Beneath the Surface Art Exhibit

Beneath the Surface: Artists and NSRWA Reveal the True Nature of Our Waters
October 11-November 13
Wednesday through Sunday: 12:00-5:00 pm, Thursdays: 12:00-8:00 p.m.
Duxbury Art Complex Museum – 189 Alden St, Duxbury

From the scenic banks of the North and South Rivers, the view often suggests a landscape of untouched tranquility. Yet, hidden beneath the shimmering surface lies a complex story of environmental struggle and resilience. This exhibit serves as a visual bridge between the beauty we see and the invisible stressors—dams, water quality, and quantity—that define the health of our South Shore waterways.

Through diverse artistic perspectives, we explore the legacy of historic mill dams that fragment our rivers. We confront the “people problems” of water quantity, where increasing human demand and impervious surfaces like pavement prevent rain from soaking into the ground and replenishing the aquifers that feed our faucets and our streams.

These artworks also shed light on the unseen threats to water quality. From nitrogen-heavy fertilizers to bacterial spikes after rain, silent runoff can close shellfish beds for months and fuel harmful algal blooms. Overlaying these local challenges is the accelerating pressure of climate change, which intensifies the cycle with more extreme flooding and prolonged seasonal heat. In partnership with the NSRWA, these artists invite you to look closer, past the reflection, and discover the true nature of the waters we depend on—and the collective action required to restore them.

(Artwork shown: Towards Sunset by Lisa Marder)

Other Beneath the Surface Events
• Voices of the Watershed: A Community Banner Project
• Opening Reception
• Watercolor Workshop with Lisa Goren
• Panel Discussion with NSRWA Scientists and Artists