Beat the winter blaahs! The Oak Park Art League is transforming its Carriage House Gallery into an artistic winter “hot house” as a retreat from the cold & grey of the deep winter months. This exhibit will celebrate the vibrant floral colors that spring and early summer bring upon arrival.

OPAL is looking for representational and abstract works that depict the artist’s interpretation of a botanical oasis. Drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, photography, ceramics, fiber, glass, and sculpture will be accepted. Any artist wishing to submit film or video, please inquire about our available projection system before the drop off deadline.

All work must have been completed within the past 3 years and not exhibited at OPAL before.

Artwork size is limited to 48” in its largest dimension.

Limit of two submissions per artist.

All work must be ready to hang. No sawtooth hangers will be accepted.

Exhibition Judge: Shilin Hora

Bio:  Growing Up Outdoors:  Shilin Hora’s childhood was spent navigating between the neighboring peach orchard, grape vineyard, and corn field in St. Joseph, Michigan. As a teen she worked for her grandfather as a hired-hand on his blackberry farm and Christmas tree farm. She remembers then being drawn to the magnificent micro world of botany that she still knows and loves today. Developing Craft Undergraduate fine art studies took her inside the sculpture and
printmaking studio at Grand Valley State University (B.F.A. 2001), where she developed her craft as a trained botanical artist.

Community Engagement:  In 2007 she founded Grow Studio, a youth and families outreach program facilitating workshops that explore dendrology, fine arts and the practice of observing and exploring nature in urban environments.

Botanical Artist:   For over a decade Shilin has been well known internationally for her fine art collection called Botanical Boxes where she showcases the historical, scientific, artistic, and cultural importance of the seed. The Boxes exhibit a unique blend between natural history specimen collection and fine art museum display. Shilin leads folks back to an appreciation and reverence for nature through her fascinating botanical artworks. Her dedication to craft and curating content that speaks about nature’s value is what makes her most proud and it’s what sets her apart from others.

View the Botanical Boxes at www.shilinhora.com

Drop off work: January 27th – 29th

Exhibition dates: February 1 – 24th

Opening reception: February 11th – 7-9pm

Pick up work: February 25th, 26th and March 1st.

Cost per submission:

Members: $20 first piece, $15 second piece

Non-members $30 first piece, $20, second piece