Forest district seeks proposals of outdoor art made of plant materials

Artists have until March 22 to submit proposals for art created with plant materials native to DuPage County for an outdoor installation exhibit at Mayslake Peabody Estate.

The district will select 10 artists for its "When Art and Nature Meet" exhibit, which will run June 14 to Oct. 24 at Mayslake, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook.

The selected artists will be notified April 15. There is no submission fee, but proposals are limited to one per artist. For details, download the application form and submission rules from mayslakepeabody.com.

Artists are encouraged to use materials from plants native to DuPage County; nonnative plant materials are not allowed. The district will offer assorted materials on a first-come, first-served basis, including logs, branches, trees slated for removal in place, ginkgo seeds, pine cones, locust tree seed pods, prairie plant seeds, mulch and wood chips.

Pieces will be on display at outdoor locations throughout the 87-acre estate, which features historic Mayslake Hall, a 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion, and that appeals to art-, architecture-, history- and nature-lovers alike. A map of installation locations is available from Mayslake's Kendra Strubhart via email at kstrubhart@dupageforest.org.

Applicants can scout out locations by visiting the Mayslake grounds, which are open daily from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Artists may request designated sites or propose different locations in their applications.

"This is a great way to join in our centennial celebration and showcase your artistic talent with the numerous visitors at beautiful Mayslake," said Joseph Cantore, president of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.