It’s the middle of winter, but Canal Shores Golf Course in Evanston, Illinois, is bustling with activity. Now, though, instead of golfers displaying their skills, the artistry on the course comes courtesy of the public.

Yarn Bomb Tree: Kids Create Change HOPE tree
Photo by Angela Lyonsmith

Throughout the month of February, Evanston Made is hosting Winter Wonderland at Canal Shores, a nature art exhibit right on the golf course. The public is invited to create and install nature art anywhere at Canal Shores except in the middle of the greens.

Using natural materials found on the golf course and surrounding grounds, the art can be created on the course or brought from home to the course. Non-natural pieces are also allowed. Creations can range from simple to complex, and creators of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate.

God’s Eye Tree: Large-piece artists Annette O’Donnell
Photo by Liz Cramer

Suggested art examples include painted rocks; ice-scaping; heart art; tiny tree houses; and yarn bombs, colorful patterns of yarn and rope tied around trees. Other creations fitting in the general theme are also allowed.

For anyone needing help or wanting to learn, there are craft demonstrations every Saturday at Canal Shore Club House (Pro Shop) Fire Pit. Those demos include yarn bomb with fiber artist Bryana Bibbs, tiny treehouses with artist Kathy Halper and tiny birds with Kids Create Change to add to their Hope Tree. The necessary art-making materials are supplied.

Tiny House Diorama: Artist Kathy Halper
Photo by Liz Cramer

Evanston Made Evanston Made is a nonprofit arts advocacy organization open to artists and art lovers. Its goal is to create engagement between Evanston’s visual arts community and the public. Also in February, Evanston Made is highlighting black artists who worked in the community.

I’ll leave the art projects to the more creative folks, but I will check out their handiwork. Bundled up and armed with a thermos of warm apple cider, I’ll take a leisurely, art-filled walk around Canal Shores Golf Course.

Social Justice Tree: Art Maker’s Outpost
Photo by Liz Cramer

— John Wroblewski, online writer