Crossroads Coffeehouse Hosts Beyond the Water’s Edge Photography and Poetry Reception on Sunday July 20
July 15, 2014
Sue Jones, Office of Lakes & Watershed, 608-224-3764
(Madison, WI) The “Beyond the Water’s Edge” photography and poetry exhibition continues through July 30 at the Crossroads Coffeehouse at 2020 Main Street in the Village of Cross Plains. Coffeehouse owner, Mary Devitt, and exhibition organizers invite the public to participate in a reception there on Sunday July 20, from 2-4 p.m.
“Beyond the Water’s Edge” is a unique investigation of Dane County lakes, rivers and wetlands and features the work of 15 photographers and 20 local poets whose creative talents were tapped in the contest celebrating 25 years of service from the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission. The exhibition was produced through a partnership between Dane County, the Center for Photography at Madison (Photo Midwest), and Verse Wisconsin.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, one of the honorary co-chairs for Beyond the Water’s Edge, stated: “Through this exhibit, gifted Dane County photographers and poets help us appreciate the importance of Dane County lakes, streams and wetlands in our lives.”
Dane County Board Chair and former Lakes and Watershed Commission member Sharon Corrigan will speak as part of the program on July 20. Corrigan said: “Don’t miss one of my favorite features accompanying the exhibit, a map and descriptions of 25 special water-related places in Dane County. You can check this out online, as well, at http://tinyurl.com/DC25places, and plan summer visits to these local gems.”
According to Mary Devitt from Crossroads Coffeehouse, “Crossroads has been pleased to host this exhibition at our community coffeehouse. This is a great place for meeting and making friends, and we hope that reception attendees will return and join us for live music Friday nights, art openings, educational events, and community dinners.”
Winning photographs and accompanying poetry from “Beyond the Water’s Edge” were exhibited during the months of November and December 2013 at the Goodman South Madison Branch of the Madison Public Library, and in March and April 2014 at the Lussier Community Education Center on Madison’s west side. Poems (with some audio readings) and photographs are also available at versewisconsin.org.
The exhibition is free and open to the public through July 30, 2014 during the Coffeehouse open hours: Monday through Thursday 6 am - 5 pm, Friday 6 am - 9:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 7 am - 5 pm.
Contest Honorary Co-Chairs -- County Executive Joe Parisi, former 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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