Friends of Danada
Friends of Danada
2026 Danada Nature Art & Photo Show: Winners Announced | Friends of Danada
Friends of Danada

2026 Nature Art & Photo Show
Winners Announced

Celebrating the extraordinary talent that filled Danada House on March 15, 2026. Thank you to every artist, photographer, and child who shared their vision of the natural world.

The 2026 Danada Nature Art & Photo Show was a resounding celebration of nature, creativity, and community. Held at the beautiful Danada House in Wheaton, IL, this year's show drew an incredible turnout of artists, photographers, families, and nature lovers gathered to admire stunning works spanning painting, drawing, mixed media, and photography.

A heartfelt thank you to our judges Cindy Heinz (Art Category) and Hank Erdmann (Photo Category) for their time and thoughtful selections, and to every single participant who brought the natural world to life through their art. Congratulations to all our winners!

The Show

A Beautiful Evening at Danada House

Danada house ballroom gallery setup with artwork panels
Multiple rows of art panels filling the danada house gallery
Artwork panels featuring paintings and drawings on display
Two large paintings on easels by the danada house windows
Crowd gathered for the awards ceremony inside the gallery
Awards Ceremony Attendees gathered as winners were announced
Artist posing with his photography display panel at the show
Meet the Artists Participants on hand to share their stories and inspiration
Top Honors

Best of Show

🎨 Best of Show: Art
Artist
Chris Hughes
"Niagara"
📷 Best of Show: Photo
Artist
Erik Peterson
"Redwood Canopy Oregon"
Fan Favorite

People's Choice Awards

Autumn ripples painting by mary lenert - people's choice art winner
⭐ People's Choice: Art "Autumn Ripples" · Mary Lenert
⭐ People's Choice
Art Category
Mary Lenert
"Autumn Ripples"
Bald eagle landing photo by peggy sue seehafer with honorable mention and people's choice ribbons
⭐ People's Choice: Photo "Bald Eagle Landing" · Peggy Sue Seehafer
⭐ People's Choice
Photo Category
Peggy Sue Seehafer
"Bald Eagle Landing"
Judge: Cindy Heinz

Art Category Winners

🦌Animal

1st Place
Alice Sulinski
"Night Watch", Pastel
Hon. Mention
Lindsay Sandbothe
"Red Winged Blackbird"
Hon. Mention
Michele Tanner-Hubbart
"Visitor"
Hon. Mention
Evalyn Holy
"Three Turtles"

🌿Plant

1st Place
Kumie Kim
"Mayapple"
Hon. Mention
Carol Hedden
"Carlene's Trillium"
Hon. Mention
Suzanne Wegener
"Twist & Shout"
Hon. Mention
Jeanne Durand
"New Mexico Hollyhock"

🏞Landscape

1st Place
Vicki Liszewski
"Fall Lake"
Hon. Mention
Adele Dunn
"Beaver Creek"
Hon. Mention
Catherine Kolecki
"Winter Thaw on Hankes Rd"
Hon. Mention
Mary Ellen Segraves
"Winter Fog"

✨Additional Honorable Mentions: Art

Hon. Mention
Barb Ostler
"Bird of Prey"
Hon. Mention
Michael Hogan
"Forest View"
People's Choice
Mary Lenert
"Autumn Ripples"
From the Gallery Floor

A Glimpse of the Art on Display

Colorful stylized dandelion flower painting on display at the show
Plant Category One of many vibrant works on display
Inner currents pastel landscape painting by mary beth paese
"Inner Currents" Pastel · Mary Beth Paese
Sweet magnolia close-up photo with honorable mention ribbon by barbara work
Hon. Mention: Photo Plant "Sweet Magnolia" · Barbara Work
Two watercolor paintings by patricia casey joyce - the pond and baptisia in the meadow
Patricia Casey Joyce "The Pond" & "Baptisia in the Meadow" · Watercolor
Woman smiling beside her award-winning waterfall photograph with blue ribbon
Photo Category Winner Celebrating a well-deserved ribbon
Artist standing with his photography display panel at the show
Artists & Their Work Every piece told a story of the natural world
Judge: Hank Erdmann

