The Museum Center at Five Points in Cleveland, Tenn., has been part of the "Waterways: Connecting Communities" project for almost a year.
Learn what has been accomplished during a free community festival on Friday, June 30, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Museum Center, 200 E. Inman St.
"Waterways: Connecting Communities" is a project of the Museum Center at Five Points with the Museo Benito Quinquelo Martin in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
This project engaged teens from Southeast Tennessee and Buenos Aires in a study of their waterways to discover a greater understanding of and appreciation for water and to encourage environmentally sustainable habits.
Teens from both communities conducted historic and environmental research on local rivers. They also studied artistic and cultural connections in order to identify similarities between them. They shared their stories via virtual meetings, Facebook, online and on-site exhibits, a community awareness campaign and public art projects. Teens in each city are hosting a community festival.
At Friday's festival, there will be activities for all ages, displays and informational presentations to teach visitors what they can do to care for local waterways and why that is important. Visitors can help build a sculpture out of recycled materials, paint rainwater collection bins and enter to win one of them.
During the festival a new mural will be revealed.
"The mural is an underwater scene of larger-than-life Tennessee aquatic life including a sturgeon, alligator gar and hellbender. It was painted by Chattanooga artist Hollie Berry with assistance from our Waterways students," says Joy Key, festival organizer.
GDaddy's BBQ, BBQ Dunn Right and Kona Ice Cleveland will be on-site to sell concessions.
For more information: 423-339-5745.