It takes a lot to stand out in a professional gallery setting, but the advanced art students from Wausau East and West high schools consistently rise to the occasion. Each year, the “Portfolios” exhibition transforms the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s West Gallery into a showcase of local teenage talent, featuring seniors who have pared down their years of high school art assignments into a highly conceptual, cohesive body of work. The public gallery exhibit not only gives these young artists a professional platform before they graduate from high school, but it serves as a proud reflection of Wausau’s collaborative spirit and the community’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of creatives.

Coinciding with National Art Month this April, the “Portfolios” exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum opens on March 28 and runs through April 19. The free exhibit showcases the efforts of International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) art students from both high schools. Rather than simply taping their classwork to a school hallway or displaying it at a student art fair, these teenagers collaborate directly with professional museum educators to design their gallery layouts, draft comprehensive artist statements and publicly present their creative themes.

The unique partnership not only shatters the “stuffy” stereotype of traditional art galleries, but it also validates the students’ passions, proving that their burgeoning talent belongs on the same walls as international artists. By dedicating its West Gallery space to these young creators, the museum aims to champion homegrown talent and prove that art can be a serious, rigorous career path rather than just a hobby.

“It’s important for us to use our platform to encourage kids to follow their passions,” said Bryce Cebulla, the museum’s marketing and communication manager. “Some people believe that art can’t be a career or it’s more of a hobby, but we definitely don’t want to encourage that sort of thinking because there’s so many creatives in our community regardless of their age ... it’s important for us to bring it home and create something that celebrates what we have here and for us to showcase our roots.”

“The fact that we are having our high school community kids exhibiting alongside international artists like your Warhols and Basquiats, I mean, that’s pretty amazing,” said Joel Pataconi, Wausau East art teacher and department chair.

The annual exhibit was first developed several years ago to fulfill a gallery display requirement for Wausau East’s IB art curriculum.

“Just on a whim, I thought I’d contact the Woodson because we’ve got so many great opportunities here in Wausau,” Pataconi said. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that within five minutes of the conversation that they’d say they’d absolutely love to do that.”

Wausau West’s AP art program later joined the collaboration. Despite the fact that an exhibition isn’t strictly required for AP scoring, Wausau West art teacher and department lead Samantha Slowiak saw immense value in introducing her students to the professional experience.

“It just elevates it to a whole new level. It’s a professional setting and I don’t think our students even comprehend it until they get into the museum setting,” said Slowiak.

Generally, 12 to 15 high school seniors participate, showcasing multiple pieces that highlight their work around a specific theme. Together, the students provide artwork across a wide variety of mediums, including painting, charcoal, colored pencil, sculpture, mixed media, digital art and photography. Museum educators work closely with the students early in the year to provide professional critiques and help plan the gallery layout, labels and positioning.

“Our museum educators, Emily and Rachel, go to the schools and work with the students, giving them some feedback that’s outside of the teachers’ perspective, more of like a high-level professional art critique,” Cebulla said.

“We get so close to the work you really can’t see it clearly anymore, you kind of feel like a pseudo-parent in a way,” Pataconi said. “So it’s really nice to have a set of qualified, trained expert eyes on this that gives a totally different perspective.”

When all is said and done, students pack up their portfolios (sometimes up to a dozen art pieces) and take it to the museum for display. At a special artist’s reception on Saturday, April 11, students will present their work to the public, sharing artists statements and speaking to the themes and processes involved in their portfolios. That will be at 3 p.m. in the exhibit gallery.

“I think that’s the most special thing about actually teaching art — you get to know their work, see where they were at, where they started and where they finish, and get to know that kid,” Pataconi said. “It’s a super proud moment to just sit and hear them speak about their artwork.”

The exhibit itself will open on Saturday, March 28, unveiling the students’ work to the public. Cebulla said museum patrons and staff are consistently “stunned” by the professional quality of the artwork produced by these local teenagers.

“It’s just mind-blowing to think that people younger than us are producing these things, and really in a short timeframe, too,” she said. “Art has no clock, really. We see artists that take years to finish their works and these students are finishing multiple pieces within less than a full school year. It really strikes you.”

