May 1 to 31 in the Landrau-Partan Gallery at Falmouth Art Center
In partnershiop with Falmouth Pond Coalition, this is an art exhibit to bring attention to Falmouth’s more than 100 freshwater ponds.
The Art Center invited artists who specialize in images of nature to create a work for the show inspired by Falmouth’s local waterways.
Among the 16 artists in the show are three married couples.
Carol Knox of Falmouth, who is a retired science teacher, has both an oil painting and a watercolor in the show inspired by Brievogel Ponds. Her husband Walter Knox, has a photograph of Ice House Pond with fall colors.
Cathy Williamson of West Falmouth has a colorful fiber tapestry in the show. Her husband David Williamson has a photo of Oyster Pond in West Falmouth.
Greg Anderson of Buzzards Bay contributed a photograph of waterlilies, and his wife Caroline, a weaver, wove a small purse inspired by Little Pond.
Among the other artists represented are Andrea Moore of Falmouth, Susan Baur of North Falmouth, Alice Galick of East Falmouth, Sigrid Hecker of Falmouth, Charlotte Harris of North Falmouth, Betsy Payne Cook of Mashpee, Denise Boyle of Falmouth, Ruth Leech of Falmouth, Christine Anderson of Cotuit and Sue Colozzi of Reading and Falmouth.
Because this is an exhibit about local ponds, the coalition thought it would be appropriate to have the Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (OLAUG) included. The group is represented by a piece by Maggie Megaw, Trish Corey and Mary Alice Moynahan called Trixie the Turtle. It is made up of pieces of trash that the OLAUG group collected from Cape Cod ponds last summer. The piece was made during a workshop on making art with found objects taught by Sue Beardsley last year.
Falmouth Pond Coalition’s mission is to protect and preserve Falmouth’s freshwater ponds through science-informed education, organizing and advocacy.
According to the Coalition, “While most [ponds] are still healthy, many are becoming degraded. Pollutants from septic system effluent, fertilizer, and road runoff are the primary causes, along with climate change.”
Neighborhood groups in the Falmouth Pond Coalition represent the following ponds: Ashumet Pond, Cedar Lake, Coonamessett Pond, Crocker Pond, Crooked Pond, Deep Pond, Flax Pond, Fresh Pond, Jenkins Pond, Jones Pond, Mares Pond, Mill Pond, Nyes Pond, Round Pond, Shivericks Pond, Spectacle Pond and Wing Pond.
To protect and preserve Falmouth’s ponds, the Falmouth Pond Coalition works to organize and expand pond “friends” groups; arrange for water testing programs; and develop neighborhood educational campaigns about the primary causes of pond degradation and the most effective solutions.
The Coalition also provides fliers, outreach letters, fact sheets, and other informational materials; engages experts in assisting pond groups; helps pond groups develop comprehensive management plans and partners with Town government officials as needed.
The group also fosters communication and collaboration among freshwater pond activists across Falmouth; and defines and advances a public policy agenda for Falmouth’s freshwater ponds in coordination with town government departments and committees.
