Gifts of the Water 2020
Commissioned by Washington State Arts Commission for Ancient Lakes Elementary School, Quincy, WA
The project consists of four large paintings (6’x 5’) in the school library and a large diorama (5’ W x 7’H’x 3’D) in the school entry. The paintings portray central role that water has played in the history of the area. The diorama depicts Ancient Lake, the nearby lake formed by prehistoric floods for which the school is named, and the rich wildlife of the area depending on water.
Water over Land
Water over Land depicts aspects of the geologic history of the area: the primordial volcanic formation of the area, extinct megafauna of the Pleistocene that lived in the area, and the Missoula floods that formed the current landscape.
By the River
By the River gives an aerial view of the ancient pothole lakes and honors the native Wanapum peoples living along the Columbia river near Quincy. It shows harvested camas roots, petroglyphs, and native tools for fishing for salmon in the river.
Growing
Growing depicts scenes from the agricultural history of Quincy: an abandoned pioneer homestead, dryland wheat harvesting, rill irrigation circa 1940 (made possible by the building of Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia), and modern farming methods that allow the abundance of crops now grown in the area.
Blue Planet
Blue Planet depicts modern water recreational opportunities near Quincy, and the thriving orchards and vineyards made possible through irrigation. It also references the huge internet data storage farms near Quincy that make use of inexpensive hydroelectric power. Water connects everyone in the world.
Water Means Life
Water Means Life is a large diorama (5’ W x 7’H’x 3’D) located in the school entry. It depicts a scene at Ancient Lake, showing some of the diverse wildlife that thrives in this desert area thanks to the presence of water.
