WAUSAU, WISCONSIN: Magical exhibitions featuring illustrations by Caldecott award-winning children’s author and illustrator Brian Selznick along with posters and props from the American Museum of Magic remain on view through Sunday, April 6, at the Woodson Art Museum.
From Houdini to Hugo: The Art of Brian Selznick comprises 100 original drawings and paintings from Selznick’s seventeen books, including The Houdini Box and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the basis for the 3-D motion picture Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese.
Mystery, Magic, and Mayhem: Wonders from the American Museum of Magic includes full-color lithographs created to promote extravagant stage spectacles – bewildering illusions, underwater escapes, and perplexing disappearances – by the legendary Harry Houdini, Howard Thurston, Wallace the Magician, and Harry Blackstone.
Team USA Snow Sculptors return to work their winter magic for their 24th year at the Woodson Art Museum. Mike Martino, Tom Queoff, and Mike Sponholtz carve snow to depict a rabbit emerging from a top hat on Friday and Saturday, January 31 and February 1.
Artist Brian Selznick combines intricately rendered drawings, historical reference, and film to create powerful imagery. His enchanting narratives and characters include the great Houdini, poet Walt Whitman, singer Marian Anderson, and Hugo Cabret – an orphan who lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station. From Houdini to Hugo includes Selznick’s illustrations from Barnyard Prayers, Walt Whitman: Words for America, The Doll People, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, Our House, When Marian Sang, The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, and Frindle.
Selznick attended the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. After graduating, he worked at Eeyore’s Books for Children, in Manhattan; he wrote and illustrated his first book while working at the store. He received a 2002 Caldecott Honor and was awarded the 2008 Caldecott Medal for writing and illustrating his innovative, cinematic The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a 526-page book told in words and nearly 300 pages of pictures. From Houdini to Hugo was organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas, and remains on view at the Woodson Art Museum through April 6.
Mystery, Magic, and Mayhem provides a window into the worlds of illusion, conjuring, mentalism, and escape artistry. American magicians for decades publicized grandiose feats that promised to captivate audiences. An array of graphics and related objects associated with legends such as Thurston, Houdini, and Harry Blackstone, Sr. was organized by the American Museum of Magic, Marshall, Michigan, and Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, Allendale, Michigan.
Woodson Art Museum
Hours:
Tues–Fri 9am–4pm
First Thurs each month 9am–7:30pm
Thurs during Birds in Art 9am–7:30pm
Sat–Sun Noon–5pm
Closed Mon & holidays, including New Year’s Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas
Admission: Always Free Admission
Phone: 715.845.7010
After hours press inquiries: 715.298.2901
Email: museum@lywam.org
Location: Franklin and 12th Streets, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403-5007
(700 N. Twelfth Street)
Online: www.lywam.org
