Dear Friends of OPAL,

October greetings! Welcome to our newest members and newsletter subscribers. Your involvement is what makes OPAL a truly unique and welcoming space for art, connection, and creative well-being.

In September our big event was HOUSE of OPAL and we are so thankful for each and every one of you who attended, donated and helped OPAL celebrate 105 years! If you missed the evening, we have added photos to the website for you to see. Our Fall Member Exhibit opened a week later and 50 artists submitted their best work. The show is on view through Sunday, Oct 4, so stop by to check it out!

Looking ahead, we have a big show about micro art closing out the 2026 calendar. Barely There: micro art showcase will be on view through Sunday, December 20. The gallery will be full of many tiny treasures during this 10-week-long show, so we hope you’ll stop and maybe you’ll find something new to add your art collection.
We also launched our Fall 2 Class Session calendar, so please read on to find out more.

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

Warm regards,

Bryan Northup Grayson
Executive Director

Exhibition dates: October 9 - December 20, 2026
Artist Reception October 10, 1-3pm

How small can you work and still maintain your style? After last year’s Microcosm Exhibit, you know what to expect! Think dollhouse meets fine art gallery! Can you capture your artistic vision in miniature while creating an immersive viewing experience? Challenge accepted!
This unique exhibition is timed so that tiny art (4" or smaller, .25” thickness ) can be purchased as holiday gifts and will feature individual mini solo shows in box galleries, micro collections on the wall and a TINY TIN community art salon.
All art forms welcome: painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, photography, fiber arts, ceramics—get creative with scale!
Artwork must be family friendly and pricing for holiday gifting is encouraged.
As with all our exhibitions, the gallery retains 40% on sales, so price accordingly.

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

• Mini solo box gallery - Each artist creates their own miniature gallery experience inside a 12" x 12" x 12" (or 12" x 16" x 12") box gallery + 1 16x20 work that relates to the micro show.

• Micro collection - You may choose to submit a collection of micro work (up to 9 pieces) to be mounted on the gallery walls.

• TINY TIN community art salon - We have 105 tins, one for each year OPAL has existed.
  Transform the provided tin into your own miniature masterpiece. Create in whatever media you choose.
  SALES: If you would like to sell your tin all works priced by the artist at either $50. or $100., artists receive 60% if sold.

PARTICIPATION FEES:
$50. for micro box gallery, limited number available
$25. for micro collection for the wall, up to 9 works
$10. for a tiny tin
If you would like to sell your work all works priced by artists at either $50. or $100., artists receive 60% if sold

IMPORTANT DATES & GUIDELINES:

• Deliver work to gallery & pay participation fee
  October 1 - 4, gallery hours

• Exhibition dates: October 9 –  December 20, 2026 (10 week run) Ongoing community participation and inclusion of mini works in the exhibit through Nov 28

• ALL work will be on display through Sunday Nov 29,
  sold works may be picked up Sunday Nov 29, unsold works remain on display through Dec 20

• Opening Reception: Oct 10, 1-3pm
  Closing Reception: Dec 13, 1-3pm

• Makers workshops and meet the artist talks throughout

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.