Creating Connections Through Creativity
The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum provides hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and enriching programs led by passionate guest artists. These programs have something for people of all ages and life stages to enjoy!
Apply to be a Guest Artist
Find our guidelines for applying to become our next artist-in-residence.
The Glass Box Studio
Guest artists have the opportunity to utilize our studio facilities 24/7.
Artist-Led Programs
Throughout the year, guest artists share their skills with our community with artist-led workshops, lectures, and gallery walks.
Upcoming Guest Artist
Pao Houa Her, July 2025
Pao Houa Her is a Hmong American artist whose practice engages primarily with the legacies and potentials of landscape, portraiture, and documentary photographic traditions and aesthetics, creating works that examine identity, longing, and belonging in Hmong diasporic communities. Pao, whose artworks will be featured in the exhibition Double Exposure: Community Portraits (on view from June 7 through August 24, 2025), will be at the Woodson Art Museum in July 2025 to talk about her work, demonstrate photographic techniques, and interact with Museum visitors.
Recent Guest Artists
Be a Part of Our Canvas
Every visit to the Woodson offers new opportunities to learn and grow.
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Explore, Learn, Create
From interactive workshops and family-friendly events to artist talks and guided tours, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Current Exhibitions
MAY 10, 2025 - AUG 24, 2025
Aqueous: Painted in Water
This exhibition, featuring watercolor artwork from the Woodson’s collection, celebrates the delicate beauty and expressive depth of this captivating medium.
FEB 8, 2025 - JUN 8, 2025
Myth & Folly
This exhibition, featuring artwork from the Woodson’s collection, examines how the use of myth and animals in art allows for the blending of imagination and tradition.
MAR 1, 2025 - JUN 1, 2025
Gridiron Garments
This exhibition, representing a partnership between the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, chronicles the history of pro football uniform design through player-worn artifacts chosen to represent the evolution of these “gridiron garments.”
MAR 1, 2025 - JUN 1, 2025
Kimono: Garment, Canvas, & Artistic Muse
This exhibition showcases woven, dyed, painted, printed, and embroidered designs by historic Japanese textile artists alongside contemporary artworks—made in glass, paper, metal, ceramic, and other materials—from around the world, all inspired by the kimono.
Engage with Visiting Artists in Different Ways
Artist residencies in Wausau held at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum offer a great chance for visitors to learn from professional guest artists. You’ll be able to learn from a diverse roster of visiting artists through a variety of engaging programs. These offerings go beyond traditional workshops—creating a rich tapestry of interactions between participants.
A Multilayered Approach to Art Engagement
Ready to immerse yourself in a hands-on experience? Explore the creative possibilities with our engaging artist-led programs.
- Gallery chats are informal discussions in the gallery where artists share their insights into their work and answer questions.
- Art demonstrations are the occasions when our guest artists create in real time. This offers a rare glimpse into their processes.
- Specialized tours give visitors the chance to join guest artists for a deeper dive into various exhibitions, gaining new perspectives of the artwork on display.
- Art workshops provide hands-on sessions guided by guest artists that allow participants to explore their skills in a collaborative environment.
These diverse opportunities enable visitors to connect with art on a deeper level, encouraging creativity and fostering a sense of community. At the Woodson, we provide these interactive ways to connect with your artistic side while learning directly from accomplished artists.
Gallery Chats During Artist Residencies
Gallery chats at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum create a welcoming space for informal conversations with guest artists. These intimate discussions allow visitors to engage directly with creators—learning about their artistic journeys, techniques, and inspirations.
Our goal with gallery chats is to encourage meaningful dialogue between visitors and our talented guest artists.
We want to help visitors have a personal connection to the artwork and its creator. If these programs or our other art workshops in Wausau interest you, come visit the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and engage with art in a meaningful way.
Art Demonstrations with Guest Artists
Art demonstrations led by guest artists bring the creative process to life. Witness skilled professionals at work as they craft intricate artworks, revealing the techniques and inspiration behind their creations.
These live sessions offer a rare opportunity to see artistry in motion and ask questions directly to the artist. You may be an aspiring creator, or maybe you’re simply curious about the process. Either way, these demonstrations provide a captivating and educational experience that enhances your connection to art.
Specialized Tours During Artist Residencies
Our specialized tours at the Woodson offer visitors the chance to experience exhibitions through the informed lens of a talented guest artist. These tours provide detailed insights into artistic themes, techniques, and inspirations—teaching visitors a new way to interface with art in a meaningful way.
Led by accomplished professionals, these guided experiences connect participants with the stories behind the art, fostering a deeper appreciation for creativity. These tours are perfect for anyone wanting to make a memorable connection to the visual arts at the Woodson.
Workshops Led by Guest Artists
One of the most enriching aspects of our art workshops in Wausau is the chance our visitors have to work directly with accomplished guest artists. These professionals bring experience, new perspectives, and invaluable insights into their artistic craft.
Participants have the opportunity to learn about the creative process, refine their techniques, and gain inspiration from artists who are passionate about their work. Artist-led workshops also allow participants to connect with artists on a personal level, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect. This one-of-a-kind experience helps bridge the gap between artist and audience, turning each session into a new creative journey.
Building Community Through Creativity
At the Woodson, our guest artist programs foster connection and creativity, not just within Wausau but throughout the greater north central Wisconsin area. These programs bring art to life through school outreach initiatives, live demonstrations, and collaborative experiences that spark shared learning and exploration.
By hosting talented guest artists, the Museum serves as a regional hub for artistic engagement. With our guest artist visits and programs, we’re able to provide exceptional artistic opportunities for schools, community groups, and people across north central Wisconsin.
