Students Represent Water Issues Through Art

 

As part of the South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) Work for Water Fine Arts Contest, 14 students from southern Minnesota created interesting and unique pieces displaying water conservation, along with artist’s statements explaining their artwork. Their art was designed to influence and motivate others to take action to conserve our water resources.

 

Jolie Richter and Megan Stutsman, both students at Le Sueur-Henderson High School, were the contest winners (as named by the contest judges). They each received a certificate and a $250 scholarship from the Freshwater Society.

 

Artwork was on display at the Taylor Library in North Mankato and open to public voting. Brittany Groskreutz from Maple River High School was named the “People’s Choice” award winner, earning nearly 40 percent of the public vote. Kelsey Kennedy from Mankato West High School and Emily Eibs from Le Sueur-Henderson High School were second and third place respectively.

 

Other participating students included Brent Clapp, Sara Mootz and Danica Tiegs of Le Seuer-Henderson High School; Kelsey Kennedy, Paige Killian and Kayley Massa of Mankato West High School; and Dakota Callahan, Briann Kleven, Natapat Patipokasut and Seth Reed of Maple River High School.

 

Now, more than ever before, our freshwater resources are facing a crisis. The increase in human population and the development and contamination of our water resources are creating a strain on our surface and ground waters. Conservation of these resources is the most efficient, economical and immediate tactic we have to ensure the sustainability of our freshwater resources for future generations.

 

This contest was held in partnership with the Freshwater Society and made possible by an Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds grant from the Traverse des Sioux Library System. Student artwork was judged on its relevance to the theme “water conservation,” originality and artistic merit.