The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, celebrated the 50th anniversary of its annual "Birds in Art" exhibition in September 2024. The show, the largest in its history, features 142 artworks by 142 artists from 16 countries, including paintings, sculptures, and collages. The exhibition originated in 1976 as "Birds of the Lakes, Fields, and Forests," organized by wildlife artist Owen J. Gromme, and has since become a premier global showcase for modern bird art. This year's selection included 101 works chosen from 1,160 entries, plus 41 pieces by past Master Wildlife Artists from the museum's collection.
This milestone matters because it highlights how a small, regional museum can host a world-class, internationally recognized exhibition that has shaped the genre of avian art for half a century. The show's longevity and rigorous jury process demonstrate the enduring appeal and artistic evolution of bird-themed art, while drawing artists and visitors from around the globe to a community of just 40,000. The exhibition also underscores the role of philanthropy—by the Yawkey and Woodson families—in sustaining cultural institutions outside major art hubs.