The Pelham Art Center is currently holding its first guest-curated exhibition of 2025, Think About Water, which will run until April 13. The exhibition was kicked off with an opening reception on March 6th. The show features works from eight artists of the artist collective Think About Water (TAW): Leila Daw, Roz Driscoll, Susan Hoffman Fisher, Fredericka Foster, Ellen Kozak, Ilana Manolson, Lauren McManus, and Lisa Reindorf, who also curated the exhibit.
TAW is a local regional show connected to a larger organization of the same name which consists of 50 visual artists based in the US and Europe. Through their art, they hope to spread awareness about global water issues like pollution, flooding, acidification, heat waves, and more, said Reindorf’s curatorial statement.
Unlike numerous artist exhibits showcasing the negative impacts of climate change—storms, pollution, and fires- this show focuses on the “positive factors and the ability of nature to rejuvenate the environment and help protect the environment,” Reindorf said in an email.
The selected works in the exhibit were meticulously planned out with great attention to detail. “The works pick up on patterns from one work to another,” Reindorf said.
Manolson’s work “Navigating the Dark” highlights the power of water to regenerate and nourish as the seasons go on, said Reindorf. Visually, the painting resembles a bending river. Manolson has exhibited her work internationally at many galleries and museums and currently has her work presented at four different shows.
Next to Manolson’s piece is Daw’s “Wathondere,” an embroidery painting that encapsulates the idea that water feeds and nourishes us, said Reindorf. The network of meandering rivers in the background are similar to the river bends of the previous painting.
Driscoll’s rawhide sculpture, “Headwaters,” which resembles a leaf as well as a river is placed against McManus’ delta and river system map, “Sugar Creek / Spirit Square.”
Many of the works in the show have profound messages, one of them being Reindorf’s “Rooting Down,” which conveys the special role of mangroves in protecting urban areas from flooding and sea level-rising. The contrast between the painted buildings and mangrove ecosystem represents two coexisting systems—industry and nature, said Reindorf. By depicting the protective function of mangroves against environmental threats, the piece advocates for the collaboration between nature and urbanization to foster a more sustainable future.
“Water is so important to life on earth and infuses everything and all forms of life, both human and animals, and all types of flora and fauna,” Reindorf said. “Not all environmental news is disputing or negative; there are ways that nature can help the Earth heal.”
All the works in the exhibit are for sale. Some of the proceeds will be donated to environmental causes.
