is still time to see what our students create up in the studio in the OPAL Student Showcase, on view until April 5th, Easter Sunday. Up next is the 105th Anniversary Member Spring Exhibition. Celebrating 105 years of venerable history and generations of Oak Park Art League Artist Members, this biannual exhibition presents a curated showcase of work by OPAL's current membership. This exhibition honors our rich legacy while showcasing the diverse artistic voices that continue to shape OPAL's vibrant community. Artist Members are invited to exhibit works that best represent their studio practice. Want to be part of the show? Join OPAL today! Become an Artist Member and be part of our next showcase. OPAL membership connects you with a century-long tradition of artistic excellence and community support.
Membership benefits include: exhibition opportunities, artist community and networking, reduced entry and class fees
Reduced Submission fee: 1 artwork - $15.
Please fill out the entry form online Important Dates Drop off work: April 2 - 5
Submission deadline, APR 5, 3pm
Exhibition dates: April 10 – May 3, 2026
Reception: Saturday, April 11, 1-3pm
Pick up: May 3, 7, 8
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Current Micro Show MARS MYTHOS TRIPARTITE Heather Lowe |
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The Oak Park Art League is once again offering artists a chance to display their work outside our main gallery, in local businesses we have partnered with to provide more exposure for artists.
Jesse Howard’s students work
on view through April 8th. |
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We invite contemporary artists to explore the timeless yet ever-evolving relationship between humanity and the botanical world in BLOOM: Art of Flowers, Foliage & Fruit. This juried exhibition, submission deadline
Thursday April 30, midnight. |
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Perfect for coffee, tea, or anything else—sturdy, glossy, vivid print; microwave- and dishwasher-safe. • 15 oz: 4.7″ H × 3.3″
Made to order; longer delivery. On-demand production reduces waste—thank you. $24.00
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In a world overwhelmed by troubling news, OPAL remains a vital ‘third space’—a refuge where you can immerse yourself in art-making, take a meaningful break from reality to benefit your wellness, and connect with a supportive community.
As funding for arts and nonprofits continues to decline, your membership and support is more crucial than ever.
Join us in safeguarding this historic, creative sanctuary—renew your membership today and help ensure OPAL thrives for everyone who needs it. Thank you!
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Oak Park Art League Founded in 1921, OPAL is one of the longest, continually-running nonprofit arts organizations in Illinois, fulfilling its mission by offering high-quality art education, lectures, artist demonstrations, critiques, and monthly exhibitions in our historic gallery. Our Mission The Oak Park Art League's mission is to be a welcoming center of artistic inquiry, creative expression and art appreciation in Oak Park and the surrounding communities. Board of Directors
President: David Baker
Vice President: Mia Garcia Hills
Secretary: Ginger Brent
Treasurer: Shira Slack
Directors:
Margot McMahon Barbara McClure
Dave Palomares Colleen Campbell Staff
Bryan Northup Grayson, Executive Director
Michael Cuadrado Gonzalez, Programming Coordinator
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GALLERY HOURS Thursday & Friday 1-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-4 pm
Sunday 1-4pm
Monday -Wednesday Closed or by appointment
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Land Acknowledgement
Each exhibition, program and class associated with the Oak Park Art League (OPAL) takes place on the traditional homelands of the Council of Three Fires - the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa -
as well as the Menominee, Miami, and Ho-Chunk Nations.
OPAL recognizes that the region we now call Chicago and Oak Park was the traditional homeland of many Indigenous nations,
and remains home to diverse Native people today. The land we walk was, and remains Native land.
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Thank you to our generous sponsors
Oak Park Art League is partially funded by the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Village of Oak Park, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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