Concert Activity Exhibition Festivities
Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature Partner Programs
Throughout the Summer, 2025
Related Exhibitions
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
21850 North Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, IL
July 13 – August 31, 2025
In the Shadow of Coal will highlight botanical species of the Waukegan Dunes, located along Lake Michigan and adjacent to a coal-fired power plant. The exhibition will draw attention to the environmental injustices caused by the continued contamination of this coal-fired power plant on people and the environment and the immense threat posed to Lake Michigan. The exhibition comprises traditional, contemporary, and abstract botanical art and will be curated through an open-call with three jurors: Heeyoung Kim (who leads the Botanical Academy at Brushwood), a representative from the Driehaus Museum, and a local arts leader from Waukegan. Onsite programming will include an opening and speaking program, an exhibition guide, and guided tours.
Chicago Botanic Garden Lenhardt Library
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois
May 16 – August 17, 2025
This exhibition will feature four books from the library’s collection, which are illustrated with Rory McEwen’s floral artwork, and published between 1964 – 1980. The vitrine will be accompanied by a Rory McEwen Tulip Petal facsimile, borrowed from the Driehaus Museum, for this collaboration.
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Illinois
May 16 – August 17, 2025, 10am-2pm
Included with Arboretum admission
The Sterling Morton Library will present A Celebration of Nature Art pop-up display of works by and about Rory McEwen as well as artwork from the Suzette Morton Davidson Special Collections. On display will be the following two books containing illustrations by McEwen: The auricula: its history and character and Old carnations and pinks along with more contemporary works presenting McEwen’s artwork. Accompanying these items will be a rotating display of original artwork from the Library’s collections. The display will be available for viewing during the Library’s open hours, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago
Opens June 20
In partnership with local arts groups, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum will showcase nature-inspired watercolor paintings of local artists in the Museum’s Marquee gallery. This exhibition will include a facsimile of a painting by Rory McEwen, shown adjacent to a new temporary exhibition exploring the biodiversity of the Midwest ecosystem. The proximate location of the two exhibits will provide a powerful connection as both illuminate the role of humans and observation in understanding the natural worl
Related Classes
Driehaus Museum, 50 East Erie
Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10am-2pm
$150
In this workshop led by watercolorist Heeyoung Kim, participants will be guided through essential techniques to create their own unique watercolor artwork inspired by the Driehaus Museum’s Nickerson Mansion. Open to all skill levels, the workshop provides all the materials visitors need to craft their piece.
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois
Thursday, June 12, 2025, 6-7pm
With an eye for detail, Rory McEwen (1932 – 82) was a stunning botanical artist. Inspired by seventeenth- and eighteenth-century masterpieces by great botanical illustrators, McEwen excelled in his craft, adding a modern interpretation. Discover botanical treasures by those who influenced him, including Pierre Joseph Redouté. The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Rare Book collection encompasses five centuries of literature in botany, botanical art, horticulture, agriculture, and landscape design. Tickets at this link.
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois
Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 6-8pm
Get inspired by the life and vision of renowned musician and one of the great botanical artists, Rory McEwen. Discover details of his fascinating career, relationships, travels, and artistic talents. McEwen’s artwork demonstrates technical precision, but he prioritized the poetry of the painted subject through his artistic approach and contemporary compositions. You will gain a greater appreciation for nature and botanical art through McEwen’s life history and perspective. Tickets at this link.
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Illinois
Four Thursdays, August 14 – September 4, 2025, 6:30-9:30pm
$180; discount available for Arboretum members.
Capture the fine details of plants using dry brush painting, inspired by the style of Scottish botanical artist Rory McEwen. Led by botanical artist Suzanne Wegener, the class will explore the centuries-old technique of dry brush painting and how a variety of artists, including 20th century artists like McEwen apply this storied art style. Participants will complete two paintings, one on watercolor paper and one on vellum. More information and registration will be available June 4 at mortonarb.org.
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Illinois
Saturday, August 30, 2025, 9am-12pm
$49; discount available for Arboretum members.
Tap into your creative side with an introductory painting workshop at The Morton Arboretum on nature art. No experience is necessary. Mix and blend colors to create a watercolor painting in the style of noted Scottish botanical artist Rory McEwen. Learn the basics of using watercolor under the encouraging guidance of the instructor, artist Carrie Carlson. This single session class is a fun and popular program for those who are curious to try something new. More information and registration will be available June 4 at mortonarb.org.
Related Concerts and Events
Chicago Scots at the Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue
Thursday, June 12
7 p.m.
A polymath at heart, a searcher, the work of Scotland’s Rory McEwen (1932-1982) reflects a sustained intensity of focus on the artistic pursuits that defined his life. Widely regarded as the 20th century’s greatest botanical artist, McEwen was also a celebrated folk musician who introduced American blues, jazz, and folk music to British audiences as host of the groundbreaking 1960’s TV show, Hullabaloo.
Tonight’s event is a companion show to the Driehaus Museum’s exhibition of McEwen’s incredible art Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature. This unique concert will feature: Skerryvore (Scotland’s best live act), Iona Fyfe (Scots Folk Singer of the Year), and John Ballantyne’s Crazyheart (Chicago’s own Scottish-American honky-tonk band). Commentary and reflections from Rory’s family, Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, and Professor Tony Jones CBE.
To purchase tickets:https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/06-12-2025-celebrating-rory-mce wen/
DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL
June 13 – 14, 2025
The Scottish Festival & Highland Games is a vibrant showcase of Scottish culture that attracts 10,000-15,000 attendees annually. This year’s festival June 13-14 at DuPage County Fairgrounds is particularly McEwen-centric in honor of Rory McEwen’s Scottish roots and the Driehaus Museum’s Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature exhibition. The Clan MacEwen, led by chieftan Sir John R.H.McEwen (Rory McEwen’s nephew), will be the 2025 Honored Clan to open the Games and Sir John will receive the Salute to the Chieftain from 1,000 pipers and drummers at closing. MacEwans from around the world are invited and encouraged to attend. Chicago Scots Highland Games is a family-friendly festival treasured by generations. Activities include the largest pipe band championship in North America, world-famous heavy athletics including the iconic caber toss, dogs of Scotland, the British car show, a Scottish petting zoo, and more. Skerryvore, Scotland’s best live act will headline the Celtic rock stage. You can also meet Gary Maclean, the National Chef of Scotland, who will host cooking demonstrations on Scottish fare.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago
Friday, June 20, 2025, 4-8:00 pm
Explore the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum after-hours for activities exploring the intersection of art and nature. Visitors can enjoy live animal encounters, live music, hands-on arts and crafts, family-friendly yoga, fly casting on the pier, and local food options. Tickets at this link.
Murphy Auditorium at the Driehaus Museum, 50 East Erie
Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 6:30pm-8:30pm
$50
Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will present a captivating woodwind performance in celebration of the exhibition, Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature. The event begins with a brief introduction to the exhibition, and is followed by works by Samuel Barber, Malcom Arnold, Sally Beamish, and more. The ticket includes admission to the Museum. The Museum will be open for program guests at 5pm prior to the event or at a later date during Museum public hours by showing program ticket.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago
July 30, 2025, 10am
Registration for this event is not required; this event is included with museum admission.
Thank you to our partners Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Scots, the Magnificent Mile Association, The Morton Arboretum, Old Town School of Folk Music, and The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.