WAUSAU, WI.- The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Birds in Art this fall. Since 1976, Birds in Art has presented original paintings, sculptures, and graphics created by artists from around the world, celebrating avian marvels through fresh artistic interpretations.


Randy Van Dyck, Re Pear, 2025, acrylic on cradled panel.

When the daughters of Leigh Yawkey Woodson–Nancy Woodson Spire, Alice Woodson Forester, and Margaret Woodson Fisher – and their families envisioned an art museum in honor of their mother and as a gift to Wausau and north central Wisconsin, none of them could have predicted what ensued. That Alice Woodson Forester and her husband John E. Forester would call upon their friend, artist, ornithologist, and environmentalist Owen Gromme, to lend a hand in developing the Woodson Art Museum’s inaugural exhibition was not only serendipity, but also fortunately auspicious. That inaugural exhibition, Birds of the Lakes, Fields and Forests, morphed and grew into the internationally known and respected Birds in Art.


Craig Blietz, Vortex, 2025, sumi ink, casein, acrylic and graphite on Arches hot press paper.

The fiftieth annual exhibition features artworks by 102 artists selected by a panel of jurors, including international artists representing 16 countries, and 41 previously named Master Wildlife Artists. This year, 703 artists submitted 1,160 artworks for consideration by the jury. Find a complete list of artists attached.

More than eighty artists attended the opening festivities, several of whom participated in interactive programs and live demonstrations throughout the weekend.


Gigi Chen, Vacancy, 2023, acrylic on wood panel.

A full color illustrated catalogue featuring every artwork along with artists’ statements will be available for purchase in September. Additionally, five distinct artwork posters, five artwork stickers, and Birds in Art Fifty artist-designed t-shirts will be available for purchase at the Museum. The exhibition will remain on view through January 4, 2026.

For more information, visit www.lywam.org, e-mail the Museum at info@lywam.org, call 715-845-7010, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.