By Christy Comeaux
From above, Earth appears as a water planet with more than 71 percent of its surface covered with this vital resource for life. Water impacts climate, agriculture, transportation, industry and more. It inspires art and music.
The Cameron Parish Public Library, in cooperation with The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Calcasieu Parish Public Library, will examine water as an environmental necessity and an important cultural element as it hosts “Water/Ways,” a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program.
The “Water/Ways” exhibit will be on view Jan. 22 through Mar. 5 at the Central Branch of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library, located at 301 W. Claude Street in Lake Charles.
A special grand opening taking place on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The public is invited to attend the opening. Louisiana State Representative, Ryan Bourriaque, will graciously provide refreshments for the opening.
The Cameron Parish Public Library system and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities to host “Water/Ways” as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations.
Due to damages caused by Hurricane Laura, the Calcasieu Parish Public Library will serve as a host to house the exhibition for the Cameron Library.
“Water is an important part of everyone’s life, especially here in Southwest Louisiana, and we are excited to explore what it means culturally, socially and spiritually in our own community,” said Christy Comeaux, Public Information Officer for the Calcasieu Parish Public Library. “We are thrilled to help our friends at the Cameron Parish Public Library, who have developed several public programs to compliment the Smithsonian exhibition.”
Such free events include:
Exhibit Grand Opening – Saturday, Jan. 22 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Central Library, located at 301 W. Claude St. in Lake Charles.
Friday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. “Waterways and Wetlands.” Dr. Craig Colten will lead a community discussion on waterways and wetlands in South Louisiana. Topics included in the discussion range from wetlands restoration to the effect of land loss on cultures. Dr Colten is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Louisiana State University.
Friday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. “Pollution and Water Filtration.” Nanette Fontenot will read and discuss the books The Water Princess by Susan Verde and A House by the River by William Miller. A craft will follow the discussion.
Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. “Wetlands and Preservation.” Phillip Trosclair will discuss what people can do to fight coastal erosion and their social responsibilities. Mr. Trosclair has written and backed many projects to protect our wetlands and wildlife in his many years with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Friday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. “Our Relationship with Water and Industry.” Clair Hebert Marceaux, will discuss Southwest Louisiana’s relationship with water and industry. Clair is the Port Director at the Cameron Port, Harbor, and Terminal District.