Birds in Art

Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum

Wausau, WI

(715) 845-7010

Birds in Art

As cool autumn weather descends on Wisconsin, Birds in Art settles into place for the 23rd consecutive year at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin.

From September 12 through November 1, the interests of art enthusiasts, birders, and nature lovers come together in a panorama of all-new artworks that soars to new heights each year. The 1998 edition of Birds in Art features 106 paintings. sculptures, and works on paper by 98 artists who hail from the four comers of the earth. Nine works by California watercolorist Thomas Quinn will be highlighted in honor of Quinn being named the 1998 Master Wildlife Artist.

In Birds of Art, viewers discover a colorful tapestry of artistic interpretations and styles by artists who bring a global perspective to our universal passion for birds. Birds of prey, songbirds, shorebirds, upland game birds - all have a place in this tapestry. So do humor and whimsy as well as the harsh realities and sheer beauty of nature.

With birds and humans increasingly "crossing paths," it comes as no surprise that many artists include a human element in their work. These manmade items range from fence posts and fishing boats to household items like a bright yellow bowl filled with speckled quail eggs. Birds also alight on brawnier objects like a vice grip, rusty bulldozer, and the front fender of a Studebaker Champion.

The Museum has longer hours--until 8:00 p.m.on Tuesdays during Birds in Art. And on three of the Tuesdays--September 22, October 6, and October 13---music and refreshments will spice things up a bit. These "Evenings at the Woodson" are free and sponsored by City Pages, St. Clair's Menswear, and the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin. Dress casually and bring your appetite for food and art.

From top to bottom: Anne Senechal Faust, A Light in the Forest; photo of Anne Faust; Bart Rulon, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and a Great Blue Heron, 1997, Watercolor on Arches paper, 28 1/2 x 40 inches, Collection of the artist; Joe Garcia, Odd Man Out, 1998, American coot, Watercolor on Arches paper, 26 1/4 x 9 3/4 inches, Collection of the artist; Thomas Quinn, Tide Walk Curlew, 1995, Long-billed curlew, Watercolor on illustration board, 20 x 30 inches, Collection of Sheana and Lewis Butler; Thomas Quinn, Drinking Valley Quail with Wild Iris, 1990, California quail, Gouache on illustration board, 16 x 26 inches, Collection of Tim and Donna Egan.

rev. 11/26/10

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