Changing Exhibits

From emancipation in Maryland, to life as a young woman in the 1960s, to Black watermen of the Chesapeake—the story quilts of Dr. Joan Gaither tell powerful biographical stories of her life, the lives of those around her, and the lives of those who came before her. An artist, educator, and 2017 Maryland Heritage Award winner, Dr. Gaither is a master at interpreting autobiographical and community stories through multimedia quilts—sometimes on her own, and often with the assistance and vision of whole communities. Experience this unique exhibit, which will feature a made-for-exhibit Eastern Shore quilt created with the participation of regional communities engaged in workshops leading up to the show.

Experience a new exhibit that will immerse visitors in the vibrancy and power of nature, as interpreted through the work of Delaware-based fine artist Eileen Olson. Nature in The Abstract: The Art of Eileen Olson features the unique abstract expressionist style Eileen is known for, and it will include brand new works debuting at the exhibit, exploring the dynamic natural world around us. Join us in taking a journey through the vision and artistry of Eileen Olson. Nature in The Abstract will run early June through November 1, 2020 in the Welcome Gallery. An opening reception and artist talk will be scheduled.

Featured in the museum’s Welcome Gallery, the Student Art Show is a non-competitive display of student artwork open to all students (PreK – Grade 12) in public and private schools, as well as home-schooled students. Showcasing hundreds of pieces of art, the theme for this year’s Student Art Show is “Living Patterns” – because if you look closely enough, patterns are everywhere in nature. From the symmetry on a butterfly’s wings, to the striped coloration on a smallmouth bass, nature is made up of patterns. For the 2020 Student Art Show, the Ward Museum asked students to find a pattern in nature that inspired them; whether that pattern was symmetry, spots and stripes, spirals, or even fractals. Student submitted artwork includes paintings, drawings, pastels, crayons, photography, sculpture, and more.

April 2020 will bring the 50th annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival. In celebration of this milestone, the Ward Museum’s LaMay Gallery will feature some of the “Best in World” winning pieces, starting with the very first from 1971. See some of the finest examples of gunning decoys and many of the most innovative interpretive sculptures the wildfowl carving community has to offer. Opening reception January 17, 5 p.m.

Charley Harper’s highly stylized wildlife prints, posters, and book illustrations have captivated generations of viewers. Readers and art enthusiasts may know his work from The Giant Golden Book of Biology, Ford Times, or any of the over 50 ecological and conservation posters he created for non-profit conservation groups, nature centers, zoos, U.S. national parks and monuments, and international wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.

The Ward Museum is excited to display a large collection of Charley Harper prints as part of Charley Harper’s Bird Extravaganza! In addition to the indoor exhibit, the Extravaganza continues outside as well. Get up close and personal with nature as you search for Harper’s birds and their real-life counterparts in a bird-themed scavenger hunt. The hunt takes place on the Norman and Judy Glenn and Eugene Burkett Nature Trails alongside the Ward Museum. This whimsical exhibit is sure to be fun for the whole family.