Tag Archives: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
A New Decade
Posted on January 08, 2020
Turning the calendar to January always lifts my spirits. It’s not only a new year, but also a new decade. While I look forward to what’s ahead, sharing our 2019 collection accomplishments seems most appropriate for this week’s Woodson Wanderings blog post.
Acuity
Posted on January 01, 2020
Today the world ushers in the year 2020, in the Gregorian calendar. It’s the beginning of the ‘20s, end of the teens, and a Leap Year . . . and for like minds who enjoy wordplay, it’s 20/20.
Eye of the Beholder
Posted on November 20, 2019
I like art; most often, it’s a visceral connection. I enjoy being with art and experiencing it. I relish casual and informal “conversations” with artworks. I then imagine why a particular work “speaks” to me. Being curious by nature, though, I often also research works – learning to better appreciate the art. Research may include internet searches, tapping the collective wisdom of fellow curators, asking others in a gallery why they like the artwork, or asking an artist friend’s opinion. What results is a breezy, personal comment on art, reflecting the “eye of the beholder.”
This Spud’s for You
Posted on November 06, 2019
Prepping for student art projects doesn’t usually require bushels and boxes of potatoes. This week’s artist residency, though, is shaping up to be extraordinary.
Artist Tom Hill’s residency, “Produced in Produce & Worked with Wire,” November 5-10, focuses on wire sculpture, incorporating root vegetables into the mix.
Who knew that potatoes, coupled with a bit of creativity, could pack such a punch of personality? Tom Hill, as it turns out, knows quite well that adding a bit of twisted wire can transform a spud from a dud into a memorable character filled with flair.
Flexibility & Seasonal Changes
Posted on October 30, 2019
When planning for the Woodson Art Museum’s members travel adventure to Denver, which wraps up today, we knew weather could be a factor. Did we fully appreciate the potential for temperature extremes or precipitation?
Hats off to the good-natured attitudes of my fellow travelers and to our docents and artist-hosts throughout our Denver stay. It’s been an exceptional trip, yielding lasting friendships and memories of amazing Colorado sun and blue skies as well as a taste of winter to come.
Extending & Expanding Hospitality
Posted on October 23, 2019
I see parallels between hosting guests and website redesign. When, prepping for company – whether a houseguest or Woodson Art Museum website visitor – we try to visualize ourselves in their roles, making them feel welcome, anticipating needs, ensuring it’s safe and easy to navigate, and sprinkling bits of delight along the way.
In the months since a major redesign of the Woodson Art Museum website, we’ve made tweaks, as needed, and pointed out a few upgrades incrementally, in separate blog posts and social media highlights. Now, I’m taking the opportunity to offer a “whole-house” website renovation tour, highlighting amenities of which we’re particularly proud.
Birds & Words: A Fun Family Quest
Posted on October 09, 2019
Literature and art are natural companions; children’s illustrated literature is an early introduction to both.
Kevin Henkes’ Birds is a favorite book to share – with babies through second-grade students – while leading Woodson Art Museum programs during Birds in Art 2019, on view through December 1.
Unexpected Visitors Moo-ve Us All
Posted on September 11, 2019
Well, I can’t resist. In my staff role, I continually encourage all to visit the Woodson Art Museum often to discover what surprises await in the galleries and sculpture garden. Those who were here on a recent Friday afternoon, August 30, witnessed a few bonuses.
Cows munching hostas near the Twelfth Street entrance.
I kid you not.
572 Weeks Ago . . .
Posted on September 04, 2019
. . . we launched "Woodson Wanderings," the Woodson Art Museum's blog, with an invitation and a promise.
We invited readers to join us on a mixed voice – institutional and personal – weekly journey as we explored all things Woodson Art Museum, from exhibitions and artworks to behind-the-scenes goings-on and local and farther-afield travels, along with stories of our daily lives.
The 2008 debut of the Museum’s blog teed up the 33rd edition of Birds in Art, our flagship exhibition. 2019 marks the exhibition’s 44th anniversary, and over the next few days we’ll welcome more than seventy artists from around the world to celebrate the opening of this year’s exhibition on Saturday, September 7. Be an early bird on Saturday morning – the Museum opens at 9:00. Get a jumpstart on Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend, be among the first to check out the new exhibition.
The Power of Positive Reviews
Posted on December 04, 2019