Nourishing through Time and Attention
Posted on March 29, 2017
Soaking rain. Frost. Sunshine and fifty-five degrees. Forecasted snow. Spring break in Wisconsin.
My kids and I are enjoying a “staycation.” I’m at the Woodson Art Museum typing away and they are around the house soaking up the no-school vibes. We’ll escape for a day trip to a favorite educational and entertaining venue in Chicago.
Our Newest Master Sculptor
Posted on March 22, 2017
A key component of the Woodson Art Museum’s flagship Birds in Art exhibition is the Museum’s Master Artist recognition for achievement within the avian-art genre. This tradition began with Wisconsin’s Owen Gromme in 1976 and over the years has highlighted the work of an international cast of thirty-six artists.
From the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Posted on March 15, 2017
Upon returning from the conference, I’m reflecting on sense of place and how the Woodson Art Museum contributes to our community’s distinct experiences. With M.C. Escher: Reality and Illusion attracting large crowds and enthusiastic feedback, I’m again convinced of the power of artworks to be thought provoking, conversation generating, and intensely inspiring.
Docent Debut
Posted on March 08, 2017
The Woodson Art Museum is really, truly BTYB – Brought To You By – volunteers.
Dedicated, generous, curious, and enthusiastic volunteers make visitors feel welcomed, add beauty to our grounds, and engage thousands of school children each year.
The Buzz About Escher
Posted on March 01, 2017
We’re all excited about Escher – abuzz, agog, and atwitter.
Saturday, March 4 is opening day of M.C. Escher: Reality and Illusion, featuring a large retrospective of the Dutch artist’s work that became pervasive during the last four decades in museums worldwide and throughout pop culture.
New Perspective Poster Child
Posted on February 22, 2017
Opening March 4, M.C. Escher: Reality and Illusion will feature the art of acclaimed Dutch artist M.C. Escher. Filled with visual puzzles blending imagination with reality, Escher’s artwork is prevalent in pop-culture history. Starting in the late 1960s, Escher’s work became a popular choice for college dorm-room posters.
Fairy Godmother
Posted on February 15, 2017
I have a beloved fairy godmother at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. My fairy godmother’s stock-in-trade isn’t pumpkins, mice, ball gowns, and glass slippers. Nor does she brandish a glitter- and sparkle-filled wand.
The Ephemeral Nature of Snow
Posted on February 08, 2017
Wisconsin winters can be unpredictable. Throughout twenty-seven years of coordinating the Woodson Art Museum’s monumental snow sculpture project with the Team USA trio, we’ve experienced capricious weather.
Conserving and Preserving
Posted on February 01, 2017
In past blog posts I’ve shared stories about various artworks and how they come into the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s collection where the narrative continues. The Museum’s collection also includes a treasure trove of additional materials including artists’ preliminary sketches and correspondence.
The Woodson Art Museum is entrusted with the archives of two artists: Don Richard Eckelberry and Owen J. Gromme. The stories revealed in the files are fascinating. Not only is it intriguing to read words on paper, it’s interesting to examine the ways that types of paper and duplicating processes have evolved.
Tiffany-Inspired Creativity Shines
Posted on January 25, 2017
Visiting school groups, popular studio workshops, programs, and engaging, hands-on activities in Art Park are keeping the Woodson Art Museum bustling and staff and volunteers busy. This winter, about 700 Wausau School District third-grade students are heading to the Woodson Art Museum – come rain, snow, sleet, or slush. Despite the gray skies and damp conditions, the warm, stained-glass glow of the Tiffany Studios lamps and, of course, the energy of 8- and 9-year-olds always perks me up.