For the students, their parents, friends and teachers, it’s a full-circle moment, meaningfully showcasing their talents and the skills they’ve developed over their high school years.

“Seeing that growth from where they were as a freshman and just learning the basics and building it, to then having to create that many pieces and being challenged to think deeper than surface level — it’s just it’s a really incredible process,” Slowiak said.

The exhibit isn’t just for those acquainted with the students, however; the Portfolios exhibit consistently draws a significant number of visitors who are interested in local art and the future of the community’s creative scene.

“We definitely see a big attendance spike during the student art month,” Cebulla said. “People like to see locally produced things and are supportive of people in our community. The level of creativity and the skill in these students is so incredible — and people know that.”

The Portfolios exhibit proves that world-class art doesn’t just arrive in Wausau from far across the globe; it is actively cultivated right here in local classrooms. The exhibit is free to the public during the museum’s regular hours, offering everyone the rare chance to better understand Wausau’s youth and see the world through their distinct artistic expression and perspective. It’s a true celebration of Wausau’s creative roots, reminding both the students and the community that with the right support, a high school passion can become a lifelong ambition.

Art in their own words

Some of the student artists participating in the Portfolios exhibit at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum next month were able to share their thoughts on the experience, and their student art career, with City Pages. These responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

What does it mean to you to have your artwork professionally displayed at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum?

Having my work up in the Leigh Yawkey museum is like a dream. As a kid I grew up taking trips to the Leigh Yawkey and always saw it as so fun and interesting to see these showcases. To be an artist that now gets to have my work at the Leigh Yawkey it really shows how far I’ve come and the thousands of hours spent creating was worth it. -Tianna Poulos, Wausau West

It is an incredible experience, and working with the curators and directors—Rachel, Emily, and Shannon—has made it even more meaningful. It really would not be the same without them. Being able to collaborate with them, not only in creating my work but also in deciding how it is displayed, is truly unforgettable. You can tell that everyone at the museum genuinely loves what they do, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such passionate and talented people. -Kennedy Scribner, Wausau West

What is the central theme of the portfolio you are presenting?

I’ve been struggling with anxiety for a few years now and my work really delves into how routines, coping mechanisms and external pressures affect mental regulation and further alter and shape self-perception. I also chose this topic because it not only allowed me to focus and learn more about myself (in a non-narcissistic way) but also helped me communicate thoughts and feelings that were difficult to express in words. Through my art I really wanted to create something people could connect with; everyone experiences uncertainty, and it is okay to not have everything figured out. That idea is reflected in my process as well; with each piece, I knew something would come next, but I didn’t always know what that would look like. -Kennedy Scribner

I think there is a grotesque beauty in our connections to our animalistic origins, which is why I chose the theme of animals and humans, and how their behaviours compare. There are so many interesting human behaviours to explore that often parallel animals of the wild, and I believe that these specific traits bring light to seemingly complex human behaviours. -Fiona Ballard, Wausau East

My portfolio shows how traditional medicines, ones used in hospital settings or prescribed by a doctor, can work hand in hand with non-traditional medicines, at home remedies. I really focused on displaying as many different healing processes as I could to show the wide range there is. I chose this concentration because it perfectly blended my two interests of science and art. -Madeline Mudler, Wausau West

My concentration revolves around the circus, specifically the different perspectives of the circus. Whether that be from the animal, audience or performer perspective, I want my pieces to make you feel like you are at the circus and taking in every aspect of it. This idea was majorly inspired by my mom, who, as a person right out of high school, had applied to clown school. She didn’t end up getting in but her love for the circus has been lifelong and it’s definitely something that has become an interest of mine as well. -Morgan Wisniewski, Wausau West

I was inspired by the idea of being “out of touch.” Throughout my life I have experienced a lot especially as a kid. I never fully felt like I had a place and as I grew up I started to see others who felt the same and struggled to describe what these feelings were and how they felt. I wanted my concentration to not only show my own emotions but also relate to others like me who always feel like something is different about them in both positive and negative aspects of life. -Tianna Poulos

If you had to direct a visitor to just one of your artworks, which one would it be and why?

