Shanai H. Matteson

The Mississippi River and its community face many threats to health, ecology, economy and spirit. These include the threat of pollution, flooding, changes to the navigation system, short-sighted economic development, displacement and disconnection. Today, artists are working with a wide range of organizations to address these dynamics through creative collaborations. With the support of my Bush Fellowship, I will explore artist-led frameworks for public engagement that acknowledge the importance of our common river as a living form that literally connects us.