Day Trips
Baltimore Museum of Art – Amy Sherald: American Sublime
THURSDAY, FEBRAURY 26, 2026
8:30am – 5pm
COST: $130
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Amy Sherald: American Sublime traces the evolution of the artist, a defining voice of her generation who transformed American portraiture. The exhibition tells the story of Sherald’s vision and practice through 38 paintings created from 2007 to the present—from her early, rarely seen works to her iconic, larger-than-life portraits of Black Americans in everyday moments, many of which were painted in Baltimore and feature Baltimore-based models.
In 2016, Sherald made history as the first African American to win the grand prize in the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition for her painting Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance). That recognition led to the commission of the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama for the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Both works are featured in American Sublime, among many other highlights, including the cultural touchstone commissioned for Vanity Fair, a portrait of Breonna Taylor; the triptych Ecclesia (The Meeting of Inheritance and Horizons); and the bold painting Trans Forming Liberty.
This day trip will depart from Shepherd University by van at 8:30am to head to Baltimore, and arrive back around 5pm. A guided tour of the exhibit and lunch are included. There will also be time to explore other exhibits. Read more about the exhibits at the Baltimore Museum of Art at artbma.org.
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Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk at Ferry Hill
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
3 –5:30PM
COST: Free (Donations welcome)
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult – Walking stick recommended
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED** – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Register and join Kathy Bilton and Claudine Lebeau for a 2+ hour walk at Ferry Hill where we will marvel at the many signs of spring and welcome ephemeral wildflowers and early-blooming shrubs. Among them we will see:
Spicebushes, Spring Beauties, Cut-leaf Toothworts, Hepaticas, Bloodroots, Dutchman’s Breeches, Toadshade Trilliums, Leatherwoods, Pennsylvania sedges, Pawpaws, Early Saxifrages, Violets and more.
It is through their mutual fascination in the ecology of Ferry Hill that Kathy and Claudine formed a bond. Kathy has led walks for the local Audubon Society and the Botanical Society of Washington. Claudine has led walks for the Maryland Native Plant Society.
Parking will be to the right of the Ferry Hill Mansion. To get there, cross the Rumsey Bridge and turn left at the top of the hill, just across from Canal Road. Map coordinates: 39.4386440934824, -77.79795235242912
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Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk on the C&O Canal Towpath
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
3 –5:30PM
COST: Free (Donations to welcome)
Difficulty: Easy
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED** – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Register and join Kathy Bilton and Claudine Lebeau for a 2+ hour walk on the C&O Canal Towpath where we will marvel at the many signs of spring and welcome ephemeral wildflowers and budding shrubs. Among them we will see:
Spring Beauties, Corydalis, Dutchman’s Breeches, Squirrel Corns, Bloodroots, Virginia Bluebells, Mayapples, Virginia Waterleaves, Flowering Spicebushes, Bladdernuts, Pawpaws, Violets and much more.
It is through their mutual fascination in the ecology of Ferry Hill that Kathy and Claudine formed a bond. Kathy has led walks for the local Audubon Society and the Botanical Society of Washington. Claudine has led walks for the Maryland Native Plant Society.
Parking will be in the overflow parking lot, downriver from the Rumsey Bridge. To get there, cross the bridge and turn right onto Canal Road at the top of the hill. Go down the hill, and continue past the smaller lot to the large lot after the railroad bridge. Map coordinates: 39.43380717860721, -77.7950040905135
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Dakota Glass Works and Farms Work Wonders in Wardensville, WV
THURSDAY, MAY 7
9am – 4pm
COST: TBD – Registration Coming Soon
This day of hands-on learning will explore the exciting new Farms Work Wonders project in Wardensville, WV. This exploration will include a farm tour, glass-blowing workshop, and farm-to-table lunch, as we learn more about the innovative ways we can invest in Appalachian communities.
If you’ve driven through Wardensville in the last five years, you know something wonderful is in the air. Maybe it’s the smell of freshly baked bread or newly tilled fields. Or maybe it’s because once boarded up buildings are now bustling with new businesses like the Wardensville Garden Market, Lewis Farm, Dakota Glass Works, Mack’s Bingo Bakery, and Mack’s Bingo Kitchen (voted best new restaurant in 2023) – all of which are part of the Farms Work Wonders project.
In 2016, Jonathan D. Lewis, founder and board chair of Jonathan D. Lewis Foundation, launched Farms Work Wonders, an experimental pilot project in Wardensville. His nonprofit focuses on creating opportunities for local youth through food-, farm-, and arts-based social enterprises where youth are provided employment and taught essential skills.
Join us to make something beautiful from hot glass, enjoy lunch in a living classroom (rated the best casual dining in West Virginia in 2024), and learn more about this exciting initiative.