The nature-themed works of contemporary painter Elizabeth Schnura will debut in “Big Helpers: Mutualism Magnified” from Wednesday, April 15, through Sunday, July 19, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook.

Schnura’s paintings highlight the symbiotic relationships between plants and animals found throughout the Will County forest preserves.

The exhibit can be viewed during nature center hours, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The artwork is inspiring,” said Angie Opiola, facility supervisor at Hidden Oaks. “I adore that she is local and that this is her first exhibition.”

Opiola said the exhibit is a natural fit for Hidden Oaks because the artist’s “subject matter was found right here in Will County forest preserves.” Her work also offers a unique perspective on the connections found in nature, emphasizing the delicate beauty that sustains these spaces.

Schnura creates detailed paintings based on photographs she takes.

“At first, you don't realize they are paintings,” Opiola said. “And she highlights insects and bugs, things that are not necessarily people's first love. Her focus on key relationships between plants, flowers and animals aligns with our mission of connecting people to nature and educating passively about the complexities occurring naturally among us.”

Schnura’s use of color is striking, Opiola added.

“And I suspect her works will captivate our audience, young and old.”

Schnura, of Evergreen Park, said creating each painting was both a joy and a challenge.

“Each piece in this collection grew out of a deep adoration for nature, with the intention of opening viewers minds to the things around us that we might not understand or have forgotten to appreciate,” she said via an email interview.

She described her paintings as large-scale and full of vibrant color.

“From spiders to butterflies, a hummingbird grabbing a drink mid-flight to a grasshopper hiding in the foliage, people can expect to see an array of creatures that are found both in the Will County forest preserves and our backyards,” Schnura explained.

She said she first dreamed of becoming an artist as a child.

“I have always had an artistic side to me — I can recall how excited I was for art classes in elementary school, over the years filling notebook after notebook with drawings and ideas,” she said.

She began oil painting when she was around 13 years old.

“Which I think is what really ignited the artist spark within me,” she explained. “I have spent a lot time studying and practicing over the years; the multitude of drawing classes I took in college were a fundamental foundation to my work today. There’s a theory that being an artist is innate and while I do think in my case that could be partially true, I really became an artist the day I had the confidence to say aloud, ‘I am an artist, I am a painter.’”

Schnura said she is excited about this exhibit.

“Displaying an entire collection of my own paintings is a dream and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity at Hidden Oaks Nature Center," she said. "I’ve truly poured every ounce of my ability into these paintings and could not be more proud. I just can’t wait to show everybody.”

Schnura said she paints in the style of contemporary realism, using color and scale to create dynamic compositions.

“The catalyst for my work stems from the core belief that all life is deserving of an environment to thrive in,” she explained. “I would describe this specific collection of works as intentionally beautiful, meant not only to highlight a specific moment but to challenge the way we interact with the world around us.”

Schnura said mutualism — a term that refers to the mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms — is a way to highlight the beauty and importance of all living things.

“Especially the things we might not understand,” she said. “This project has become a way to share moments in time depicting the instrumental relationships that exist all around us, with the hope that viewers will reaffirm their connection to nature.”

Schnura chose to focus on nature because she believes it deepens understanding of the interconnectedness among all living things.

“Our world is changing rapidly, and it is up to us to appreciate and protect the land we inhabit, along with the delicate lives that keep our seasons flowing,” she said.