Wausau, Wisconsin: Artwork created by 118 artists from throughout the world will be included in the 47th annual “Birds in Art” exhibition, on view Saturday, September 10 through November 27, 2022, at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, in Wausau, Wisconsin.
With more artwork from farther afield, “Birds in Art” 2022 is replete with birds strutting, vocalizing, socializing, preening, and soaring. This year, 570 artists – a 12 percent increase over 2021 – submitted 946 artworks for consideration by the three-person jury.
Of the 118 artists, 95 were selected by the jury in addition to 23 who were named Master Artists during previous “Birds in Art” exhibitions. Thirty-three are international, representing 15 different countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Eleven are Wisconsin artists, three of whom also are among 18 first-time “Birds in Art” artists.
First-year “Birds in Art” artist, Alejandro Grajal, said as the CEO of Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, he has traveled the world as an ornithologist and conservationist and remains “entranced by the wondrous beauty of birds.” The incongruity of a kingfisher intently looking for unsuspecting prey as it perched on a fish sculpture caught Grajal’s eye and inspired his painting.
In addition to paintings in watercolor, oil, and acrylic; sculptures in stone, wood, wire, aluminum, and bronze; and drawings in graphite, pastel, chalk, and charcoal, the exhibition includes various mediums – from cut paper and scratchboard to serigraphy, woodcut, linocut, and etching. Textile art is included from two first-time artists: Jim Hay, from Japan, who incorporated machine-sewn kimono into his whimsical work, and Canadian Sue Sherman, whose quilt depicts three monk parakeets.
Artworks by previously named Master Artists include Robert Bateman’s painting of a robin’s nest at his childhood home and Anne Senechal Faust’s timberdoodle serigraph.
“Birds in Art” 2022 opening-day festivities on Saturday morning, September 10, include a guest speaker’s presentation at 9:30 a.m.; Artists in Action demonstrations, 10:45 a.m. to Noon; and morning opportunities to meet dozens of artists who flock to the Museum from throughout the world for the opening of this internationally renowned exhibition. Visitors browse galleries to see fresh artistic takes on birds via original paintings, sculptures, and graphics created with the past three years. Since 1976, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum has organized “Birds in Art” annually, seeking to present the best contemporary artistic interpretations of avian themes.
The exhibition will be on view during the Museum’s extended opening-weekend hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, and remains on view through Sunday, November 27, always admission free. Before visiting, check www.lywam.org for details.
The “Birds in Art” exhibition opening is part of Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend; click here for details.
For additional 2022 exhibition details, check the artist list, events calendar, and exhibition webpage.
An illustrated “Birds in Art” catalogue featuring every artwork along with artists’ statements in a newly redesigned format will be available in September; get purchasing details and order here.
For more information, visit www.lywam.org, e-mail the Museum at info@lywam.org, call 715-845-7010, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
For media outlets: to request high-resolution images of artwork to accompany news articles, send an email inquiry to info@lywam.org.
Woodson Art Museum Hours
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9am – 4pm
First Thursday of each month 9am – 7:30pm
Every Thursday during Birds in Art 9am – 7:30pm
Saturday – Sunday Noon – 5pm
Closed Monday & holidays, including New Year’s Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas
Admission: Always Free Admission
Phone: 715.845.7010
Email: info@lywam.org
Location: 700 N. 12th Street (Franklin & 12th Streets), Wausau, Wisconsin 54403-5007
Online: www.lywam.org
