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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.
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.
MAY 4, 2024 - AUG 25, 2024
Women Reframe American Landscape
This exhibition explores the ways in which women have shaped American landscape art. A retrospective of the accomplished American landscape painter Susie Barstow (1836-1923) is presented along with contemporary works that expand and challenge contemporary conceptions of the term “landscape.”
DEC 7, 2024 - FEB 23, 2025
Survival of The Fittest
Featuring works by the “Big Four”, a group of early 19 to 20 century painters—Carl Rungius, Richard Friese, Wilhelm Kuhnert, and Bruno Liljefors—this exhibition examines topics like Indigenous perspectives on nature, Darwinism, colonialism, and conversation.
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.
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.
SEP 7, 2024 - FEB 23, 2025
The Bird Room Redux
This exhibition features three paintings by Midwest artist Nancy Hild, hung in a structure-within-a-structure to create an immersive effect, reproducing her original 2001 exhibition.
JUN 15, 2024 - JAN 26, 2025
BEYOND MEASURE: the art of scale
June 15, 2024 – January 26, 2025
BEYOND MEASURE invites you to delve into the mesmerizing realm of diminutive paintings and sculptures, where grand narratives unfold within the confines of compact dimensions.
From toddlers to retirees—and every stage of life in between—the Woodson offers an enriching experience for all visitors.
Every visit to the Woodson offers new opportunities to learn and grow.
From interactive workshops and family-friendly events to artist talks and guided tours, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
