Art exhibit, Energy Champions Awards at Muscatine County Energy District Earth Day celebration
The Muscatine County Energy District and League of Women Voters of Muscatine County will be hosting an Earth Day Celebration at the Musser Public Library in Muscatine on Monday, April 22 at 6 p.m.
The main features of the event will be a Pure Iowa pop art exhibit created by artist Christine A. Curry and the first ever recognition of Muscatine County Energy Champions. The purpose of the event is to spread awareness about clean energy solutions in Iowa, with an emphasis on improving water quality.
Curry’s exhibit will feature a roughly four feet by eight feet inflatable pop can that reads “Save Mississippi River,” three feet by seven feet display panels and a video component. In her artist statement Curry says, “My inspiration comes from a life-long journey of advocating for animals, nature, people, art, and the environment. Iowa’s water quality issues are dire. Clean water needs to be a top priority for both public health and recreation.”
Cans featured in exhibit (photo courtesy of MCED)
The exhibit is inspired by the late visual artist Andy Warhol, who is recognized as a leading figure in the pop art movement. Warhol was quoted saying, “I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want.”
Curry takes that mentality to heart with this project. “It is my aspiration to create and ignite a larger movement awareness with action on behalf of cleaner water while showcasing conservation farmers as a critical source of fact-based solutions,” Curry says.
Curry will speak at the event and be available for an artist meet and greet. Jon Koch, Director of Water and Resource Recovery Facility for the City of Muscatine, will also speak on the work being done throughout Muscatine County toward cleaner water.
Featured artist Christine Curry (Photo Courtesy of MCED)
The MCED will also recognize the first ever Muscatine County Energy Champions. Utility based, industrial and commercial solar energy projects will be highlighted. Some of the award recipients include Central Iowa Power Cooperative and Eastern Iowa REC for the Wilton solar array, Kent Corporation for the Grain Processing Corporation solar field, Doctors Nathan and Tasha Wall of the Muscatine Veterinary Hospital.
You can RSVP for the celebration here.
MCED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of energy solutions specific to the needs of Muscatine County. More information can be found here, or by emailing MuscatineCountyEnergyDistrict@gmail.com.
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