The Shepherd University Art Department went on an overnight trip on Thursday, Sept. 25, to New York City.
The department took approximately 45 students and 8 faculty members to New York and let them explore the city, according to Dr. Karen Gergely “There really wasn’t a purpose to the trip,” she said.
The department wanted to let students explore the culture of the city and see some of the art that New York has to offer. Essentially, the trip aimed to expand the horizons of art students, Gergely said.
Hayley Grene, a sophomore student that went to New York City, said the trip was a wonderful experience for her. “It was beneficial for me as an artist,” she said. The trip allowed her to see a lot of really great artwork that isn’t available around Shepherdstown, according to Grene. “To be a good artist, you have to exposed to lots of art,” Grene said.
Dr. Gergely, who also went on the trip, talked about the unique opportunity she had to see the last Jeff Koons show at the Whitney Museum. Jeff Koons, an artist that Gergely admires, had a big selection of art at the museum. It was one of the last art exhibits that the Whitney would show before they moved locations.
Gergely says that the art department usually takes a full bus of students to New York City every fall so they can experience the big city. This year, students stayed at the SoHotel, a boutique hotel at which the department has stayed for the last few years.
Faculty and students alike said they had a wonderful experience during the trip. The artwork, experiencing a different culture and exploring some place new were all said to be highlights of the trip.