Category Archives: Blog
Springing Ahead
Posted on May 28, 2014
I love springtime. After the long, snowy, cold winter, I want to relish every minute, feel the warm sun, smell the fresh air, and enjoy the vibrant flowers and verdant grass.
As curator of collections, spring signals planning time for me, and the realization that each of the five exhibition spaces used for Museum collections will be reinstalled before September 1.
That might seem daunting; sometimes it is. But mostly for me, it’s thrilling. To work with our beautiful and varied collection is exciting. I love hearing visitors comment as they encounter an artwork they haven’t seen for a while or even gasp when seeing a recent acquisition.
What Prompts Museum Visits?
Posted on May 21, 2014
I’m always curious and fascinated to learn what brings Woodson Art Museum visitors through the doors. Volunteer greeters provide crucial insights when they jot down comments from their casual conversations with visitors.
In addition to cities from throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest, it’s exciting to see far-flung locations listed on these informal greeter surveys. Since last fall, visitors have hailed from Poland, Russia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Latvia, Greece, Norway, and — during repeat visits — England and Scotland.
Wear Your Words
Posted on May 14, 2014
Wear Your Words on view at the Woodson Art Museum features teens’ social-action statements – upcycled garments from recycled materials. Through this and a recent Art Speaks exhibition of teen artwork created from repurposed furniture, the Museum continues to keep the voices and vision of young area artists in the public eye.
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.
Three Cheers for Detroit!
Posted on April 30, 2014
Detroit has experienced a bucket-load — and then some — of less-than-desirable media attention in recent months. Whether about the city's bankruptcy filing or the related vulnerability of the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection, the news from the Motor City hasn't exactly been a promotion for tourism.
I'm a Detroit booster and believe that tourism — specifically cultural tourism — is among the activities that will help the city regain its luster.
Today is the start of Day #2 of a six-day Detroit and environs adventure for an intrepid group of Woodson Art Museum travelers.
Fashion Forward & Runway Ready
Posted on April 23, 2014
Ask any of my coworkers and they’ll assure you that no two days are alike at the Woodson Art Museum. Each exhibition ushers in new artwork to fill the galleries and fresh programming on our docket.
My next big hurdle involves coordinating forty volunteer models, hair stylists (thanks Verve Salon & Spa!), makeup artists, and seamstresses. This challenge doesn’t sound like a typical art museum (whatever that is?), does it?!
It’s all for a fashion show taking place on Saturday, May 3, 7 – 8 p.m. at the Woodson Art Museum.
Slow Art Wins the Day
Posted on April 16, 2014
Like the tortoise over the hare, a slow-but-sure pace is winning the race – well, a heat or two, at least. Increasingly, it seems, slow is trendy. Slow food. Slow fashion. Slow art. Saturday, April 12, marked the 4th annual international Slow Art Day, and the Woodson Art Museum was one of 238 venues participating.
Expanding Horizons
Posted on April 09, 2014
I tend to be boring. I prefer Bert over Ernie, my favorite color is beige, and my idea of spontaneity is asking for butter flavoring on popcorn at a movie theater. As a child, my favorite night of television was Sunday on CBS, because you could watch 60 Minutes then Murder She Wrote.
Needless to say, I was taken aback when the Woodson Art Museum undertook plans to host a site-specific installation by artist and UW-Madison professor Jennifer Angus, who creates elaborate Victorian patterns with deceased insects.
Teen Voices & TAC Visions
Posted on April 02, 2014
As the Woodson Art Museum’s Teen Art Council (TAC) advisor/mentor I’m proud to share the voices and visions of young artists that are integrated into Museum exhibitions and programs.
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.
