Water-focused art raises ecological awareness at GreenHill Center

A new multimedia exhibition at Greensboro's GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art highlights environmental stewardship with a focus on water. "H20" will combine public art installations, gallery and multi-faceted exhibits, and educational programming.

The goal of all this — besides presenting visually captivating works by seven artists with North Carolina ties — is to spur community conversations and calls to action to protect and preserve fragile water systems.

A cascading public waterfall made with 10,000 plastic bottles draws attention to society's waste stream; enormous hexagonal columns made of encapsulated coal ash are suspended from the ceiling. They help tell the stories of local residents forced to live near toxic chemicals.

Curator Edie Carpenter says these works, like all art, do much more than simply raise awareness.

“It also allows us to feel emotionally and physically,” says Carpenter. “And the seven artists in "H2O" all offer us an avenue into reflection about the value, preciousness, scarcity and power of water for both ourselves and our communities.”

The "H2O" exhibition with weekly artist talks, student receptions and workshops opens March 5 at GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art in Greensboro.