Wyatt Podgorski, 2026 Summer Intern
My name is Wyatt Podgorski, an intern at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. I’m currently attending St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, where I’m studying art history. A native of Wausau, I’ve grown up always appreciating the fantastic exhibitions and collection of the Woodson Art Museum and am excited to be a part of the Museum this summer.
While I can not recall the exact thing that drew my interest toward art, the Museum certainly played a part. One of my earliest memories is going to see the wintertime displays in the early 2000s with my mother and grandmother. Having the Museum in my own backyard has always been a privilege. I visited the Art Institute of Chicago for the first time this year, and although it’s stuffed with wonderful old masters, I think I still prefer my local art museum.
One of the ways I like to study art is by creating my own art either in the capacity of a craftsman or artist. I find the experience of making something to be incredibly valuable in the information learned as well as a rewarding feeling. While I occasionally like to paint, my main endeavor is in stained glass creation and restoration. For the past several years, I have taught myself traditional techniques, including glass painting. Being able to cut glass as if it were butter and painting using medieval principles proves incredibly satisfying. As a result, I often find myself transported back in time using the same skills and techniques from centuries before, yet making something new. I suppose that’s what I love about art because it seems to be timeless.
