Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission: ‘Beyond the Water’s Edge’ exhibition now located at Lussier Community Education Center on Madison’s west side

Contact: Sue Jones (608-224-3764), Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission
Pam Andros (608-266-5915), Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission

Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission

(Madison, WI) The “Beyond the Water’s Edge” photography and poetry exhibition is now open at the Lussier Community Education Center (LCEC) at 55 S. Gammon Road on Madison’s west side. “Beyond the Water’s Edge” is a creative 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 created through a partnership of Dane County, the Center for Photography at Madison, and Verse Wisconsin.

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said, “How fitting that this exhibition is now displayed at the Lussier Community Education Center, where people work together to create lasting change. One of the hopes of Beyond the Water’s Edge is to foster community conversations about how we can all work together to improve Dane County waters.”

“We love the idea of bringing the beauty of Dane County waters into the Center through photography and poetry,” said Executive Director Paul Terranova. “I am honored to have a poem included in the exhibit along with three other poets with direct connections to the LCEC.”

The exhibition also features a map and descriptions of 25 special water-related places in Dane County for area resident exploration and enjoyment. The Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds encourages residents to check this out online, as well, at http://tinyurl.com/DC25places, and to plan spring visits to these local gems.

The Lussier Community Education Center is located at 55 S. Gammon Road in Madison, on the Jefferson Middle School and Memorial High School campuses. The exhibition is free and open to the public through April 30, 2014 during the Center open hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Lussier Community Education Center staff and Beyond the Water’s Edge Steering Committee members are planning a community meal and program at the Center for the evening of Friday April 4. There the public will have an opportunity to interact with the photographers and poets about the importance of local lakes, streams and wetlands in our lives.

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. The Steering Committee is planning at least two more exhibitions around the county during 2014. Poems (with some audio readings) and photographs will also be available at versewisconsin.org.

About the Lussier Community Education Center (LCEC) – The Center is an innovative, inter-generational, green built, community center on the grounds of Jefferson Middle and Memorial High Schools on Madison’s west side. The LCEC lives out its mission — building community, creating opportunities, and enriching education – through out-of-school time programs (K-12), adult employment programming, food security programs, and much more.

Contest Honorary Co-Chairs — County Executive Joe Parisi, 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 Rebecca Power), 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.