The Oak Park Art League is rolling out the red carpet again this year for HOUSE of OPAL 2026,
our fashion themed fundraiser, this time at The Nineteenth Century Club!

We are taking last year’s theme further down the runway and hosting a bigger fashion show as the centerpiece of the evening. Expect good food and drink, silent auction and raffle as well as a chance to dress for fashion week in one of our three categories

Due to the HOUSE of OPAL fundraiser, the gallery is closed today

A month ago, Breaking the Silence opened its doors for the first time. Since then, veterans, families, and visitors have walked through this gallery and sat with the work. Join us for one last evening with the exhibition at the @oakparkartleague before it comes down.

Sunday Sep 6, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

OPAL’s Gallery After Dark, welcomes professional and veteran artist Michael Bever gets you started on the basics of observational sketching, then set you loose. Choose a piece in the show that pulls you in, find a spot, and sit with it. No group pace, no shared subject, just you, a sketchbook, and whatever in the room speaks to you.

A special thank you to Wounded Warrior Project for partnering with us on this event.

Thursday Aug 20, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Transitioning from summer to fall—harvest poems, endings and beginnings

Our seasonal poetry readings invite Oak Park and Chicago area poets to share their work in a welcoming, creative environment.

Join us for an afternoon of artist talks, a chance to hear directly from the veterans whose work fills the gallery followed byOPAL’s poetry reading, open to all.

Sunday, August 16 | 12–2 PM Artist Talks, 2–4 PM Poetry Reading

Join us for the first night of a month-long exhibition of veteran-made work. Come see the show and meet the artists who made it.

Saturday Aug 8, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Inspired by the poems of Aldo Roda (Homage to Joseph Beuys, 20th Anniversary of the Defense of Nature) and the visual poetry of Mirella Bentivoglio, this experimental workshop uses poetry as a bridge between our bodies and the environments we live in. The main goal is to step closer to nature and create our own living poems.
FREE to participate, please register for a spot.

Thursday July 23, 6-8pm

Join us to learn about transforming everyday plastics into art with artists Bryan Northup and Linda Dunbar. This is part talk, demo and hands on maker session. We’ll revisit our 2025 series and see what we’ve been up with our current exhibit at Maze Library for the month of July.

The Oak Park Art League will be at the Oak Park Farmer’s Market, holding a Bake Sale fundraiser on JULY 18, 2026.

Help bake or assist the day of the event. Thank you!

Happy Birthday USA! Sport your patriotism by joining OPAL in marching in this year’s annual 4th of July parade. Bring good walking shoes, water, and a love of ART!

OPAL is on the walk! Come see our outdoor courtyard and juried exhibition Bloom: Art of Flowers, Foliage & Fruit

Join us to meet the artists and see the exhibition.

We will be at Scoville Park with live figure model drawing and art making activities. Stop by and share the fun!

Celebrating mothers in all forms—poems of gratitude, memory, and maternal bonds

Our seasonal poetry readings invite Oak Park and Chicago area poets to share their work in a welcoming, creative environment.

Join us to meet the artists and see the exhibition.

Join us to meet the artists and see the exhibition.

Saturday April 25, 9-11am
Come to the in-person sale at OPAL to shop what’s left and the items not listed online.

Join us to meet the artists and see the exhibition.

Meet OPAL's resident artist Elise Holowicki 

Join us Thursday April 2, 6-8pm for an introduction to multidisciplinary artist Elise Holowicki and chat about her workshop series culminating in a public art mural in OPAL’s courtyard to help mark our 105 anniversary

Join us for this free artist talk. No charge.

RSVP

In Solidarity with NO KINGS protest we will close for the day.
Go make your voice heard!

Make your protest sign for No Kings!

Thursday March 26, 6-8pm

We are hosting a get together to create a new or another protest sign to use at the upcoming No Kings Protest on Saturday March 28.

Join us for this free maker meet up. Free to attend Materials provided. Donations are welcome. RSVP

OPAL Sip & Paint

Thursday March 19, 6:30 - 8:30pm

with Eleana Daniel

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!

Join us to meet the artists and see the exhibition.