Photography Category Winners

🦅Animal

1st Place
Barbara Work
"Elegance"
People's Choice
Peggy Sue Seehafer
"Bald Eagle Landing"
Hon. Mention
John Stark
"Bighorn"
Hon. Mention
James Hojnacki
"I'm Hungry Mom"

🌸Plant

1st Place
Jaclyn Gaughan
"Unfolding"
Hon. Mention
Barbara Work
"Sweet Magnolia"
Hon. Mention
Holly Ann Tyson
"Laying in Wait"
Hon. Mention
Erik Peterson
"Gazania Study 1"

🌄Landscape

1st Place
Ken Wickman
"Last Light"
Hon. Mention
Holly Ann Tyson
"Lush Oregon"
Hon. Mention
James Hojnacki
"Yosemite Rapids 11"
Hon. Mention
John Hewitt
"Sunrise on a Rocky Beach"

✨Additional Honorable Mentions: Photo

Hon. Mention
David Evans
"Goldenrod Soldier Beetle"
Hon. Mention
Ken Wickman
"First Light"
Hon. Mention
Raymond Vegter
"Barred Owl"
Raymond vegter standing with his barred owl photograph and honorable mention ribbon
Hon. Mention: Raymond Vegter "Barred Owl" · Photography · Additional Honorable Mention

📷  We did our best to capture every winning piece at the show, but unfortunately we weren't able to get a photo of every artwork. We apologize to any winners whose work isn't pictured here, but your recognition is no less deserved, and we're so grateful for your participation!

Next Generation

Children's Nature Art Show

One of the most inspiring aspects of the Danada Nature Art & Photo Show is the Children's Nature Art Show, where young artists ages 8 to 11 bring their own vision of the natural world to life. This year's entries were remarkable, and the energy from our youth art workshop and activity table was contagious!

First place children's art - beautiful forest by matias duarte fonseca age 9
🥇 1st Place: Matias Duarte Fonseca, Age 9 "Beautiful Forest" · Watercolor, Paint & Pastels
First place children's art - the sky tree by bawi lian age 10
🥇 1st Place: Bawi Lian, Age 10 "The Sky Tree" · Colored Pencil
Children participating in art activity workshop at danada house
Youth Art Workshop Kids got hands-on at the art activity table
Children's Nature Art Show

Honorable Mentions

Adver sunset at the dragon tree marker artwork by avery dettmers age 11 with honorable mention ribbon
Hon. Mention: Avery Dettmers, Age 11 "Adver Sunset at the Dragon Tree" · Marker
Rainbow flower tree mixed media artwork by shaylee bozich age 8 with honorable mention ribbon
Hon. Mention: Shaylee Bozich, Age 8 "Rainbow Flower Tree" · Marker, Crayon & Pencil
Trees in the sunset watercolor painting by jade williams age 10 with honorable mention ribbon
Hon. Mention: Jade Williams, Age 10 "Trees in the Sunset" · Watercolor, Paint & Pastels
Trees of the rainbow watercolor painting by ethan rossman age 10 with honorable mention ribbon
Hon. Mention: Ethan Rossman, Age 10 "Trees of the Rainbow" · Watercolor, Pastels & Acrylic
A bird's paradise painting by mabel mccahill age 10 with honorable mention ribbon
Hon. Mention: Mabel McCahill, Age 10 "A Bird's Paradise" · Paint & Markers

Thank You to All Who Participated

The Danada Nature Art & Photo Show would not be possible without the dedication of our artists, volunteers, judges, and the community that shows up year after year. We are endlessly grateful. We hope to see everyone again at next year's show, and we can't wait to see what you create.

Learn More About Danada's Rich History

Leave a Reply