Oak Park Art League

08/28/2026

OPAL Founder Holgar Jensen (1880 - 1943) was a Denmark-born painter in oil and watercolor. He studied at Smith’s Academy of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Academy of Fine Arts. He served as first secretary of the Art League and was on the Board of Directors.
He exhibited at the Art Institute and in several mid western cities such as St. Louis, Davenport, Springfield, Milwaukee, and Detroit.
Awards include: Austin, Oak Park, and River Forest Art League Silver Medal 1929: Pallette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts Gold Medal 1934.

08/27/2026

We thought you would like this podcast episode of Hidden Brain. It highlights why art is so important to our health and well being. Spaces like OPAL need support to continue with our vital mission to offer multiple ways for us to access and benefit from art and creativity.

Think about the last time a piece of music stopped you in your tracks, or a novel kept you up late at night. Why do these experiences feel so powerful?

08/21/2026

OPAL Founder Alfred Juergens (1866 - 1934) was an American impressionist painter who graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago, after he attended the Munich Royal Academy.
His work is represented in St. Paul Church, Chicago: Cliff Dwellers Club, Chicago: Municipal Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Women’s Club and West End Woman’s City Club in Chicago. He is best known for his paintings of landscape and still life in both oils and watercolors.

08/21/2026

Join us for our next session of classes starting soon sign up now for Fall 1 session on our website!

08/21/2026

Celebrating 105 years of venerable history and five generations of Oak Park Art League Artist Members, this biannual exhibition presents a curated showcase of work by OPAL’s current membership.
All media and subjects are welcome, from ceramics to photography to painting—members are invited to exhibit works that best represents their studio practice.

Want to participate? Become an OPAL member today!

08/19/2026

Do you have your tickets to house of OPAL?

Join us and celebrating 105 years of making community through Art at the Oak Park Art League on September 12 at the 19 Century Charitable Foundation.
We’re looking forward to an amazing fashion showcase, silent auction, raffle and wonderful food and beverages to enjoy together while acknowledging our long history and 105 years in the community! Join us!

08/15/2026

Michael Bever
Reflection

John Kurtz
Astronaut 2

Steve Kost
By the Home

Victor Enriquez
See PTSD

Art can hold what words can’t. ‘Breaking the Silence’ brings together 30 original works by Chicago-area veteran artists. This is not art about veterans, it’s art by veterans, making their own art, in their own voice. The show runs at OPAL until September 6.

08/14/2026

Carl R. Krafft (1884 - 1938) was the founder and first president of the Oak Park Art League. He exhibited throughout the country in galleries such as the National Gallery in New York, Pennsylvania Academy, Carnegie Institute, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
His work can be found locally in collections such as the Ryerson Collection, the Art Institute of Chicago; The Nineteenth Century Women’s club, Oak Park, the Oak Park club, The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest: Rosary College and the Valentine Collection, Chicago.
Find out more about Carl R Krafft on his new Wikipedia page!

08/14/2026

Get your raffle ticket for a chance to win a three night getaway vacation in Michigan! This is our grand raffle prize as part of the House of OPAL annual fundraising Gala for the Oak Park Art League.

Purchase your tickets and join us on September 12 at the 19th Century Charitable foundation for our fashion show, silent auction, delicious food and drinks to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Oak Park Art League!



Literally Everyone

08/13/2026

Join us at the Oak Park Art League on August 23 to learn the ancient art of Japanese paper making with multidisciplinary artist and scholar Mami Takahashi

Her work facilitates connection between Japan and Chicago communities by teaching traditional and modern art-making techniques.

Students will decorate their papers with natural and preserved plant materials, flowers, fibers, and embossed textures.