OAK PARK ART LEAGUE | NOVEMBER NEWS

Hello OPAL community,

Hard to believe, but November is here! I hope this message finds you well and that you find a little respite from the stresses of the day here in this newsletter and at the Oak Park Art League.
Since my last news update we’ve had some wonderful, yet short-lived pop-up events at OPAL that I hope you got a chance to experience.

The Groundwater collective is four amazing artists Galen Garapolo, Jacqueline Rueckert Lakely, Kelly Donahugh, and Mary Jo Parker O’Hearn, and their pop-up exhibit was a joy to behold. Hopefully you were able to see the gallery filled with over 120 works and grab one for your wall at home.

We had a great day on October 19th with our pop-up maker’s market and a day full of activities that was the perfect way to welcome fall and share some spooky creativity. Thank you to all the vendors and volunteers who helped make the day a success. Don’t miss the Haunted Hayloft next year!

Also, we have a new roof and more improvements to the building on the way in 2025!
Please check out the reminders of what is upcoming in November and join us! Share OPAL with your friends and invite them along!

Thank you,
Bryan Northup
Executive Director

UPCOMING EVENTS

All in for ART ~ Adult Night Out

Saturday Nov 9th, 7-9pm

Here's a perfect opportunity for adults to indulge in some creative fun and for a great cause at "All in for Art" on Saturday, Nov 9 from 7-9pm. The event is in support of youth art programming for St. Angela School in Chicago's Austin neighborhood. Hosts are the Oak Park Art League (OPAL), By Discovery Creative Arts Studio and Friendly's Community in Berwyn. With a suggested donation of $50 (or whatever is comfortable) participants can choose one of 4 different art workshops led by passionate local artists, to attend on Nov 9th.

You might be wondering where the LAUGHS IN THE GALLERY Comedy Night event went.
We’ve decided to postpone this series until 2025.
Look for more details in future newsletters.

IN THE STUDIO

Shout out to our Instructors!

Congrats to OPAL Pastel Instructor

Mike Barret Kolasinski
CPP-M, IAPS-MC, PSA, ASMA
is honored to have his WildScape
Streamsicle
receive the
Central Massachusetts Pastel Society Award
in the It’s Pastel! 16th Annual National Juried Show

Pastel Society of New Hampshire

at the

Discover Portsmouth Center

until November 23, 2024

Take a class with Mike

Congrats to OPAL Drawing Instructor

Jesse Howard on his solo exhibition
"The Emerging of a Black Diaspora," by Jesse Howard,
now on view through Novmeber 22 at Lewis University Art Gallery.

Take a class with Jesse

Workshop DROP

Here is the latest lineup of workshops scheduled at OPAL. Check out the details and sign up early as these are one-time offerings with limited spots.

Weekly Figure Drawing

Sundays 10am - 1pm
Thursdays 9am - noon

There are now two figure sessions per week for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Pre-registration required.

Teen Figure Drawing

First Sunday of each month, OPAL figure sessions will feature a clothed model. These sessions are scheduled so younger artists can participate in figure drawing.
Open to teens 12+

Our studio is the beneficiary of two new rolling display walls that have already been put to use for showing works in progress in our classes. Isaiah Ruehle-May designed and built these walls just for OPAL as his Eagle Scout Project. Thank you, Isaiah!

IN THE GALLERY

Now through November 15, stop by and see our juried exhibition Art for Social Change: STOP MOTION The Power of Cartoon and Animation, which showcases artists’ interpretation of cartoon, animation and politically timely and responsive artworks on the eve of this important election.
Richard Laurent served as our juror, his selections are below. We are also featuring a selection of original works and prints by Keith J. Taylor.

Congratulations to the judge’s selections!

1st place - Devon Bell for animated short Burnt
2nd place - Kathy Hirsh for Beauty Contest
3rd place - Eric Semelroth for Mad Whitey

Honorable Mentions -
Jonathan Franklin, Bob Blinn & Jennifer Hauser

EXHIBITING ARTISTS

Maeve Terranova, Devin Bell, Jonathan Franklin, Kathy Hirsh, Lila Englehardt, Hugo Garcia, Pamela Penney, Fran Sampson, Bob Blinn, Jennifer Hauser, Eric Semelroth

Thank you to the exhibition sponsor
Kim Fideler Robinson & Kevin Robinson

UP NEXT!

This year our Annual Fall Artist Member Exhibition, closes out the year by going small in a big way!
This exhibit is open to all current Artist Members.
All media is welcome, 2D, 3D and video. The theme is open, and the vision is to fill the walls and pedestals with an abundance of unique, small creations, perfect for giving.
- Size is limited to 8” in its largest dimension.
- Up to 6 submissions per artist, $6.ea, entry fee
- People’s Choice Award
- An online exhibition of works on OPAL's website.

Drop off work: Nov 16, 19- 20

Exhibition dates: Nov 22 - Dec 22

Please note ~ Opening reception:
Saturday, November 30th, 1pm - 4pm

ONGOING & UPDATES

OPAL Shop

Discover new OPAL designs on swag you can wear and use to spread the word about the Oak Park Art League and help raise funds for our beloved organization. Find original artworks too!

SHOP HERE

Adopt a Chair

As a way to raise funds for more seating and gallery improvements, OPAL is starting an adoption opportunity for our brand-new chairs. For $25. you can adopt a chair and add your name and website link to the back.

READ MORE

Roof work update

The first phase of our state grant-funded building renovation, the tear-off and replacement of our 40-year-old roof is nearly completed. Check out the progress pictures.

MORE PHOTOS

Host your event at OPAL

The Oak Park Art League is a unique space suitable for hosting a variety of events, from birthday, showers, meetings, photo shoots and more. We are now renting OPAL for outside events through Peerspace.

LEARN MORE

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

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