Art Exhibitions in Wausau

Past Exhibitions

Browse our past art exhibitions in Wausau, which featured a rich array of art inspired by nature, wildlife, and cultural narratives from all over the world.

Five Decades and Counting

At the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, we’ve brought together nature, creativity, and community in ways that continue to spark joy. Join us as we look back at the incredible artists and collections that have graced our halls.

Recent Exhibitions

Aqueous: Painted in Water

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.

Sacred Nature

JUN 7, 2025 - AUG 24, 2025

Sacred Nature

Sacred Nature, the thought-provoking exhibition by wildlife photographers and conservationists Jonathan and Angela Scott, explores the profound connection between humans and the natural world, highlighting the urgent need for environmental preservation through stunning imagery and compelling storytelling.

Double Exposure: Community Portaits

JUN 7, 2025 - AUG 24, 2025

Double Exposure: Community Portaits

Experience the full range of the photographic process in this immersive exhibition featuring Hmong American artist Pao Houa Her. Her’s portraits capture the diverse expressions of community, identity, and diaspora. Visitors will have opportunities to interact with portrait photography as the exhibition evolves in the galleries over the course of a few months.

Myth & Folly

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.

Gridiron Garments

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.”

Kimono: Garment, Canvas, & Artistic Muse

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.

Portfolios 2025

MAR 29, 2025 - APR 27, 2025

Portfolios 2025

Wausau East High School International Baccalaureate (IB) art students collaborate with Advanced Placement (AP) art students from Wausau West to present highlights from their respective art portfolios, the result of rigorous program curricula.

Student Art Exhibition 2025

MAR 15, 2025 - APR 27, 2025

Student Art Exhibition 2025

March 15 – April 27, 2025
Celebrate Youth Art Month and the creative efforts of central and north central Wisconsin students in grades 5-8 via the 48th annual Student Art Exhibition. Each March, the nation promotes art education by focusing on student work. This exhibition is open to submissions from art educators teaching in public, parochial, and home schools in central and north central Wisconsin.

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A Look Back at Our Exhibitions

Reflect on the beauty, creativity, and history of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s past exhibitions. Each display highlights a connection between nature, culture, and innovation, highlighting our mission to inspire and educate through artistic excellence.

Reflecting on Our Past

The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s past exhibitions highlight a legacy of artistic progress and cultural exploration. From nature-inspired works to contemporary cityscapes and narratives, each former art exhibit in Wausau celebrated the diversity and creativity of art while offering fresh perspectives.

When you examine our past exhibitions, you’ll get more than just a glimpse into our history—you will learn about the ever-evolving dialogue between art, nature, and culture. These former exhibitions not only showcase artistic excellence but also illustrate how art shapes and reflects the identity of our community. As you delve into the Woodson’s rich history, we hope you see how our past achievements continue to influence and inspire our future endeavors.

The Lasting Legacy of Birds in Art

Among the many former exhibitions that define Woodson’s legacy, Birds in Art stands as a cornerstone, uniting nature and art since 1976. Since then, it has featured works from artists around the world and highlights the beauty, grace, and emotion of avian life through various artistic mediums.

Each year, this renowned art exhibit in Wausau opens on the first Saturday following Labor Day, coinciding with Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend.

Over the decades, Birds in Art has featured works from hundreds of artists, both established and emerging, always being sure to offer fresh interpretations of avian life. Our commitment to this theme has led to the development of a comprehensive collection of avian art, setting a world standard for such works.

At the Woodson Art Museum, our mission is to enhance lives through art, and our past exhibitions show how we provide visitors with an immersive experience—celebrating both artistic expression and the natural world. If you’re interested in exploring the evolution of avian art, our archive offers a rich history of past Birds in Art exhibitions. It showcases the progression of styles, techniques, and themes over the years.

Art as a Medium for Environmental Reflection

Art has the power to spark dialogue about the world we live in. At the Woodson Art Museum, we use our former art exhibitions to foster conversation about sustainability and stewardship.
One such exhibition, Art Deco Glass from the Huchthausen Collection, celebrated the craftsmanship of Royal Worcester bird figurines and elegant glass baskets. Beyond their beauty, these pieces underscored the importance of preserving the natural landscapes and species that inspire such artistry.

This exhibition and others like it encouraged visitors to consider how their actions impact the environment and to reflect on art’s role in promoting environmental awareness. Just as these works illuminated the relationship between nature and art, our past exhibitions have also explored the diverse cultural stories that shape our understanding of the world.

Cultural Stories Through Artistic Lenses

The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s past exhibitions have celebrated global traditions and explored the rich tapestry of human stories. By presenting a diverse cultural narrative, these exhibitions invite visitors to connect with the experiences and histories of communities worldwide.

A standout exhibition, Many Visions, Many Versions: Art From Indigenous Communities in India, showcased the vibrant artistic traditions of India’s Indigenous communities. Themes ranged from mythology and cosmology to nature and modern village life. This exhibition not only celebrated artistic diversity but also highlighted our shared desire to preserve and honor cultural heritage.

Bridging Art and Community

Our exhibitions have always been more than just displays of artistic excellence—they’re a way to bring people together. We hope our exhibitions foster meaningful connections between artists, audiences, and the broader community.

The exhibition, Community Mosaic, highlighted our mission by having visitors contribute to a collaborative artwork. Our goal with this exhibition was to remind visitors that art is not only a form of expression but also a powerful tool for building community and fostering meaningful dialogue.