Passionate Waters founder Carolyn Reeves on why she is working for the Water
Why do you work for the water? Why did you found Passionate Waters and why do you continue to do the work of raising awareness for the Water through Art?
My devotion to the water springs from the emotions I feel. My love and appreciation for water is visceral, as is my pain when I confront how the Earth’s most precious natural resource is increasingly threatened. It’s my emotional investment that motivates me the most to work for the water, and that’s why my work focuses on appealing to the emotions of others. In 2013, I founded Passionate Waters, a World Water Day fundraising event that celebrates the art, science, and spirit of water. Because I believe that art can be a fast track to the heart, Passionate Waters is primarily an art show, featuring an art exhibit and performance pieces with water themes. Education and advocacy are equally essential components of PW. Information about local watersheds and the most pressing local water issues is presented, along with opportunities and guidance for activism. The theme of “water is sacred” is celebrated by honoring the role that water plays in various religions and spiritual traditions. I hope to keep Passionate Waters alive as long as I live.
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Name: Carolyn Reeves
Location: New Haven, CT
Why do you work for the Water: It is a calling, and I am fueled by love
What water related issue do you feel most needs addressing? Locally (in CT), we are battling proposed changes to the state’s water plan that would challenge the notion of water as a public trust (thus opening channels to privatization).
What do you envision for the future of the Water? I envision the battles getting more intense and the stakes becoming higher. I also envision an increasingly strong and robust legion of water protectors. I don’t believe in violent action under any circumstances.
Ways we might honor and celebrate her? -Drink water with gratitude and reverence. -Become acquainted with local waterways. -Practice improvisation and flow. -Sing about the water.
What did you do for World Water Day in 2019? In the morning, I attended an event at the CT state Capital for citizens, legislators, and leading environmental groups convened to discuss CT water related issues and legislation. In the evening, I hosted a small gathering to honor World Water Day. In the tradition of Passionate Waters, those gathered enjoyed water themed art and music. I gave an overview of the current CT water issues and legislation as well as a presentation about our local watershed. We even prayed together and honored the water in a sacred way. Passionate Waters in the grand sense did not happen that year; nonetheless I will carry the seed from year to year and bring it to fruition many more times.
