47 Water Paintings by Sandy Spieler from the ‘We Bend to the Water’ Installation at the McKnight Foundation. 2003

An act of personal apology. We carried the vessel containing these mingled Waters to the Mississippi River, remembering all the people who had gathered this Water from around the World. And then with prayers of thanks and wishes for the Water from all participants, we poured this Water into the River.

Installation at the Hennepin County Government Center of paintings and puppets arranged in vignettes along the long corridor of the exhibit case.

A series of episodes specific to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Connecticut on the Long Island Sound as part of the National Puppetry Conference.

A two person touring show that ignites us to see ourselves as Water Protectors– bringing many current water issues vibrantly to life… a myriad of questions contained in each precious sip of Water. Who needs water? How much?

What if?! workshops use art to access creative thinking into thorny situations. Participants open their hearts and minds as ordained citizens to imagine and make a healthy, joyous, just world… a world that IS possible.

Community Performance Residencies Combining Art and Ecology. Artists work in residence with local participants to research local stories and concerns about Water.

About the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks to Southern Illinois University and the Plains Art Museum in Fargo who sponsored the workshops where this work was created. 2011, 2014.

Minnesota State Fair. In the hall of the Drinking Fountain and entrances to the Restrooms of the Eco-Experience building.

This fountain sat in disrepair for 20 years with the sign “Out of Order”. The situation prompted Sandy Spieler’s ongoing initiative “Invigorate the Common Well” of utilizing drinking fountains as sites for public Water education and gratitude.

A series of boxes pairing the wonder and essential gift of Water with some of the human actions afflicting Water—often unseen and unheeded. Originally built in England in 2004, Sandy re-created these boxes in the USA, and they sometimes travel to various exhibits.

We pray for a foundation of reverence and gratitude for Water as we face the complex issues of Water at the core of many challenging environmental and human rights situations.

Sandy Spieler painted these large Water Banners in 2007 to line the sidewalls of the Avalon Theatre for the three episodes of Invigorate the Common Well. Since then, the banners are rented for various exhibits and events.

Ulverston, England 2004. This town (like all towns) is here because of their River. Yet, where is the River? Why was this River covered up?

Commissioned by The McKnight Foundation for their new headquarters in Minneapolis · Painted sculpture holding H2O from all over the world, 2003.

1983. A surreal journey through the physical, industrial and primal worlds of Water.

Mississippi River Tour from Minneapolis to New Orleans 1983. We traveled with 25 adults, 5 children and 2 dogs to honor this great River in hopes of turning attention to the importance of this Water.