Creating community
through art since 1921

OPAL NEWS

Featured
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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

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Winter fun in the Studio!
Winter fun in the Studio!

Our 5-week studio sessions run year-round, back-to-back. Those in the know make sure they sign up for a class to get lots of personal attention from our award-winning professional artist instructors.

In 2025 we are launching our sessions with more time to sign up, but don’t delay, spots are still limited by our space. Winter 1 & 2 sessions are live on our site and you can sign up now to make sure you get your spot.

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OPAL CALLING!
OPAL CALLING!

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.

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2025 Exhibition Schedule
2025 Exhibition Schedule

Perhaps you’ve been waiting to see what is planned for the Carriage House Gallery in the coming year? Wait no longer. OPAL has a newly formed Exhibition Committee that has labored over the coming line-up and we hope this selection of calls will give plenty of prompts for art-making and opportunities to share your artwork with the community.

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OPAL asks for your support
OPAL asks for your support

Please consider donating to the Oak Park Art League this giving season. Our Annual Appeal runs through the end of 2024

You can feel good supporting local art and creatives with a tax-deductible gift to OPAL.
We made it easy to donate online, or you can mail a check, or visit our historic gallery and say hello while you drop off your year-end donation to OPAL. Thank you!

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Artist In Residence: Bethany Cordero
Artist In Residence: Bethany Cordero

OPAL is honored to host multi-media sculptor and Oak Parker, Bethany Cordero as our artist-in-residence through December 2024. You can seen her sculpture exhibit in the gallery through the end of 2024.

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Crochet Coral CLUB
Crochet Coral CLUB

JOIN US!
Starting in January 2025, OPAL invites anyone interested in creating coral-shaped forms out of crocheted plastic to our monthly ‘make something’ meet-ups.

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LITTLE x LITTLE
LITTLE x LITTLE

This year our Annual Fall Artist Member Exhibition, closes out the year by going small in a big way!

Please note ~ Opening reception:
Saturday, November 30th, 1pm - 4pm

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Workshop Drop
Workshop Drop

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

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Take a Class In the Studio

Featured
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Clothed Model
Jan 5
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Clothed Model
W1 - BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
Jan 7
W1 - BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
W1 - PASTEL PAINTING
Jan 8
W1 - PASTEL PAINTING
W1- BEGINNING TO ADVANCED DRAWING
Jan 8
W1- BEGINNING TO ADVANCED DRAWING
W1 - EXPLORING OIL PAINTING
Jan 9
W1 - EXPLORING OIL PAINTING
W1 - EXPLORING OIL PAINTING
Jan 9
W1 - EXPLORING OIL PAINTING
W1 - Basic Acrylic Painting
Jan 10
W1 - Basic Acrylic Painting
W1 - Experimental Painting: Color, Form, and Meaning
Jan 10
W1 - Experimental Painting: Color, Form, and Meaning
W2 - Invisible Ties: Assembling Memory into Presence 
Feb 10
W2 - Invisible Ties: Assembling Memory into Presence 
W2 - BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
Feb 11
W2 - BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
W2- WATERCOLOR BASICS
Feb 12
W2- WATERCOLOR BASICS
W2 - PASTEL PAINTING
Feb 12
W2 - PASTEL PAINTING

Carriage House Gallery

Founded in 1921, the Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is one of the longest, continually running non-profit arts organizations in Illinois. 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. Through the offering of dynamic public arts programming and exhibitions, our goal is to engage the beginner to professional artist in creative practices allowing for the refinement of their creative voice.

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.