Changing Exhibits

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.

Longer days, warming air, and new birds chirping all around—all these are sure signs of spring on the Delmarva Peninsula. This new exhibit highlights some of the beautiful spring birds that make their appearance in our region each year. These birds join us to nest or refuel during long journeys along the Atlantic Flyway, a sort of bird superhighway that stretches from South America north through Canada, to Greenland.

The exhibit also features some of our year-round feathered residents, which show their own signs of spring: new colors, new preferred habitats, and new life in tow—lines of ducklings and goslings waddling along. Visit Signs of Spring in the Welcome Gallery this spring to view a range of vibrant works of art, and learn about the beautiful migratory birds that will visit us this season, and resident birds about to show off.

For the 2021 Student Art Show, we are collecting student works of art of all media expressing the connections between the environment and social distancing – getting outdoors, staying indoors, seeing new wildlife, paintings, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, sculptures, photography, video, and more.

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.

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.