Dear Friends of OPAL,

September is here! Greetings from OPAL and welcome to our newest members and newsletter subscribers, and a sincere thank you to everyone who continues to support the Oak Park Art League. Your involvement is what makes OPAL a truly welcoming space for art, connection, and creative wellbeing.

In August, our main goal was to switch our clunky registration and membership system we’ve used for 10 years to a more user friendly platform to make it easier for you to sign up for classes and memberships.
Thanks to countless hours of determined effort by our Programming Coordinator, Katrina, the update is now complete! Thank you Katrina!
Check it out and take a class, our FALL 1 classes are open for registration and classes begin on September 8th.

In August the Carriage House Gallery hosted, Breaking the Silence, a powerful exhibition of work by veterans curated by Michael Bever of the New City Art Guild. If you have not seen the exhibition, stop by the closing reception on Sunday September 6, 6-8pm

Looking ahead, we are less than two weeks away from HOUSE of OPAL, our fashion fundraising gala celebrating OPAL’s 105th anniversary!
We want you there for this memorable milestone!
Please purchase your tickets today to secure your spot at this unforgettable celebration! Can't make it in person? You can still support our mission by making a donation or purchasing tickets for our Grand Raffle, featuring a fantastic three-night vacation in Michigan.
Your ticket purchases and donations directly sustain the classes, exhibitions and community programs that keep our creative community thriving.

Whether you are brand new to OPAL or have been with us for years, your participation keeps our organization vibrant. We invite you to exhibit your art, view or purchase art, take a class, volunteer, bring a friend, or join an upcoming program to help us continue building community through art.
I hope to see you in September.

Warm regards,

Bryan Northup Grayson
Executive Director

Exhibition dates: September 11 - October 4, 2026
Artist Reception September 19, 1-3pm

Celebrating 105 years of venerable history and five generations of Oak Park Art League Artist Members, this biannual exhibition presents a curated showcase of work by OPAL's current membership.
Artist Members are invited to exhibit works that best represent their studio practice.
All media and subjects welcome: Contemporary and traditional approaches across painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital art, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics, fiber arts, and experimental work.

This exhibition honors our rich creative legacy by showcasing the diverse artistic voices that continue to shape OPAL's vibrant community.

Submission fee for 1 artwork $20.

EXHIBIT ENTRY FORM

IMPORTANT DATES

• Drop off work: Sept 3 - 6

• Submission deadline, Sept 6, 3pm

• Exhibition dates: September 11 – October 4, 2026

• Artist reception: Saturday Sept 19, 1-3pm

• Pick up artwork: Oct 4
  _____________________BECOME A MEMBER_________________
  Want to exhibit your art? Join OPAL today!
  Become an Artist Member and be part of this exhibition.
  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

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.