“River of Words,” Public Participation Installation, Flows Through Sharon Arts Downtown Gallery, March 4 – April 30
“River of Words Stream of Conscience” Invites the Public to Participate in the Creation of Work of Art at Sharon Arts Galleries Downtown, March 4 - April 30
“River of Words Stream of Conscience” – a monumental art installation, designed by Harrisville New Hampshire artist, Christine 
Destrempes and created by hundreds of community members will debut at The Sharon Arts Center Downtown Gallery on March 4th, 2011. The project calls attention to worldwide water crises that deprive more than a billion people access to clean water and the 5 million who die every year from preventable water-related diseases.
“Water speaks for the planet just as words speak for us,” says Destrempes. Over the last year and continuing throughout the installation, she asks participants to reflect on, “How are words like water?”
To examine the question, “River of Words Stream of Conscience” gives audiences torn sheets of paper to write their thoughts, memories, or knowledge about water. Each piece of paper will be attached to form a giant river of words. “It will be a living installation; gallery visitors are invited to contribute to the river to keep it flowing and growing,” Ms. Destrempes said.
In addition to the interactive “River,” visitors can also view and purchase one the artist’s 57 5”x7” original monotypes on handmade paper. Each features 10 impressions of inked, recycled water bottle caps for a total of 570 impressions, representing the number of 
people who die every hour from water-related diseases. In connection with the “River of Words,” Public Participation Installation at Sharon Arts Galleries, a wide range of accompanying events and programs are scheduled, including:
Friday, March 4th, 5-7pm, Opening Reception
(Location: SAC Exhibition Gallery) Call 924-2787 for details.
Monday March 14th, 7:30pm Water Film Night: THIRST an award-winning documentary that takes a piercing look at public stewardship and corporate ownership of water. Unbiased Variety calls this film an “awakening.” You won’t want to miss this special screening.
(Location: Peterborough Community Theater) Call 924-2787 for details.
Tuesday, March 22nd (World Water Day), 6-7:30pm, World Water Day in Words and Music- Celebrating World Water Day with an evening of water-inspired stories, poems, music, and performance, featuring poets Peter Tuttle and Jane Eklund, rapper Khalid Ibrahim and writer Paul Hertneky. Plus a special appearance by Duo Live Oak singer/songwriter Nancy Knowles and musician/composer Frank Wallace. Admission is free. (Location: SAC Exhibition Gallery) Call 924-2787 for details.
Sunday, March 27th, 2-3:30pm, Saving Water Near and Far — How can those of us in the water-rich Monadnock Region help improve access for the millions who die every year from preventable diseases caused by water crises? Ryan Owens, Director of The Monadnock Conservancy and Rob Moir, Director of the Ocean River Institute will present and discuss the local and global implications of water protection and conservation.Co-sponsored by The Harris Center for Conservation Education. Admission is free.
(Location: SAC Exhibition Gallery) Call 924-2787 for details.
Monday, April 11, 7:30pm Water Film Night: THIRST an award-winning documentary that takes a piercing look at public stewardship and corporate ownership of water. Unbiased Variety calls this film an “awakening.” You won’t want to miss this special screening.
(Location: Peterborough Community Theater. Call 924-2787 for details.
Tuesday, April 12th, 6-7:30pm, Artist Talk: Art for Social Change with Christine Destrempes
How can artists effect social change through their work? In what promises to be an evening discussion unlike any other in Peterborough, Christine will explain her motivation and process in making of public-participation art — the way it brings communities together, its social impact, far-reaching effects, and personal rewards. She will invite artists in the audience to share their involvement in bringing about community projects and social change. A unique event for artists and their supporters.
Further information on any of these events is available by calling (603)924-2787. 
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About Sharon Arts
The mission of Sharon Arts Center, a non-profit organization, is to engage the community in the artistic process, to support and serve artists and craftspeople, and to foster the relationship between artists and the community through education, exhibitions, the promotion and sale of art and craft, as well as through special programs and events.
Sharon Arts Center offers a wide variety of art classes and programs in the school facility in Sharon, NH, a Fine Craft Gallery, a Juried Artist Member Gallery, and an Exhibition Gallery at Depot Square.
The Sharon Arts Galleries are located in downtown Peterborough with entrances in Depot Square and at 30 Grove Street. Downtown hours are: Monday – Saturday 11am to 6pm, Sunday 11 – 4 PM.
Sharon Arts is sponsored in part by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, The Bean Family Foundation, The Susan A. and Donald P. Babson Charitable Foundation, and the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation.
River of Words: Stream of Conscience is supported in part by Anne Slade Frey Charitable Trust, Harrisville Community Fund, Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., Neenah Paper, Inc., & The Peterborough Rotary Club.