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Latest news from the Oak Park Art League ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Greetings OPAL Community!
I hope you’re finding time to create in 2026. Thank you to our current members, and a warm welcome to new and renewing members — your support matters! In a world full of unsettling news, your OPAL membership helps sustain a safe space for art-making and connection. It preserves opportunities to step away from daily stress, spend an hour or two immersed in creativity, and find community with others who value the same. Keep that momentum going — renew or upgrade your membership, join a class or workshop, or bring a friend to your next session. Your continued support keeps OPAL thriving for everyone. We appreciate all those who came to our Meet the Board event on February 11 where we shared updates about what is coming up in 2026. You can find details about our plans here. Our OPAL Community Survey is still live and we would like your input to help the board and staff better serve members and the community.
We offer a variety of events and ongoing programs, see details below, and more will be added in the coming months. 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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Take a look at what is happening at OPAL in March Thursday March 5, 6-8pm Gallery After Dark - Digital Marketing for Artists & Crafters Workshop with Dave Palomares
Sat & Sun March 7 & 8, 1-4pm, Artwork Pick Up & Drop Off for next exhibit
Thursday March 12, 6-8pm, Gallery After Dark - Art Therapy: A Discussion and Demonstration with Kathy Osler
Saturday March 14, 1-3pm Opening Reception for OPAL Student Showcase
Feb 15, SPRING 1 Adult Class Session starts
Thursday March 26, 6-8pm, Gallery After Dark - Make your protest sign for No Kings!
Saturday March 28 - Gallery Closed (No Kings Protest)
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Thank you to those of you who have taken a moment to share your thoughts.
We would like more input so please take a moment to give feedback about their experience at the Oak Park Art League if you have not already. The information you provide will help OPAL strategize for the future, secure more funding for programming and |
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OPAL’s artist residency program welcomes Elise Holowicki, April - June 2026 who will be leading an ongoing workshop series and mural project with participants. |
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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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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 will include gently used art-making |
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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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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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David Baker is an arts enthusiast with academic credentials in both electrical engineering and television production. His career spans the technical and creative realms of television, reflecting a lifelong love and commitment to integrating artistry with innovation. David has been on the OPAL board since 2018 serving as Treasurer and grant writer and stepped into his current role at the end of 2025. |
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When everything feels uncertain, making something with your hands brings you back. There's rhythm in the repetition, agency in the process and something quietly healing about creating in the middle of chaos. Register a class in our upcoming Spring 1 Class Session Spring 1: March 15th - April 18th
Sign up early to save on Registration Fees |
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Introduction to Ideas + Methods in Abstract Painting
with Eleana Daniel Sunday, 2pm - 4pm No-Mordant Natural Dyes: Kakishibu, Tea, Iron Buff and Indigo with Elaine Luther Monday, 10am -12pm
Unraveling the Complexity of Travel Sketching
with Richard Sheppard Monday, 6pm - 8pm
BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
with Jesse Howard Tuesday, 10am - 12pm
EXPLORING OIL PAINTING
with Julie Sulzen Tuesday, 6:30 - 8:30pm WATERCOLOR BASICS
with Tony Armendariz Wednesday, 10am -12pm 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, 1pm - 3 pm Working With Mixed Media - Experiment, Play & Create
with Jackie Lakely Friday, 1pm - 3pm Working With Mixed Media - Experiment, Play & Create
with Jackie Lakely Friday, 4pm - 6pm
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OPAL Sip & Paint
with Eleana Daniel
Thursday March 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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Thursday March 26, 6-8pm
Make your protest sign for No Kings! |
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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 March
and register here, Pre-registration is required
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BEING HUMAN :Figure & Portrait Exhibition closes Sunday March 8
Artwork Pick Up & Drop Off is March 7 & 8 UP NEXT:
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The Oak Park Art League celebrates emerging talent with works created in our historic classroom studio and taught by award winning artist instructors.
Our OPAL Student Showcase, highlights the creativity, vision, and artistic development of student artists of all ages and skill levels creating in our studio class room as well as work by OPAL teaching faculty.
This showcase provides a supportive platform for student artists to share their work, connect with the community, and celebrate the vital role of art education. |
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Current Micro Show AERIAL
Jacqueline Rueckert Lakely |
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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. |
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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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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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