The Verde Valley is defined by its water. Even the name of the area highlights the greenery that surrounds the eponymous river, bringing life to an otherwise barren section of desert.
The Smithsonian Institution, as part of its broader focus on American art, culture and history, has its own exhibit on the way that waterways like the Verde River affect environments around the country and the cultures that build up around them. The Water/ Ways exhibit has traveled the country since 2016, visiting various museums and libraries in areas with notable water resources, bringing the Smithsonian’s educational resources beyond its flagship museum in Washington, D.C.
From Saturday, Aug. 24, through Thursday, Oct. 10, the Water/Ways exhibit will find a home at the Camp Verde Library, providing residents of the Verde Valley with information about the water cycle that spans the earth, as well as a focus on the specific effects of the Verde River.
“Americans are connected to water in ways they may not always realize,” the Water/Ways exhibit states on its website. “Since water is a shared resource, water connects everyone. With compelling text, imagery, interactives and videos, Water/Ways reveals the central nature of water in our lives by exploring a number of important questions:
- How do Americans use water?
- How is water represented in our society? In what ways do we use water as a symbol?
- How does water unite communities?
- How does conflict over water emerge and how do communities resolve it?
- How does water affect the way we live, work, worship, create and play?
- How do we care for water and sustain it for the future?”
Water/Ways is coming to the area through collaboration with Arizona Humanities, as well as Friends of the Verde River. It includes partnerships with the Yavapai- Apache Nation, Yavapai College, the Camp Verde Community Library, Save Our Ancient Red Rocks and the Cottonwood Public Library.
On Friday, Aug. 23, the valley will be treated to its first free associated event, with a “Visions of the Verde” exhibit opening at the Yavapai College Verde Art Gallery. Throughout the coming months, the area will see other related events such as “Verde River Elegy,” an author talk by Jon Fuller at the Camp Verde Community Library on Thursday, Sept. 26, and a screening of the film “Viva La Verde” at the Cliff Castle Casino.
“All of the water currently on the planet is all that there will ever be,” the Smithsonian Institution wrote in a press release. “Through the water cycle it is in endless motion on Earth’s surface, below ground and in the atmosphere. “Water/Ways” explores this cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning have long been affected by access to water and control of water resources. Human creativity and resourcefulness provide new ways of protecting water resources and renewing respect for the natural environment.”
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551 or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
