SMU invites community to events as part of ‘Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water’ project

Five local institutions are collaborating with the Minneapolis-based In the Heart of the Beast Puppet-Mask Theater to spearhead a community-wide program, “Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water.”

As part of the theater’s residency activities, Saint Mary’s will attempt to raise community awareness about our drinking water through visual art and performance. The public is invited to a daily mask-making activity from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Feb. 2-5, at Lake Park Lodge. The activity will celebrate our water commons through the collective creation of papier-mâché masks to be used in a celebration of an ancient English ritual known as well-dressing or, in this case, water-fountain-dressing.

The culminating celebration will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Saint Mary’s University. The celebration will be centered around drinking fountains in the Toner Student Center and Saint Mary’s Hall. Both opportunities are free, and no experience is necessary.

Winona State University, Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical, Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board and the City of Winona are incorporating the water theme into classes, presentations and activities this year. Plans also include the highlighting and decorating of public drinking fountains on the college campuses and in the City of Winona, as well as raising awareness through visual art and performance. The goal of the project is for the community to achieve a broader and deeper understanding of water quality and stewardship. This project is funded by the State of Minnesota through the Minnesota Campus Compact.