Princeton Artists Alliance has used art as commentary on social and political issues for 25 years. “Politics of Water,” first exhibited at the Woodrow Wilson School’s Bernstein Gallery in 2016, will now be housed at the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association’s Garden Club of Princeton Gallery beginning Wednesday, September 27.
Twenty-two artists respond to such issues as climate change, dried up lakes and riverbeds, and how local economies and natural habitats have been affected. Some have focused on the degradation of our oceans and waterways by human pollution. Another focus has been the level of conflict or cooperation between neighboring states with growing populations as they negotiate access to a limited water supply.
“There is no better place than the Watershed Center to exhibit art that raises awareness of our environmental challenges,” said Jim Waltman, executive director of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. “Right here in the U.S., we have ongoing water crises. Most recently, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma inflicted untold damage. The PennEast Pipeline project threatens water supplies and land right here in our own backyard, and the lead crisis made famous in Flint, Michigan, is still contaminating drinking water. And as bottled water outsells soft drinks in the U.S., plastic waste has become a major environmental problem.”
The Princeton Garden Club Gallery at the Watershed Center, donated by Penny and Ted Thomas of Princeton, is a beautiful space to showcase the work of the Princeton Artists Alliance. The public is invited to view the exhibit and to visit the Watershed Center. The Watershed Association is a non-profit member-supported organization that works to keep water clean, safe, and healthy in central New Jersey through advocacy, science, and education. The Watershed Center is a model of sustainability, green architecture, and landscaping, and demonstrates the energy and water conservation features of the future. You can find out more about the Watershed at www.thewatershed.org.
The public is invited to an opening reception and panel discussion on Wednesday, September 27, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Watershed Center for Environmental Advocacy, Science and Education, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. A panel of experts from government, academia, and the non-profit sector will discuss the biggest water challenge now dominating the news: flooding caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Karen Florini is vice president for programs at Climate Central, where her role includes developing and implementing communications strategies that reach and move large U.S. and global audiences as well as key decision-makers. In addition, she leads the integration of Climate Central’s program efforts and oversees the creation and distribution of the group’s products to the public and thought leaders. Florini is also a visiting fellow at the Oxford Martin School of the University of Oxford.
This display will be available free to the public during Watershed Center hours, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To RSVP for the opening reception, e-mail jkershner@thewatershed.org.
Watershed Center for Environmental Advocacy, Science and Education, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. www.thewatershed.org.
