WATER/WAYS

Water droplet and ripples, Pakhnyushchy/Shutterstock.com

Water | Ways

October 15 through November 17, 2019

Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the Gallery of Fine Craft

Water/Ways, an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, explores the relationship between people and water. It explores the centrality of water in our lives including its effect on the environment and climate, its practical role in agriculture and economic planning, and its impact on culture and spirituality.

From above, Earth appears as a water planet with more than 71 percent of its surface covered with this vital resource for life. Water impacts climate, agriculture, transportation, industry and more. It inspires art and music. WheatonArts, in cooperation with the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, will examine water as an environmental necessity and an important cultural element as it hosts the traveling “Water/Ways” exhibition.

A storm drain empties beside a body of water in Pacific Grove.

Water/Ways has been made possible at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Water/Ways is part of Museum of Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Water/Ways was adapted from an exhibition organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, in collaboration with Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland; The Field Museum, Chicago; Instituto Sangari, Sao Paulo, Brazil; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; San Diego Natural History Museum; and Science Centre Singapore with PUB Singapore.

A scene at sunset with two bridges over water leading to a town with lush green trees around the houses.

What is Your  Water Story?
Saturday, October 19 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH) is hosting hour-long public discussions in every county of the state, through August 2020, to capture stories about the different ways water matters to New Jerseyans. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute their water story to a statewide public archive documenting personal connections to water and waterways in New Jersey.

No prior preparation is needed to attend, and all are welcome to share or listen. WheatonArts will host a water story discussion on Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Brownstone. Enjoy FREE admission to WheatonArts for the entire day, part of “Family Days! Presented by PNC Arts Alive!

For a complete list of dates and locations for other water story discussion opportunities throughout the state, Click Here. 

Americans and Mexicans join hands across the Rio Grande, 2014. Lorne Matalon
A cow stands in front of a dry, crumbled piece of land.

New Jersey Council for the Humanities and the Smithsonian Institution logos.