Past Exhibitions

September 10 – November 27, 2016

Long venerated for embodying freedom, grace, and beauty in flight, birds continually provide creative inspiration to exceed limits of earthbound human existence. As we aspire to sing, soar, and preen like them adorned in brilliant attire, avian art inspires in endless ways. When talented artists from throughout the world strive to be among those chosen for the internationally renowned Birds in Art exhibition, the resulting depictions are breathtaking. The 41st annual exhibition celebrates avian marvels through fresh interpretations in original paintings, sculptures, and graphics created within the last three years by 112 artists from throughout the world.

On view through November 20, 2016

Focused on only six bird species – mallards, bluebirds, ravens, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, and wood ducks – see a sampling of mediums that yields distinctly different artistic interpretations.

June 4 – August 28, 2016
This survey of exceptional chair design explores chairs as art – both functional and sculptural. An array of nineteenth-century to contemporary examples highlights the beauty and historical context of the ubiquitous chair.

On view through August 14, 2016
Oil paintings, watercolors, and sketches reveal Gromme’s lifelong passion for nature and wildlife.

February 27 – May 29, 2016
This retrospective of the photographic illustrator of the I SPY  books published by Scholastic Inc. includes large-scale photographs and Wick’s elaborate sets and models offering challenging visual riddles, puzzles, and optical illusions that challenge children and adults alike.

Photographic illustrator Walter Wick – known for his I SPY search-and-find images teeming with toys, machines, and illusions – leads programs February 27-28 at the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau during the opening weekend of an exhibition featuring his whimsical images that engage curious minds of all ages. During opening-weekend programs, Wick will offer insights into his mesmerizing images, creative process, and playful concepts.

Wick’s challenging search-and-find photographs, visual riddles, and playful scenes are cherished by legions of readers of these Scholastic books, with over forty-five million copies in print worldwide.

On view through May 22
Celebrating the diverse stories and individuals that comprise the Wausau community, this exhibition is inspired by the popular Humans of New York. That project aims to capture the diverse, often unnoticed, faces and stories of New York City residents through documentary photographs and oral histories.
Humans of Wausau features portraits by local high school art students who submitted their work in early February. The exhibition includes artwork in a variety of mediums and styles; although varied, each work depicts faces from the Wausau community.

Through February 14, 2016

Small-scale and medium-sized sculptures recently acquired by the Museum are featured, including maquettes by Gwynn Murrill and work by Willard Stone, Jason Stone, Simon Gudgeon, Hank Tyler, Hélène Arfi, and Tim Cherry.

April 22, 2015 through February 21, 2016

Experience artworks from the Woodson Art Museum’s collection that portray the sights and sounds at the water’s edge. The hypnotic nature of water attracts artists, who observe and skillfully capture an ever-changing landscape while interpreting the rhythmic sounds. Challenge your senses. Hear the sounds, feel the wind, and imagine yourself transported to another place.