Changing Exhibits

During the COVID-19 pandemic new methods of teaching, shopping, dating, and creating art became the byproducts of necessity. The world was forced to adapt. . Artists, along the with rest of the world, had to pivot. Pivot!—a  new exhibit in the Ward Museum’s Welcome Gallery—will feature the work of established local artists whose subject matter and media were approached through the lens of a “new normal,” since the pandemic began.

Oliver “Tuts” Lawson: A retrospective, will feature pieces that tell the story of a living legend among decoy carvers. From his days as a teenager carving birds using strawberry baskets found while working at a grocery store in Crisfield, MD, to eclectic commissions and the many masterful birds made over a lifetime of dedication to craft, this exhibit in the LaMay Gallery  is rich with beautiful work and a unique history rooted in local cultural tradition.

Every other year, the Ward Museum dedicates gallery space to exhibit artwork from the Ward Foundation’s multi-talented volunteers. This year’s exhibit will feature carvings, paintings, photography, stained glass, and even model ships – all made by the Museum’s gifted volunteers. Visionary Volunteers: The Volunteer Art Show is currently on display in the Welcome Gallery.

From colorful amate paintings, to intricate huipil fabric designs, fanciful alebrije sculpture, and modern printmaking–birds grace many of the vibrant art forms produced by the peoples of Mexico, and Mexican-Americans living in the United States.

This summer’s exhibit at the Ward Museum will highlight some of the many traditional art forms featuring birds, which are carried on by the artists and makers of Mexico. It will also feature birds in contemporary works created by artists living in the U.S. with heritage connected to Mexico.

Los pájaros adornan muchas de las vibrantes formas de arte producidas por los pueblos de México y los mexicano-estadounidenses que viven en los Estados Unidos, desde las coloridas pinturas amate hasta los intrincados diseños de telas de huipil, las fantásticas esculturas de alebrije y los grabados modernos.

La exhibición de este verano en el Museo Ward destacará algunas de las muchas formas de arte tradicionales con aves, que son llevadas a cabo por los artistas y creadores de México. También contará con aves en obras contemporáneas creadas por artistas que viven en los EEUU con herencia relacionada con México.

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! This whimsical exhibit is sure to be fun for the whole family.