URL links to hi-res photos are included at the end of this press release.
Wausau, Wisconsin: The 27th annual Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 10–11, 2016, offers fun for all ages during north central Wisconsin’s biggest art extravaganza, spanning both sides of the Wisconsin River.
This weekend favorite overflows with art throughout four admission-free locations – Art in the Park in Marathon Park, the opening of “Birds in Art” at the Woodson Art Museum, the Festival of Arts and the Center for the Visual Arts galleries in downtown Wausau.
The weekend art extravaganza offers distinct, complementary experiences, including the “Birds in Art” 41st-annual opening festivities and Artists in Action on Saturday morning at the Woodson Art Museum; artwork, music, and food at the Festival of Arts (on Third Street and the 400 Block); artwork at the CVA, 427 N. Fourth Street, and its gift shop in the Third Street Lifestyle Center; and an array of artisans’ handcrafted work at Art in the Park at Marathon Park. Children’s art activities, food, and entertainment abound. All events are admission free and are linked by complimentary, handicapped-accessible, shuttle bus service. For an overview, check the Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend webpage, www.lywam.org/birdin-art/wausaus-artrageous-weekend/ and to see the 2016 brochure.
MARATHON PARK: Art in the Park brings together more than 120 exhibitors in the East Gate Hall and Historic Exhibition Building in Marathon Park on Stewart Avenue near 17th Avenue, on Wausau’s west side. Affordable fine arts and handcrafted items for gifts, pets, children, home, and garden include pottery, wearable art, paintings, photography, and more at this lively venue. A children’s art and craft area offers free activities. Assorted food and beverage selections are available for purchase from local non-profit groups and businesses; ATM available. Free admission. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
DOWNTOWN: Festival of Arts, on Third Street and the 400 Block, offers for purchase work by over 120 juried artists representing a variety of mediums. The festive browse-and-buy strolling is enhanced by live music on two stages, children’s art activities, entertainment on the Family Stage, a Young Collector Market, a scholarship silent auction to benefit area art students, and food stands operated by local non-profit organizations. Free admission. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
DOWNTOWN: Center for Visual Arts, 427 N. Fourth Street, features the “Configurations – the Arrangement of Elements” and the “Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP)” exhibits in the CVA Caroline S. Mark Gallery and Loft Gallery. Tour the newly renovated, historic building, pottery studio, new gallery, and studio room. The CVA Gift Shop, located in the Third Street Lifestyle Center, features hand-crafted work by local and regional artists. Free admission. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
EASTSIDE: “Birds in Art” opening weekend festivities at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum coincide with Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend. Early birds who visit the Museum on Saturday, September 10, 9 a.m.-Noon, can meet more than sixty “Birds in Art” artists who flock to the Museum from all over the world for the opening festivities. See artists demonstrating various mediums during Artists in Action, 10:45 a.m.-Noon, in the sculpture garden. Dozens of other “Birds in Art” artists, including 2016 Master Artist Karen Bondarchuk will be in the galleries and sculpture garden on Saturday morning to talk with visitors and to sign catalogues and posters. Browse galleries to see fresh artistic takes on birds by some of the world’s most talented artists in an array of mediums, portraying unexpected perspectives, amusing poses, and majestic bearing. This 41st-annual “Birds in Art” exhibition presents paintings, graphics, and sculptures created by more than 100 artists who bring a global perspective to their passion for birds. Always free admission. Special opening-weekend hours: Saturday, September 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, September 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. “Birds in Art” remains on view through November 27.
Free, handicapped-accessible shuttle buses connecting all four locations run every 15-20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from designated locations: downtown at the SE corner of the 400 Block at Fourth and Jefferson streets and at Third and Franklin streets, at Marathon Park near East Gate Hall, and at the Woodson Art Museum on Twelfth Street, near the Museum’s south parking lot.
For overall information, visit www.lywam.org/birds-in-art/wausaus-artrageous-weekend
For details or additional information, contact each organization:
- Festival of Arts at 715-842-1676, wausaufoa.org
- Center for the Visual Arts, 715-842-4545, cvawausau.org
- Art in the Park, 715-581-1484, wivalleyart.org
- Woodson Art Museum, 715-845-7010, lywam.org/birds-in-art
