If anyone knows the critical importance of clean water, it’s the good people of Flint, MI.
Just over a decade ago, a public water crisis occurred as a result of local leaders switching the municipal water source from Detroit to the Flint River, after which aging corroded pipes leached dangerous levels of lead into the water. Many actions were required to remediate the situation, including switching Flint’s primary water supplier to the Great Lakes Water Authority, which reintroduced treated water into the system.
Despite this public health crisis, the Flint River is and always has been very important to the community. The Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) aims to provide citizens with safe, enjoyable ways to protect this valuable resource. To that end, artists and many volunteers, under the direction of multimedia artist Kate Pepin of Ann Arbor, have been working for over a year on a mosaic mural project that will visually represent the jewel those living within the watershed boundaries have in their communities.
“This artwork is a depiction of a healthy Flint River and serves as a reminder of what the Flint River Watershed Coalition has always been about – protecting, promoting and improving one of our area’s greatest natural resources,” said FRWC Executive Director, Nancy Edwards. “The Flint River’s history is long and complicated, at times marred by human misuse and ugliness, but it is always resilient, alive with life and full of beauty. This mural serves as a reminder of how far we have come since the Clean Water Act (1972), how far we still need to go, and an acknowledgment of the work that must be done to keep the Flint River Watershed intact for generations to come.
Artist and project director Kate Pepin with the work in progress.
“Kate’s mosaic mural provides us with a beautiful piece of artwork that is a focal point in our newly renovated space, highlighting the importance of a healthy watershed for everyone who sees it,” she added. Holding degrees in Architecture, Policy and Urban Planning, Pepin retired from teaching in the Health & Human Services Department at the University of Michigan-Dearborn after 24 years. She has since focused her efforts on environmental health issues through mixed media artwork and sculpture (katepepinarts.com). She often uses found objects or natural materials in a manner that highlights their resilience and beauty.
The water droplets in the mosaic were created by artists from around the world, including Canada, Germany and China.
The mosaic is being carefully constructed at the FRWC’s newly renovated Flint offices at 630 W. Kearsley St. According to Pepin, the finished piece will be ten feet tall by 13-1/2 feet wide and displayed on a wall in the lobby/conference room area. People will not only be able to enjoy it when they first walk in, but also see it from outside through large windows in the front of the building.
Created with stained glass, tempered glass and stones, the mural depicts the flora and fauna returning to the Flint River Watershed. It also features returning fish species, including sturgeon. During twice-weekly workshops, volunteers worked diligently to complete the piece. The water droplets in the mosaic were created by artists from around the world, including Canada, Germany and China.“Two artists who have worked onsite with me since we started are Randee Pieper and Kate Hanley,” Pepin added. She volunteered to oversee the creation of the mosaic for the FRWC.
Pepin approached FRWC with a proposal to design and manage the creation of the mosaic. Great Lakes PFAS Action Network helped get the project started, as well as donors including Klobuchar Foundation, Flint Glass Service, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, and Genesee Ceramics.
Where is PFAS found?
- Firefighting foam (used often at airports and military bases)
- Flame-resistant clothing & firefighter gear
- Cleaning products
- Water-resistant fabrics, such as rain jackets, umbrellas & tents
- Grease-resistant paper
- Nonstick cookware
- Personal care products like shampoo, dental floss, nail polish & eye makeup
- Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery & other fabrics
- Most recently, some brands of bandages have been found to contain PFAS (time.com; April 4, 2024).
- For more detailed info, visit the Great Lakes PFAS Action network at glpan.org.
PFAS contamination can:
According to webmd.com, studies suggest that high levels of PFAS, known as the “forever chemical” can lead to:
- Changes to cholesterol levels
- Developmental effects or delays in fetuses, breastfed babies & children
- Changes to your immune system
- Thyroid problems & thyroid disease
- A higher chance of kidney, prostate or testicular cancer
About the Flint River Watershed Coalition
The FRWC is a membership organization that promotes citizen stewardship of its natural resources by providing members with the sources, knowledge and capacity necessary to protect local water quality and watershed habitat. For more info on activities including Kayak Flint, Water Quality Monitoring, Flint River GREEN (education program currently serving 1,750 students in 20 school districts from Genesee, Lapeer and Saginaw counties), Flint River Cleanups and more, visit flintriver.org/ and facebook.com/flintriverwatershed/
It is Pepin’s intent to work on water quality issues – of particular concern to her is PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance) contamination in our waterways. PFAS is a group of thousands of chemicals used in hundreds of types of products and their contamination of water sources is not only a Flint problem, but also a global one.
The water droplets in the mosaic were created by artists from around the world, including Canada, Germany and China.
Works of art like the FRWC mosaic are intended to bring about positive change in communities by encouraging conversation, raising awareness and inspiring action through community engagement.
On May 9 from 5-8pm, FRWC will welcome the public to the mosaic’s unveiling at the grand opening of their newly renovated space. The mosaic and related artwork created by Davison students will also be displayed during the Greater Flint Arts Council Flint Artwalk on May 10 from 6-9 pm.
