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Submerge Yourself in Art at Fairmount Water Works
Above: “Tenacity” by Jill Rupinski is one of the artworks on display at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. Background: “Veil” by Rebecca Rutstein is another work on display at the Submerged exhibition.
SUBMERGE YOURSELF IN ART AT FAIRMOUNT WATER WORKS
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Exhibition Explores History of Flooding in Philadelphia and Global Climate Change
The Fairmount Water Works was originally designed to flood. Built in the late 1700s along the Schuylkill River, the premises was a pumping station for the municipal water supply. Today, due to increasingly heavy rains, a symptom of climate change, the Schuylkill and Fairmount Water Works still occasionally see their share of flooding. The most recent incident was during Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Now through July 29, Water Works patrons can be visually immersed when they visit Submerged: A Changing Global Climate. This art show displays more than 30 selected works by 19 contemporary artists and two antique paintings. Photographs, prints, drawings, and paintings invite viewers to meditate and focus on the reality of global climate change.
Directed by Karen Young of Fairmount Water Works and curated by Thom Duffy, Submerged focuses on the historical and current extreme weather events impacting our region and the planet’s struggle for survival. The exhibition space is in a section of the Water Works that has been entirely under water due to flooding at one time or another. Works selected for this exhibition speak to the history of the Water Works and the flooding of the Schuylkill River to spark discussions about the causes and effects of climate change.
The exhibition is brought to you in part by the Fund for the Water Works and the Ed F. Grusheski Water Literacy Foundation. Submerged closes July 29, so don’t miss your chance to see it.
Independent Artists: Loren Berckey, Diane Burko, Rhea Cutillo, Andrea Krupp, Anabelle Rodríguez, Laura Storck and Maura Williams. Cerulean Arts Gallery: Pia De Girolamo, Richard Estell, Susan B. Howard, Frederic C. Kaplan, Michael Rossman and Jill A. Rupinski. Thom Duffy Fine Art: Thom Duffy and Andrés Tavárez. Bridgette Mayer Gallery: Arden Bendler Browning, Tim McFarlane and Rebecca Rutstein. Schwarz Gallery: Antique painting by Arthur Melzer. Hollis Taggart: Bill Scott.
IF YOU GO:
WHEN: Now through July 29th
WHERE: Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, Philadelphia Building Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm
COST: Free
