Make the River Present encourages creative engagement with the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Although St. Louis is physically bordered by these rivers—the two longest in the US which come together at the confluence a few miles north of downtown—their presence is often obscured by industrialization, urban planning, and erasure of Indigenous culture. Make the River Present invites visitors to strengthen our connections to these enduring waterways through works of art, resources, and activities. The exhibition highlights present-day and ancestral stewardship of the rivers and surrounding environments, especially focusing on Indigenous and African American perspectives.
This interactive exhibition provides a physical space to explore contributions of artists and cultural stewards whose work respects and engages rivers—Black Heritage Water Trail, Allena Brazier, Dail Chambers, Galen Gritts (Cherokee), Native Women’s Care Circle, Monique Verdin (Houma), and other authors and contributors whose writings are included.
Make the River Present is organized for the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis by Michelle Dezember, CAM’s Director of Learning & Engagement and Allena Brazier, independent curator. Exhibition design by Tiana Berry-Jones.
Make the River Present Gatherings
This series of gatherings—a complement to the exhibition Make the River Present—uplifts how artists and cultural stewards can align our relationship to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and reinforce the interdependence of human beings and nature.
For more information, visit our calendar or contact programs@camstl.org.
/ Mar 23: Native Women’s Care Circle (NWCC) Water Blessing
As part of World Water Day celebrations, honor the river by joining Saundi McClain-Kloeckener and fellow NWCC members near the confluence to offer blessings to the waters. This event is offsite.
/ May 31: Downstream Discourse: An Ongoing Conversation about Watershed and Human Health
Convene at the Mississippi River with Rafael Sousa-Sommo and Andi Gaither of the NWCC to explore the connections of plants, rivers, and human life, and honor Indigenous stewardship of our watersheds. This event is offsite.
/ June 13: Water Ceremony and Conversations
This extended, multipart gathering begins with a water ceremony led by Dail Chambers followed by a shared meal and conversation with artists and cultural stewards dedicated to the river.
/ June 14: River Excursion
Join a river boat excursion that visits and recalls memories along sites of consciousness on the Mississippi River. This event is offsite.
/ Aug 2: Eads Bridge Gathering
For the final gathering of the season, meet at the Eads Bridge to hear from speakers and walk the bridge across the Mississippi River. This event is offsite.
