Arts & People

Water nourishes us physically, creatively, and emotionally. We celebrate the people who reflect this trait, and the work they bring into the world.

Why I Said Yes to Oregon: Water

By Annie Bronez | July 3, 2023

I still can’t quite believe that I live in this special place. I’m constantly in awe of the stunning land, plants, and water that surround me. The rivers and lakes glisten like nothing I’ve ever seen before and they’re so easy to access. The water that flows from my faucet is the best I’ve ever… Continue Reading Why I Said Yes to Oregon: Water

Water Artist: Gabriel Liston

By Follow the Water | December 27, 2023

Gabriel Liston is an artist and illustrator documenting water history and domestic life. Overlands, his recent exhibit of oil paintings at Russo Lee Gallery, showed water bodies across the continent as seen from moving trains. His cartoon about the Bull Run River was featured in the Guardian’s The Illustrated Cities series. He also sometimes leads… Continue Reading Water Artist: Gabriel Liston

Stormwater Art by Kanaan Kanaan

By Follow the Water | January 16, 2024

Drink in the beautiful fusion of art and water culture! Artist Kanaan Kanaan worked on a mural for a storm drain located in Tigard, Oregon, which drains to the Fanno Creek tributary of the Tualatin River. Kanaan’s work incorporates river critters and tessellating patterns from Islamic art to celebrate the Muslim community. “We cross paths,… Continue Reading Stormwater Art by Kanaan Kanaan

A Poem by Maritza Oropeza Kritz

By Follow the Water | January 16, 2024

Maritza Oropeza Kritz is volunteer, educator, and ambassador for Latino Outdoors. We love her poem “Sana Sana,” which translates to “heal, heal.” We couldn’t help but think of the Spanish saying, “sana, sana colita de rana.” Culturally significant to Latino/a/x/e communities, it is a consolation that healing is on the way. Sana Sana by Maritza… Continue Reading A Poem by Maritza Oropeza Kritz

Tribal Member Linda Meanus Writes About Our Connection to Water

By Follow the Water | January 16, 2024

In her first book, My Name is LaMoosh, Linda Meanus, a Warm Springs Tribal Elder, chronicles memories of growing up near Celilo Falls before they were flooded by the construction of The Dalles Dam. “My grandfather would pray to the river, and to the creator for the salmon to feed the people… He used to… Continue Reading Tribal Member Linda Meanus Writes About Our Connection to Water

Peril in the Pipes: The Dangers of PFAS in Our Waters

By Erik DeVore | February 5, 2024

This post is part of our collaboration with Portland State University and Dr. Alida Cantor’s Water Resource Management class. Her class explored water policy, water quality and quantity issues, and environmental justice. Graduate and undergraduate students translated research for their final projects into creative forms that Follow the Water is excited to share. Imagine you… Continue Reading Peril in the Pipes: The Dangers of PFAS in Our Waters

Soundwalks Around Portland

By Follow the Water | April 30, 2024

Plug in your headphones, listen to an audio guide, and take a stroll through a beautiful park in Portland, Oregon. Soundwalks are immersive experiences where the listener participates in an audio and visual journey. These soundwalks usually take around 40-60 minutes to complete. One such soundwalk is called “Heal the Land, Heal the People, Cully… Continue Reading Soundwalks Around Portland