Category Archives: Blog

A mountain range with a glacial cap and pine trees in a circle painted in watercolor.

Sargent’s Watercolor World

Posted on July 24, 2024
In Brenva Glacier, Purtud, American artist John Singer Sargent invites us to join him in a watercolor world of towering alpine pines, soft meadows, and glacial geographies. Recently acquired by the Woodson Art Museum, the work's wet-on-wet watercolor technique creates a landscape of soft edges and diffused blooms of color whose softness belies the intensive effort that went into its creation.
This image shows actor Jimmy Stewart shaking hands with Woodson Art Museum Master Wildlife Artist Owen Gromme

Mr. Stewart Goes to Wausau

Posted on July 17, 2024
The Jimmy Stewart photograph, and his time at the Woodson, remain an important part of our history.
Emily (second from the left) and her Girl Scout troop at Camp Birch Trails in 2002.

Summer Camp Magic

Posted on July 10, 2024
Summer is hands-down my favorite season. While there are obvious reasons including warmer weather, a break from school, or the smell of fried food drifting out of a stand at the Wisconsin Valley fair, the real reason summer is the superior season can be summed up in two words: summer camp.

A Rewarding Challenge

Posted on July 03, 2024
The summer months are a busy time at the Woodson Art Museum as we gear up for another Birds in Art opening. The entire Museum staff has been working hard to make sure that this year’s exhibit, opening weekend, and accompanying programs are something everyone can enjoy and be proud of.
Ten year old child with long hair stands in the center of the picture holding a baby ostrich

Andy Returns to Wisconsin

Posted on June 26, 2024
How a childhood visit to an ostrich farm sparked my journey to the Woodson Art Museum.
Bryce standing in front of an American Alliance of Museums 2024 Museum Expo backdrop.

A Year in Review

Posted on June 19, 2024
I guess it’s true when they say, “time flies when you’re having fun.” 
A smiling group of Museum docents stand together at the Velveteen Plum

Signs of Summer

Posted on June 12, 2024
On Monday, we all took time out of our busy schedules to pause, celebrate, and thank the hard work of our beloved Museum volunteers during gatherings in the Sculpture Garden and on the rooftop at the Velveteen Plum.
A timeline on a wall with several pedestals with glass artworks on them.

Shining Bright: Glass in New Lights

Posted on June 05, 2024
Woodson Art Museum staff make their way to the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah to see Molten: 30 Years of American Glass, which debuted at the Woodson Art Museum in spring 2022, and will be on view at the Bergstrom-Mahler from May 31 – August 11. The exhibition features fifty plus artworks from the Woodson’s permanent collection.
This image shows the Baltimore waterfront at sunset

The Charm City

Posted on May 29, 2024
As Bryce, Holly, and I settle back into our offices and catch up on what we missed while we are gone, we will remember the days we spent in “The Charm City” with fondness.
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Docent Corps with Bev Smith and Boo Force.

Lifelong Learners

Posted on May 22, 2024
In the past 30 years, I myself have endured and enjoyed many of my own personal docent trainings. My mother always helped my younger sister and I understand the importance of hearing history form others and making note of it. As fellow educator Rachel Hausmann-Schall and I took on the summer docent training, I took time to hear stories of docent classes past from some of our most tenured participants.