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Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

"Beyond the Water’s Edge" Photography and Poetry Exhibition Announced

October 01, 2013
Sue Jones (608-224-3764), Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission Pam Andros (608-266-5915), Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission
Land & Water Resources

Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission

(Madison, WI) Winning photographs and accompanying poetry from "Beyond the Water’s Edge," a creative investigation of Dane County lakes, rivers and wetlands to celebrate 25 years of service from the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission, will be exhibited during the months of November and December at the Goodman South Madison Branch of the Madison Public Library.

"We’re thankful to everyone who sent in their photos for Beyond the Water’s Edge," said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. "These beautiful images are an inspiring reminder that Dane County is home to a wealth of natural resources. We must continue to work together to protect them and keep them accessible for all."

The opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Saturday, November 2, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The program will begin at 2 p.m., and the poetry reading will begin at 2:30 p.m. Goodman South Madison Branch of the Madison Public Library is located at 2222 S. Park Street in Madison.

During the program, first, second and third place winners in each of five categories will be announced, as well as the grand prize of the exhibition. The categories are beauty and (re-)vision, recreation and tourism, caring for our waters, troubled waters, and water and daily life.

Wendy Vardaman and Sarah Busse, Madison Poets Laureate, requested a talented group of local poets to respond to the 28 images in the exhibit. Each poem will be mounted and displayed alongside the photograph it references.

"Our waters are central to our cultural identity and crucial to our health and the health of our lands. Never has it been more important to see and re-see these unique treasures through the lenses and perspectives that the arts can provide," said Sarah Busse, one of Madison’s two Poets Laureate.

The Lakes and Watershed Commission and Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission will rotate the exhibition around the county in 2014.

Contest Honorary Co-Chairs -- County Executive Joe Parisi, County Board Chair John Hendrick, former Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission Chair Melissa Malott, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission Chair George Gonzalez.

Contest Sponsors and Steering Committee Representatives – Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission (Rebecca Power and Sue Jones), Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission (Kelly Parks Snider and Pam Andros), Center for Photography at Madison (Bill Pielsticker), and Verse Wisconsin (Sarah Busse and Wendy Vardaman).

Photography Jurors – Bill Pielsticker (President, Center for Photography at Madison) and Pat Dillon (accomplished artist and author)

Poetry Curators – Wendy Vardaman and Sarah Busse, Madison Poets Laureate

About the Lakes and Watershed Commission – A coordinating and advisory agency within Dane County government, the Commission's charge is to protect and improve water quality, as well as the scenic, economic, recreational, and environmental value of Dane County's water resources. Learn more about the Commission’s work at www.danewaters.com.

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