From science to art: All ‘Eyes’ on water quality

The 2019 Common Read, “What the Eyes Don’t See,” by Mona Hanna-Attisha, is a firsthand account of the Flint water crisis. This fall at BGSU, the water quality issue is crossing the boundaries of literature, science and art.

The BGSU Galleries will host a series of events that focus on water issues, including two photography exhibitions; artist talks and performances; poster and art presentations by students from the arts, sciences and humanities, and a panel discussion on “The Future of Lake Erie.”

In addition to Hanna-Attisha’s public talk at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, the aligned events include:

• Art exhibitions, “Lake Erie: On the Edge,” with photographs by Linda Butler, in the Willard Wankelman Gallery and “The Great Lake Erie,” featuring photography by Frank Gohlke and Lynn Whitney in the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery Lobby, Fine Arts Center, Sept. 20-Nov. 24.
• An art talk by photographer Linda Butler at 5 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Thomas B. and Kathleen M. Donnell Theatre at the Wolfe Center for the Arts
• A performance by digital artist Miwa Matreyek, premiering a new performance with musician Morgan Sorne, dramatizing the environmental crisis that surrounds us at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Donnell Theatre
• An art talk by Frank Gohlke with an introduction by Lynn Whitney at 5 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Donnell Theatre, followed by a reception for the artists in the Bryan Gallery Lobby of the Fine Arts Center
• “Water in Crisis” student arts, sciences and humanities poster presentations from 2:30-5 p.m. Nov. 12 in the second floor clock tower mezzanine of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union
• “The Future of Lake Erie” panel discussion moderated by Dr. George Bullerjahn, Distinguished Research Professor of Biology, with Dr. Timothy Davis, biological sciences, and several regional experts embracing many points of view, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in 207 Bowen-Thompson Student Union. A reception will follow from 7:45-9 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center’s Wankelman Gallery.

“This focus will afford the BGSU community with a unique opportunity to engage in current social, cultural and scientific issues of importance,” said Jacqui Nathan, University galleries director. She encourages faculty across disciplines to consider creating a class or extra credit assignment for students who might be interested in participating in the Nov. 12 poster or art presentations.

Contact Nathan at jnathan@bgsu.edu for information about the process. She needs a list of students who plan to participate by Oct. 18.