New River Conservancy (NRC) and Tom Hansell, an Ashe County artist as well as a professor at Appalachian State for Appalachian Studies, invite you to Water Cycle: Creating Art, Protecting Waterways – a free, family-friendly exhibit on display at Ashe County Arts Council, 303 School Ave, West Jefferson, North Carolina throughout June of 2025. There will be a special opening event June 13 from 5pm to 7pm.
The exhibit highlights the work of the New River Water Watchers program, an NRC initiative in North Carolina and Virginia under the direction of John Copeland, NRC Water Quality Manager. The Water Watchers program relies on volunteers who are trained to observe, collect, and report water quality data.
Over the past year, Hansell has collaborated with local volunteer water quality monitors, local artists, and the New River Conservancy to create art that highlights local efforts to protect the New River. Ashe County residents whose work is featured in this exhibit include weaver Nancy Mahala, water monitor Mike Papp, and photographers and water monitors scot pope and Brenda Smith.
The Water Cycle: Creating Art, Protecting Waterways exhibit was created with support from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the North Carolina Arts Council, and Appalachian State University’s Center for Appalachian Studies.
The New River Conservancy organization has worked every day since the early 1970’s to protect the woods, waters and wildlife of the iconic New River and its watershed. NRC is a 501©3 nonprofit. Donations are welcome and tax deductible. For more information, please visit their website at newriverconservancy.org, or any of their social media pages.
Featured image:
A photo collage made from e.coli cultures and an image of a brown trout. Collaboration between Tom Hansell and Mike Papp
Photo: Weaving made from trash collected during a river cleanup. Collaboration from a weaving workshop led by Nancy Mahala.
