On view at Stillwater Public Library, October 12 – December 3, 2023
Exhibit
We Are Water MN is an interactive traveling exhibit steeped in stories. Explore the science, history, culture, and relationships of water in Minnesota and the lower St. Croix River Valley. The exhibit will be viewable during library hours from October 12 through December 3, and will feature local water perspectives from Astoria Jespersen, Emily Tweed, Fred Grieco, Greg Seitz, Pam Carlson, Rosie Peters, Amy Frischmon, Andy Veu, Kami Mendlik, Daniel Bruber, Mark Edlund, and Paul Red Elk.
The beautiful exhibit pieces are designed for curious people of all ages from water experts to water lovers to water users to wee ones. We all need water!
We Are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; the Minnesota Historical Society, and University of Minnesota Extension. We Are Water MN is funded in part by the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund and the National Endowment for the Humanities and was brought to the library in partnership with ArtReach St. Croix.
Programs
In conjunction with the exhibit, we’re offering a special series of free programs that further explore water stories:
Lake Superior in Acrylics with Karen Chan: Thursday, October 5 (online) & Wednesday, October 11 at 5:30 PM
Hydroponic Gardening the Very Easy Way: Saturday, October 7 at 10:30 AM
Tour the St. Croix Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant: Tuesday, October 17 at 10:45 AM
Anton Treuer presents Native Americans and Logging the Northwoods, an Indigenous History: Thursday, October 19 at 6 PM (online)
Minnesota Waters – Cultural Significance Through Storytelling & Art: Tuesday, October 24 at 4 PM
Water – Sustaining Bird Life with Joanna Eckles, American Bird Conservancy: Monday, October 30 at 5:30 PM (online)
We are Water Artists Reception: Thursday, November 16 at 6:30 PM
Marvelous Mussels: Thursday, November 30; Stop in on the main floor anytime between 2-3:30 PM to learn about mussels from a MN DNR park naturalist.
Discovery Room
The Discovery Room is ready for imaginative play centered around the theme of water and the St. Croix River. Children can investigate a pretend pool containing stuffie fish and puppet animals that are found in the St. Croix River Valley; navigate boats through lift bridges on a tabletop river; identify animal tracks; purchase fishing nets and magnifiers at the play Water Discovery store; and investigate wind currents with chiffon scarves and felt rain clouds with the flight lab wind tunnel.
Open during library hours, the Discovery Room is a place for kids and caregivers to play and imagine together. The Discovery Room themes are created by staff and funded by donors to the Stillwater Public Library Foundation and other generous supporters.