Matt Foss, director
In many people’s lives (mine included), summer is wedding season. While fortunately not every weekend during the summer, it seems like there is at least one wedding a month for a friend or family member. Fall is noticeably quieter but tends to be the “save the date” season for next summer’s weddings. Come winter, our refrigerator is practically a Shutterfly photo collage of couples ready to tie the knot. If you also suffer from the same affliction, I’ve got bad news for you: there’s another save the date that you need, but the good news is that it’s from the Museum.
On January 30, the Woodson Art Museum, in partnership with the Wausau Nordic Ski Club, and visiting artist Marina Mangubi, is hosting the area’s first ever Painting Biathlon at Nine Mile Forest Recreation Area.
The Painting Biathlon is just as it sounds: a 4K ski race where competitors will stop to paint (rather than shoot). Following the race, spectators will decide whether the paintings hit their marks. Simply enough, competitors (want to be one?!?) will ski 2K, stop to paint, and then ski the final 2K. While the race is underway, there will be family-friendly art making activities on site for those wanting to try their hand at painting too without having to compete in the race.
Painting Biathlon process installation, 2015-2022; detail
Individual drawings accompanying paintings and video projections, marker on dibond, 1 3/4 X 2 1/4 in each
So potential competitors and attendees can have ample time to put this on their calendars, the Museum put out a handy save the date available at multiple locations inside the Museum! With no obligation to bring a gift, watch people force cake down each other’s gullets, or buy a dress or suit for the occasion you’ll never wear again, the Painting Biathlon is the save the date you just might want the most.
