WAUSAU, WISCONSIN: Artists who set up easels to capture two downtown Wausau scenes during an opening-day Paint Out kick off an array of plein-air painting programs during “Celebrating Summer: Plein-Air Painters of America,” on view at the Woodson Art Museum June 22 through August 25, 2013.
More than eighty “Celebrating Summer” paintings depict an array of seasonal sights from sweeping coastal and mountain vistas to celebratory vignettes of a parade, wedding, and fair. The Plein-Air Painters of America, founded in 1986 on California’s Catalina Island to further the historic tradition of painting “en plein air” – a French phrase meaning “in the open air” – organized this exhibition specifically for the Woodson Art Museum.
Ten artists – some with artwork in “Celebrating Summer” and several other Wisconsin plein-air painters – will set up easels for Paint the Town: A Plein-Air Paint Out, Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m.-Noon and 1-4 p.m. and paint what they see from these locations:
- River Views from the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, 800 N. First Street
- City Scenes from City Hall, McClellan & Fourth streets
The public can view all Paint Out artwork at the Museum during a Plein-Air Review, 5-7 p.m., Saturday, June 22, in the sculpture garden, or indoors if the weather insists, and enjoy refreshments, conversation, and the opportunity to purchase Paint Out artworks directly from the artists.
Wisconsin plein-air painters gather to paint in the sculpture garden Sunday, June 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., another opportunity to see them at work and view “Celebrating Summer” in the galleries.
Paint the Town: A Plein-Air Paint Out funding comes from a Community Arts Grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, with funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board, Community Foundation, and the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.
Teens and adults learn plein-air painting techniques in separate two-day workshops led by Colorado artist Janeice Linden in the sculpture garden, followed by Linden’s public demonstration on Sunday, June 30, 1-3 p.m. Youngsters who have completed grades 6-8 learn the basics of oil painting and sketching, Monday and Tuesday, June 24-25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Teens who have completed grades 9-12 focus on design, form, light, and color values and learn how plein-air work aids in the evolution of a studio painting, Wednesday and Thursday, June 26-27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults learn the important points of outdoor painting: subject matter, editing, composition, and use of color, value, and light, Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuition for the two-day sessions includes supplies and is $100 for members; $130 for non-members; partial scholarship funds available thanks to the Wisconsin Valley Art Association. Call the Museum at 715-845-7010 for details and to register.
River Flow Yoga classes return to the sculpture garden with another Thursday-morning series, June 13-August 15 (except July 4), 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; $5/class; bring a mat. To register, email heather@riverflowyoga.net. For weather updates, “like” and follow www.facebook.com/riverflowyogawausau.
Children, teens, and families coping with the death of a loved one gather for Treasuring Memories, Wednesday, June 26, 1-3 p.m., to create memorial art for a garden, walkway, or special space of remembrance. Participants may bring small mementos to incorporate into the project and have an opportunity to share memories and reflections of loved ones during this free program. Call 715-845-7010 to register. Call Amy Kitsembel at the Aspirus Grief Center, 715-847-2703, for more information.
Bring your littlest ones to enjoy activities amid paintings of the great outdoors and multi-sensory play in Art Park during Art Babies (birth-1 year) on Fridays, June 28, July 26, and August 23, 10:30-11:15 a.m., and during Art Time for Tots (1-4 years), on Thursdays, June 27, July 25, and August 22, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Call 715-845-7010 to register for these free programs.
During Art Park Open Studio on the first Saturday of each month, 1-3 p.m., all ages drop in to try different art projects with provided materials; July 6, participants make Independence-Day-inspired creations; August 3, play with paper dots to create the impression of color and light reminiscent of Georges Seurat’s pointillism.
During three separate art camps, children ages 5-11 create artworks that draw inspiration from nature and “Celebrating Summer.” • Session I, “A Brush with Nature,” ages 5-6, Tuesday, July 9, 9 a.m.-Noon; $25 for members; $30 for non-members.
