The art department will be sending 20 students to New York City on Wednesday.”In the spring, this trip was really popular with the students,” said Tony Shipp, assistant professor of art. “We’re hoping to be able to keep doing this every year, probably in the fall.”Shipp and assistant professor Sharon King will serve as chaperones as the students tour the city and museums and try to catch a couple of Broadway plays. Shipp said he thinks the trip will help build morale among the students and get them out a little bit to see what the world of art has to offer.”I’ve been saving all summer long for this; I can’t wait,” said Haylee Wood, junior studio art major and Huntsville native. “I think the best thing will be being in a different place than Huntsville.”Junior Laura Robertson, also a studio art major, said she is excited about going to museums and artist’s studios, and hopes her southern heritage won’t cause any problems. “I’m afraid I’m going to get picked on about my accent,” Robertson said.The group will arrive in New York about 1 p.m. on Oct. 23, and immediately immerse themselves in the New York culture before taking a little time out to relax.”We’ll have a walking tour, get our maps and go to Pier 81 for the twilight ferry tour, where we’ll see the Statue of Liberty,” Shipp said. After the tour, students will have dinner in Hell’s Kitchen and the rest of the night will be theirs.Five days full of excitement will follow, with museum tours, a visit to the studio of a performance artist and the chance to watch a few Broadway and off-Broadway shows.Even though a week-long trip to New York is out of reach for most college students, Shipp said getting a great group rate and discount admissions make this trip affordable for the students. Some students have been saving their money, while others will be traveling thanks to the generosity of their parents. “We’ll be putting four in each room at Portland Square, about a half a block from Times Square and Thursday they have half-price tickets for the Broadway shows,” he said.Dean Brian Chapman of the college of Arts and Sciences approved funding for the chaperones.”The students will have free time to do whatever they want to do, but we also have a lot of things planned for them,” Shipp said.”I’m really looking forward to it,” said Chad Ishee, junior advertising and graphic design major. “I’ve only been out of the state of Texas one time. Even though we’re not there yet, I know I’d love to go back again.”