Author: Andrew McGivern, curator of exhibitions
Sandstorm Falcons
Posted on April 08, 2015
My wife and I recently returned from Abu Dhabi where we visited our son, Justin, and his wife, Sarah, who have been working on the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi project for a few years. It was our third visit to the area and every time we go, I like to... Read More
A Winter Birding Excursion
Posted on January 14, 2015
Although the National Audubon Society’s first Christmas Bird Count was in 1900, my first foray was a few weeks ago when I joined Mary Backus and Sarah Sabatke, members of the Wausau Bird Club. Before this, most of my birding occurred in the spring, summer, and fall. Sure, we keep tabs on the birds coming to our backyard winter feeders, but the idea of going out to search for birds in the winter never really appealed to me – too cold and not a great variety of birds to see, or so I thought.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Posted on December 03, 2014
After this fall’s early snowfall–and–melt cycle, a warm day last weekend prompted my wife, Jeana, to coax me outside to build a snowman. At first I resisted, but fun memories of building giant snowmen with our son and his friends when he was a boy got the better of me.
Curatorial Pearls
Posted on October 22, 2014
At this time of the year, Birds in Art is in full swing. It’s always been the Woodson Art Museum’s most popular exhibition. When I pass through the galleries, I’m constantly impressed by the many visitors who make their way to the Museum to take in our annual avian exhibition.... Read More
Special Delivery
Posted on July 30, 2014
Preparations for this year’s Birds in Art exhibition are well underway. We continue to receive a steady flow of artwork with over half of the 126 paintings, drawings and sculpture safely unpacked, stored in a Woodson Art Museum vault, and ready for installation in our galleries.
Coming from an international cast of artists, artworks are shipped from all over the world.
Beyond the Recycled Runway
Posted on May 08, 2014
The Woodson Art Museum’s exhibition schedule is developed to provide visitors with rich visual arts experiences. As curator of exhibitions, I look for variety in building a diverse schedule to appeal to the broadest spectrum of visitors.
A couple of years ago, an exhibition of artist-designed clothes made of recycled materials caught my attention. Through research, I discovered a TED talk by the artist – and environmental advocate – Nancy Judd. In it, Nancy wore a yellow dress that she’d made from strips of plastic caution tape. She explained how her fashionable clothing made from trash was the perfect way to encourage people to recycle. After seeing the talk, I knew it would be a special exhibition.
Birders Flock to Bird City Summit
Posted on March 26, 2014
Throughout the past year, I’ve developed more than a passing interest in birds and bird watching. My interest was piqued last spring when poor weather stalled a variety of migrating birds that happened to end up in my mother-in-law’s backyard, right here in Wausau.
A Year in Review
Posted on December 31, 2013
In my role scheduling upcoming exhibitions at the Woodson Art Museum, I’m always looking ahead. It’s fun to look back, too, because 2013 was such a good year for the Museum. We had a terrific and varied lineup of exhibitions enlivened by dynamic artist residencies. Museum renovations brought improvements to... Read More
Jewelry Artist Turned Curator Admires Exhibition
Posted on November 20, 2013
Years ago, as a student at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, I developed an appreciation for lapidary – cutting and polishing stones. After working with stones in the art metals department, I decided to take a few jewelry classes so that I could mount the stones in silver.... Read More
The Joy of Birding – One Click at a Time
Posted on October 09, 2013
Each fall, the Woodson Art Museum presents its Birds in Art exhibition. The Museum’s galleries are filled with over 120 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper – the country’s best indoor bird watching. Cat Bird Over the years, I’ve developed quite an appreciation for our fine-feathered friends and have decided... Read More
