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Latest news from the Oak Park Art League ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Greetings OPAL Community!
In the face of all that is breaking, we keep making. Because by creating art we also create time to be at peace and escape to where we can process and express all that is coming at us. OPAL is the space for that, and has been for 105 years! Above are some moments from January’s Gallery After Dark events and the reception for Of the Moment Photo Contest at OPAL. We are changing, all of us, all the time, and what is in store for the Oak Park Art League this year is so exciting! We have too much to share to fit into a newsletter, so be sure to attend our first of two OPAL community meetings, February 11, 6-8pm. At this meeting we share the significance of 2026 for OPAL and what is in store for the facility and all who are engaged with our programming. All are welcome!
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Stop by the gallery, take a class and find some warmth and art in the heart of Oak Park. Warm Regards,
Bryan Northup Grayson
Executive Director
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We are deeply saddened to share news of the sudden and tragic passing of Lucia Anderson on January 3, 2026
Lucia had been an active member and student at OPAL since 2016, and she had an insatiable passion for making art.
Our hearts are filled with sorrow for all her loved ones |
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Take a look at what is happening at OPAL in February Sat & Sun Feb 7 & 8, 1-4pm, Artwork Pick Up & Drop Off for next exhibit
Feb 8, WINTER 2 Adult Class Session starts
Wednesday Feb 11, 6-8pm OPAL @ 105 - Meet the Board evening
Saturday Feb 14, 1-4pm Opening Reception for Being Human exhibition
Sunday Feb 15, 2-4p Poetry Reading AFTERGLOW
Thursday Feb 26, 6-8pm, Gallery After Dark, Spaced Out Art
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Mark your calendar,
Wednesday Feb 11, 6-8pm
There are changes coming and we have news to share!
Anyone who is interested is encouraged to attend to meet the OPAL Board of Directors and Staff and learn what is in store for our 105th year.
Join us for important updates on ongoing projects and share your thoughts. please attend, RSVP here! |
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In 2026 we are creating a new series where our creative community can meet, make, connect and share with fellow artists, in the gallery after dark, Thursday evenings, 6-8pm. Check out what’s coming |
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A Year of Poetry Commemorating 105 Years of Oak Park Art League In honor of Oak Park Art League's 105th anniversary, we're dedicating 2026 to the art of poetry. Join us for a year-long celebration that bridges visual and literary arts through readings, workshops, and creative collaboration. Our First Reading AFTERGLOW
is Sunday Feb 15, 2-4pm, RSVP |
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This is where you will find all the opportunities we come across or that come in especially to be shared with the OPAL artist community. |
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Each newsletter will highlight a volunteer from OPAL’s Board of Directors and their support of the organization. The board is expanding and planning for 2026 and beyond. To help OPAL’s mission, we are forming committees, each led by a board member. We are looking for volunteers to join committees like Building & Grounds, Education, Marketing & Membership, Fundraising and more. If you would like to help OPAL, contact us to learn more about serving on a committee.
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Mia is a trained artist, educator, trauma-informed yoga teacher and activist scholar. Mia is leading the charge on grant writing and researching funding opportunities for OPAL.
Her work in and beyond the studio often draws on her various areas of interest, which allows her to integrate mindful movement, creativity and critical reflection. |
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Winter 2: February 8th - March 14th
Sign up this week to save on Registration Fees |
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Weaving Form: Sculpture with Wire, Textiles, Paper, and Drawing with Bethany Cordero Monday, 4pm - 6pm BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
with Jesse Howard Tuesday, 10am - 12pm Unraveling the Complexity of Travel Sketching
with Richard Sheppard Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:00pm EXPLORING OIL PAINTING
with Julie Sulzen Tuesday, 6:30 - 8:30pm PASTEL PAINTING
with Mike Barret Kolasinski Wednesday, 1pm-3pm BEGINNING TO ADVANCED DRAWING
with Jesse Howard Wednesday, 7pm - 9pm Relief Printing
with Alexandra Blom Thursday, 1:00 - 3:00 pm Blue Printing Cyanotypes: Photographs and Text
with Elaine Luther Thursday, 4pm-6pm Introduction to Ideas + Methods in Abstract Painting
with Eleana Daniel Friday, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
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OPAL Sip & Paint
with Eleana Daniel
Thursday February 19, 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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The first two sessions of each month, models are clothed so younger artists can draw.
See our full figure drawing schedule for January
and register here, Pre-registration is required
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Revolutions/Resolutions closes Sunday February 8
Artwork Pick Up & Drop Off is Feb 7 & 8 UP NEXT:
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Exhibition Judge: Lenin DelSol
In an age of digital connection and physical distance, how do we capture and portray what makes us most human? What does it mean to be human in this moment and how can art portray this? Through figure and portrait, artists have long explored the complexity of human experience—our vulnerabilities, connections, contradictions, and resilience.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Sunday FEB 8, 4pm |
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The Oak Park Art League is offering members a chance to display their work outside our main gallery, in local businesses we have partnered with.
Sign up to exhibit your art!
We are now accepting submissions for future slots at community business partners, Prairie Title Company, West Cook YMCA.
Coming up in February -
Jesse Howard’s Drawing Students at West Cook YMCA |
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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 celebra |
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The themed exhibition calls for art have been announced! Check out what will be coming to the Carriage House Gallery in 2026. |
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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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