Events
About Our Events and Open Programs
Events and Programs

Watch for details on offerings, programs and events here.
On the third Monday of every month from September through April (except December), the DuPage Art League offers free programs that are open to the public. Artists and experts connected with the arts do demonstrations, give talks, and share their secrets. These are fun, relaxed, and casual opportunities to mingle with fellow artists and learn something new and include refreshments.
The Wheaton Library (225 N. Cross St. Wheaton, IL [630-668-1374]), hosts our Monday Night Programs. Their large meeting room in the basement has easy access by an elevator next to front door. Our programs run from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. *** Currently, our programs are on Zoom ***
No Monday Night Programs in December, May, June, July, or August
*The Monday night programs are FREE to both members and non-members, so invite a friend to join!
Art Demo: Still Life in Pastel, Monday, Apr. 18 • 6:30 pm
Mary Ann Trzyna - Soft Pastels
She will discuss materials and techniques, including thumbnail studies to understand composition and value, and employing underpainting techniques on sanded pastel paper. Bring your questions about the delightful medium of pastels!
To watch previously recorded: Click here
Art Demo: Passionate Pastels, Monday, Mar. 21 • 6:30 pm
Mike Kolasinski - 13 Fundamental Elements to Produce Images
Working from a photo reference, pastel artist Mike Kolasinski will discuss and demonstrate his 13 fundamental elements to produce images with visual excitement and passion. Finding inspiration in nature’s light and shadow in the beauty of everyday, undisturbed scenes, he creates boldly expressive compositions. Mike begins with soft pastels and builds up the intensity with layers of bright, pure colors. In seeking to understand the philosophy of nature as a whole and integral part of ourselves, he is a visual activist for the natural world.
To Register: https://bit.ly/3HGCJvR
Art Demo: Design & Composition Monday, Feb. 21 • 6:30 pm
Spencer Meager- Design & Composition
To register for free ZOOM demo: https://wheatonlibrary.
Monday, January 17th, 2021 - 6:30pm
Jim Swanson Art Demo: Catching the Light
Develop your ability to identfy the focus in your paintings and keep it prominent. Acclaimed artist James Swanson is a member of Oil Painters of America, the National Oil & Acrylic Society, and a Signature Member of the American Impressionists Society. Jim will demonstrate how to create interesting color mixes, distinguish warm and cool colors, and nail the focus of the painting. https://www.jamesswansonpainting.com/portfolios to view his work
To register for free ZOOM demo: https://bit.ly/34pwgaB
Monday, November 15th, 2021 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Donna Castellanos - Art Demonstration: Collage & Assemblage
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To register for free ZOOM demo, Click Here.
Monday, Oct. 18th, 2021 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm
MARGE HALL - Oil Painting: Start to Finish ( Virtual)

Develop your knowledge and love for oil painting with Marge Hall, award- winning floral portrait artist. Marge will provide useful tips for beginners to advanced artists. Questions welcome!
To register for free ZOOM demo, Click Here.
Monday, September 20th, 2021 - 6:30 pm - 8:30pm
Art Demonstration: Portraits in Oil featuring Don Yang
Artist Don Yang will demonstrate direct painting (‘alla prima’) from a live model. He will emphasize capturing accurate proportion, the form of the head, and facial color variations. These techniques create a convincing likeness in an oil sketch within a limited time.
For recording Click Here
April 19th, 6:30p - The Value of Sketches
MICHAEL IRELAND - Watercolor

Knowing where you are going with that first stroke is the single most important step in a successful
painting. The sketch is like a map to your wildest journey. Large format watercolor artist Michael Ireland will stress the importance of drawing and how it sets the stage for multiple passes of glazes and color washes.
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy604KpVXoQ&ab_channel=WheatonPublicLibrary
March 15th, 6:30 - Relief Printmaking
BENJAMIN J. CALVERT, III

Recording:
February 15th, 6:30p - Pastel Winterscape: Embracing the Solitude of the Season
BRIAN SAUERLAND - Pastels

** Monday Night Programs are FREE**
Award-winning artist, Brian Sauerland, will discuss his process of working with pastels. He will demonstrate, via Zoom, how subtle shifts in color and value can create an impactful winter scene. Capturing the peacefulness of winter requires an understanding of the limits of photographic references, a loose hand, and a little inspiration.
January 18th, 6:30p - Traditional Watercolor Painting – 50 Years in 3 Steps
BOB KRAJECKI - Watercolor Painting

Traditional Watercolor Painting – 50 Years in 3 Steps
There are many different techniques for painting in watercolor. With 50 years of experience, continued study and experimentation, Bob holds true to the classical methods. He will highlight the two important aspects that make watercolors special. One is the transparency that makes watercolors so bright and fresh. He will show how to achieve and maintain that freshness. The other is the way pigments separate – why they do, and how to take advantage of the nuances to create interesting textures. Watch him simplify a painting into three steps:
- Paint the abstraction pattern of light and dark shapes.
- Define shape and form.
- Add details to emphasize the center of interest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuGimwRJu4Y&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=WheatonPublicLibrary For recorded YouTube