• Session II, “Nature Up Close,” ages 7-8, Wednesday, July 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; $40 for members; $50 for non-members.
• Session III, “Plein-Air Boot Camp,” ages 9-11, Thursday and Friday, July 11-12, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.; $75 for members; $90 for non-members.
Tuition includes supplies; partial scholarship funds available thanks to the Wisconsin Valley Art Association. Call the Museum at 715-845-7010 for details and to register.
A South Beach Up North Concert, led by cellist and Wausau native Michael Andrews, Sunday, July 14, Noon-1:30 p.m., at the Museum features Dvorak and Shostakovich piano quintets.
Toddlers, 18 months-4 years, gather for Toddler Tuesday programs, Water, Boats, & Beaches on July 16 and Open Air Artists on August 20; 10:30 a.m.-Noon./p>
Adults help to curate an upcoming exhibition by assisting curator Jane Weinke winnow the field of sixty artworks from the Museum’s collection to about forty during Art History 101: Be a Noon-Hour Curator, Wednesday, July 17, 12:15-1 p.m.
Sunday-afternoon SPARK! programs for individuals with memory loss facilitate social interactions with an accompanying friend or family member as pairs view outdoor scenes and discuss the places we visit and live on July 21 and August 18; 1-2:30 p.m. After the gallery experience, participants engage in an art activity. Call 715-845-7010 to register for these free, monthly programs.
During Night Out @ the Woodson when the Museum stays open until 7:30 p.m., adults learn how the practice of working outdoors helped shape the Impressionist movement in Art History 101: Plein-Air Impressions, Thursday, August 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Education curator Catie Anderson leads this program and a noon-hour version on Wednesday, August 21, 12:15-1 p.m. During Hands-on Art: Playing with Pointillism, Thursday, August 1, 5:30-7 p.m., all ages use small paper dots to depict the impression of light and color in artworks reminiscent of Georges Seurat’s pointillism.
Individuals with vision impairments or blindness explore “Celebrating Summer” artworks through sounds and movement before creating artwork of their own during Art Beyond Sight, Saturday, August 17, 10:30 a.m.-Noon. Aided by verbal descriptions of artwork, Angela Johnson shares meditation techniques during this free program; call 715-845-7010 or email jhintz@lywam.org to register.
All ages drop in to experience artwork on view and learn mediation techniques with Angela Johnson during Soothing Views, Saturday, August 17, 1-3 p.m.
Making art in the open air is the theme of the Museum’s third annual Family Fest, a weeklong festival that encourages families to practice healthy habits together: art making and museum visiting as well as being outdoors, exercising, and eating well. Drop by the sculpture garden August 13-20 during regular Museum hours to try a different medium each day: Tuesday, August 13, pastel; Wednesday, August 14, watercolor; Thursday, August 15, pencil; Friday, August 16, charcoal; Saturday and Sunday, August 17-18; window paint; Tuesday, August 20, watercolor. Family Fest culminates on Tuesday, August 20 with an Extra-Terrific Toddler Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-Noon, that will include art-making and movement-themed stations. River Flow Yoga instructor Mary Hilliker leads family yoga sessions and Forte Creative Culture instructor Jenny Bellmer Callope guides musical-instrument use to echo nature sounds and encourage movement. The Museum’s Family Fest is sponsored by River Flow Yoga and Ministry Health Care and is part of a national initiative, Let’s Move! Museums & Gardens, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to promote healthy choices and activities through interactive programs.
Woodson Art Museum
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
First Thursday of each month 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Saturday – Sunday Noon – 5:00 pm
Closed Monday and holidays, including July 4
Admission: Always Free Admission
Phone: 715.845.7010
Fax: 715.845.7103
Email: museum@lywam.org
Location: Franklin and 12th Streets, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403-5007
(700 N. 12th Street)
Online: www.lywam.org
