OPAL has hosted many artist talks over the decades, both by artists and by individuals in related fields of interest to the visual art community. Talks are a great way to share information with our interested member body with the goal of improving our individual art practices. Talks offer another learning opportunity and a chance to connect at OPAL.

What if you were invited to exhibit at EXPO Chicago? What one work would you want to show?

For our 104th Anniversary Spring Member’s Exhibition, this is what we invite all active Artist Members to bring. The hanging fee is reduced to $15. for one work.

Mike Barett Kolasinski is our ever popular Pastel Painting instructor at OPAL! Read more about his practice and his class in this months Instructor Spotlight.

Join OPALGA+ on Wednesday April 23, 7-9pm for a special storytelling event

Welcome Michael Cuadrado to OPAL staff as Programming Coordinator!

SOUVENIRS

Nancy Wisti Grayson

OPAL’s Annual Figure and Portrait exhibition, POSE! showcases a diverse spectrum of work based on the human form yet pushing the boundaries of how we depict ourselves and the bodies we inhabit.

Michael Cuadrado Gonzalez is one of our newest instructors at OPAL! Read more about his practice and his class in this months Instructor Spotlight.

Saturday, March 8th, 2025, 1:30pm
The Cabinet of Secret Art will be closing and the contents will be exhibited by artist Betsy Zacsek one last time at the closing of the show at 1:30 pm. Seating is limited, ticketing/RSVP this performance through Eventbrite with a suggested donation of $10./person.

The next round of #The100DayProject starts February 23, 2025.
OPAL will support those participating with our #100dayprojectOPAL on social media and a meet up midway through and wrap up and review meeting. Check out what we did last year and join in!

In the digital age the QR code has become a staple of everyday life; in restaurants, bars, museums, classrooms, your doctor’s office, and on the street. We have certainly put them to use at OPAL to link you to our website. There is an element of mystery about the QR code, on its face, each looks nearly identical to the last, while its content on the inside changes dramatically with each one. It is a portal from in-person to digital realms.

Julie Sulzen has been teaching at OPAL as our resident oil painting instructor for the past 3 years.
We are very fortunate to have Julie teaching with us and creating a community of oil painters along the way.

Here is the latest lineup of workshops scheduled at OPAL. Check out the details and sign up early as these are one-time offerings.

OPAL is starting off 2025 with a new community connection and a wonderful partnership with Kribi CoffeeAir Rostery. When you stop by OPAL during our weekend hours (1-4pm) to check out the gallery and see what art awaits, you can grab a free cup of Kribi’s amazing air-roasted coffee.

Painting by Ana Vitek

Come shop in person in a new gift shop tucked in the corner of the Carriage House Gallery and filled with original handmade art and objects created locally. Discover new OPAL designs on swag you can wear and use to spread the word about the Oak Park Art League and help raise funds for our beloved organization.

Jess Howard has been teaching drawing at OPAL for 15 years this January! And we’re all the better for it!

Sundays 10am - 1pm & Thursdays 9am - noon

There are now two figure sessions per week for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!

Sketches by Christopher Heron

If you’ve been curious about OPAL’s founder Carl R. Krafft and details of his life as an artist, I encourage you to check out the webspace and buy a copy of the book.

Happy New Year! OPAL’s first exhibition of 2025 is Under Construction.
This is an open call for recent artwork inspired by new beginnings with a special emphasis on works in progress. Show your process and share something that may feel risky and unfinished.

Please note ~ Opening reception:
Saturday, January 11, 1pm - 4pm

Ring! Ring!

Check our messages here and see where you can engage at OPAL and make it an even more vibrant art community! As a not-for-profit, OPAL relies on volunteers to help with programming.