Past Exhibitions

Dreams, whimsy, and the unconscious – delve into Surrealist visions of the natural world in Nature Made Strange. This exhibition explores how the Surrealist movement, which began in France in the 1930s, created an entirely new approach to the portrayals of wildlife and landscape. Freed from the constraints of strict “painting-from-life,” these images embrace and explore the dreamlike through non-naturalistic colors, experimental paint application, and collage, inviting viewers into their fantasy worlds.

This exhibition celebrates the life and career of noted watercolorist Fidelia Bridges (1834-1923). Despite inauspicious beginnings as an orphan growing up in Massachusetts, she became one of the preeminent women artists of her time and was the first woman member of the seminal American Watercolor Society. As an artist, she developed an elegant and exacting style, most often portraying birds and botanicals.

March 11 – April 16, 2023
Celebrate Youth Art Month and the creative efforts of central and north central Wisconsin students in grades 5-8 via the 46th annual Student Art Exhibition. Each March, the nation promotes art education by focusing on student work. The exhibition is open to art educators teaching in public, parochial, and home schools in central and north central Wisconsin.

December 10, 2022 through April 16, 2023
Behold the brilliance of nighttime in all its stages: the beginning, zenith, and end. From the delicate light of dawn to the moody shadows of twilight, artworks illuminate the first, musical meaning of “nocturne” – an ephemeral work of music to be performed for an evening’s audience. Scenes of the natural world and American wildlife are featured, emerging from these shades of shadow and light. The artworks extend an invitation: come look at the light’s edge.

December 3, 2022 – February 26, 2023
From headdresses and helmets to turbans and crowns, explore the vital role of ceremonial headwear throughout diverse cultural customs, beliefs, and rituals. Transcending utilitarian purposes, each head covering is a work of art, showcasing skill and creativity in conveying meaning. In a profusion of shapes and styles, materials, and embellishments, these hats and headdresses communicate beauty, the diversity of the world’s cultures, and ideas shared throughout humanity.

December 3, 2022 – February 26, 2023
Organized by the Woodson Art Museum, Stormy Kromer: Evolution of a Classic puts a local spin on global headwear. From invention and evolution throughout a century, the stylish and durably designed Stormy Kromer hats are interwoven into Wisconsin culture. The lore is part of the lure. A pull-down ear band stitched to a baseball cap kept a train worker’s head warm and dry amid winter winds. From authentic originals to ever-evolving designs, the Stormy Kromer caps – along with fascinating archival material – celebrate the art of hat and headwear design.

September 10 – November 27, 2022
Majestic yet fragile, birds connect us with the natural world. Heralding each sunrise and gathering at dusk, these harbingers of seasonal and environmental change endlessly fascinate and inspire. All-new work by the world’s most talented artists provide a splendid array of perspectives and insights. After artwork is selected in May, information and images are shared when finalized as the exhibition is prepared for the fall opening. The Birds in Art exhibition opening is part of Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend.

September 10 – October 23
Visualize avian voices via sculptures inspired by the recorded calls of extinct or endangered birds. Resembling a forest of vertical forms, the sculptures by California- and New York-based artist Elizabeth Turk are enhanced by interactive elements: scannable recordings of the lost or endangered birds’ voices.
Turk is the featured speaker on opening day of Tipping Point and Birds in Art 2022, Saturday morning, September 10, 9:30-10:30 am.