I am particularly fond of my oil painting “Hatred, Bottled.” It was the first work I created for my portfolio, and, although similar in medium, it differs from my other works stylistically. Conceptually, it illustrates the symbolic spreading of hatred between people; this is a pattern that I often notice recurring throughout the world, and is an issue that is most personally important to me. This painting is one of my most intimate personal expressions, and is something through which I hope to connect with the viewer. -Fiona Ballard

I would choose my project titled “Clarabelle.” It’s not only a very large piece, but it’s also very important to me because it’s of my mom. I used this piece to make my mom into the clown she had wanted to be early in life. I asked her what she thought her clown would look like. It also happens to be a piece made with one of my favorite mediums, oil pastels. -Morgan Wisniewski

I would direct a viewer to my piece “Eleventh Hour” because it most clearly communicates the themes of digital fatigue and exhaustion that run throughout my portfolio. It reflects the feeling of being overwhelmed after long days of overexertion, overwhelm, and constantly trying to catch up, which is something I personally relate to. -Kennedy Scribner

I would direct them to “Unceasing Myelin Construction,” which features two construction workers drawn with pen looking at a glowing Nupastel neuron. This piece is one of the strongest I’ve done this year as far as style, composition and technique. The idea behind the piece is to symbolize how medicine is an ever-changing field. I specifically hit on Multiple Sclerosis and how there is no cure for this particular disease, yet. My mom and aunt both suffer from MS so this piece gave me a way to showcase something important to me. -Madeline Mudler

Out of my pieces the one I would most like visitors to view is “Baby’s Big Responsibilities.” I feel this is my most impactful piece and one that many people can relate to. This piece is about the struggle of poverty, and how even when we avoid putting the struggles onto the children they still feel a sense of responsibility for their family’s money. -Tianna Poulos

Knowing your artwork would be displayed, did you approach this project differently?

Knowing my work would be displayed in a professional museum setting — alongside artists who do this for a living — raised the stakes. While the AP portfolio itself is already challenging, having a smaller, more specialized audience interpreting my work made me more aware of how clearly my ideas were communicated. -Kennedy Scribner

I like being vulnerable and clear in my communication of artistic expression. Many of my works illustrate other themes that I am interested in, like female portraiture and different eras of vintage fashion. When approaching this project, I simply aspire to put forth my work in a way that most genuinely exhibits my identity and thoughts so as to connect to the viewers of this exhibition. -Fiona Ballard

Has this experience changed how you view your future in the arts? Are you planning to pursue art after graduation?

Through AP art I’ve learned to view the deeper meanings within my own artwork as well as other peoples. It has also challenged me to think deeper and push those meanings behind my pieces past surface level. I plan to attend UW Milwaukee in the fall for art and I couldn’t be more excited to pursue my education further in art. -Tianna Poulos

This experience has further solidified my interest in pursuing a career in the arts, not only as an artist, but also a curator. I greatly value the pursuit of art in tandem with academics. -Fiona Ballard

I always knew I wanted to pursue art after graduation. I was just never sure what exactly it would be. I honestly still am not 100% sure what I want to do, but doing this class has given me the confidence that whatever I end up doing is going to be OK and that I am good enough to have art as a career in my future. -Morgan Wisniewski

After graduation, I plan to study architecture in college, and the Wausau West art program played a major role in that decision. Through this process, I have learned discipline and the importance of time management but also to test the boundaries of mental limits while also recognizing the need for balance. -Kennedy Scribner

Although I don’t plan to pursue art in an academic setting, I still want it to be a part of my life. This year in AP has grown my passion for art even more and shown me how important it is to me. I already have art opportunities lined up. -Madeline Mudler

Why should people consider visiting this exhibit?

This exhibit is so unique in the aspect that none of our concentrations or focuses are the same. You should not only visit to support young artists but you should come because it is a genuinely amazing display filled with beautiful work by talented artists in the community. -Tianna Poulos

This exhibit is going to be jam-packed full of insanely talented artists. All of my peers have put out absolutely amazing work that will most definitely inspire anyone who comes to check it out. -Madeline Mudler

It highlights the creativity and dedication of young artists who are pursuing art out of passion rather than as a profession. The community has a unique opportunity to see how students develop and express their ideas, and the quality of work is genuinely impressive. -Kennedy Scribner