Beneath the Surface Panel Discussion with NSRWA Scientists and Artists

Beneath the Surface Panel Discussion with NSRWA Scientists and Artists
Thursday, November 12, 5:30-7:00 pm
Duxbury Art Complex Museum – 189 Alden St, Duxbury MA

Join us for a panel discussion with NSRWA staff who work on watershed restoration projects and the artists who participated in the Beneath the Surface project.

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: Ocean 6411 by Kimberlee Alemian)

Other Beneath the Surface Events
• Voices of the Watershed: A Community Banner Project
• Beneath the Surface Art Exhibit
• Opening Reception
• Watercolor Workshop with Lisa Goren