Dear Members and Friends,

As we celebrate the holidays and look forward to what the new year has in store, I want to express my gratitude to all of you who champion art and creative expression and contribute your time, talent, and money to support the Oak Park Art League. Whether you are a new member, regular student, long-time member or serve on the board or volunteer in some way, THANK YOU!

Our beloved organization has been going strong for over one hundred years, continuing a tradition of creating community that welcomes and acknowledges the diversity of voices and interests in making and appreciating art.

As we step into 2025, we know this is going to be more important than ever! We ask you to support OPAL during our annual year end appeal. Any gift you are able to contribute makes a vital difference and helps assure that no matter the daily stresses, OPAL will remain a resource and sanctuary for self-expression and creative community.

Please consider donating to the Oak Park Art League
as we approach Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024!

Thank you to those who have already made a donation to our annual appeal! Your contribution allows us to meet short-and-long term goals while we continue our mission of providing dynamic programming, like what you will discover below in our monthly newsletter.

Please consider donating to OPAL this giving season. We’ve made it easy to donate online, or you can mail a check or visit our historic gallery and say hello while you drop off your tax-deductible, year-end donation to OPAL.

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and New Year!
Sincerely,
Bryan Northup Grayson
Executive Director

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please note that the OPAL gallery will be closed from December 23, 2024 - January 3, 2025.
The gallery will resume regular hours on January 4, 2025.

IN THE STUDIO

Winter 1 classes will be open for registration
by mid-December

IN THE GALLERY

This year our Annual Fall Artist Member Exhibition, closes out the year by going small in a big way!

The theme is open, and the walls and pedestals are filled with an abundance of unique, small creations, perfect for giving.
This exhibition includes 158 works by 41 artists.

Be sure to stop by to see the show and shop from many wonderful original artworks that will fit anywhere, perfect for holiday giving!

EXHIBITING ARTISTS

Six, Abel Berumen, Maria Gedroc, Bryan Gammage, Angela Lombardo, Galen Garapolo, Janet Talbot, Dave Ottens, Sandra Ferguson, Teri Nalbone, Debbie Becker, Marion Sirefman, Eva Smith, Becky Brofman, John Brudek, Christine Anne Steyer, Thomas McCue, KC Weldon, Ana Vitek, Amethist Young, Bryan Northup, Geoffrey Roupas, Fran Sampson, Melanie L Minnix, Alexandra Henderson, Michele Silvetti Schmidt, Jill Kramer, Pamela Penney, Phyllis Frick, Denise Poncher, Chris Heron, Andy Swindler, Evelyn Mensah, Charles Simone, Marge Zwadlo, Richard Wagner, Michele Smalley, Adrianne Gregory, MJ Keitel, Phoebe Hurd, Diane Ponder

Exhibition dates: Nov 22 - Dec 22

In addition to this group show we are pleased to present an exhibition of our Artist in Residence, Bethany Cordero's sculptural works in the south gallery.

UP NEXT : 2 0 2 5

This time of year comes with a chance for new beginnings, new goals for the year ahead, while we carry on with all the unfinished business of last year. We have made another revolution around the sun as we face another year, art can help us focus on goals, resolve in new directions and revolt when needed. Our own historic building is undergoing some much-needed renovation and improvement, and this is what sparked the idea for all of us to share something “under construction”

This is an open call for recent artwork inspired by new beginnings with a special emphasis on works in progress.
Show your process and share something that may feel risky and unfinished.

Drop off work: Jan 4 & 5

Exhibition dates: Jan 10 - Feb 2

Opening reception: Saturday, January 11, 1pm - 4pm

Pick up work:  Feb 1 & 2

ONGOING & UPDATES

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.  

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. Through the offering of dynamic public arts programming and exhibitions, our goal is to engage the beginner to professional artist in creative practices allowing for the refinement of their creative voice.  

Board of Directors

President: Linda DeViller
Secretary: Maria Gedroc 
Teasurer: David Baker
Buildings & Grounds: Lou Thetard
Community Outreach: Margot McMahon
Mia Garcia Hills
Ginger Brent
Shira Slack

GALLERY HOURS

Thursday & Friday 1-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-4 pm
Sunday 1-4pm
Monday -Wednesday Closed or by appointment

Thank you to our generous sponsors