Three ‘enduring’ rivers inspire Fowler art exhibit

A river runs through it. Or rather, three rivers do.

They are the Acton, Sudbury, and Assabet, inspirations for an exhibit of paintings and other works at the Fowler Library.  

“Rivers of Acton” celebrates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. It “highlights the incredible natural resources in town that we need to celebrate, enjoy, and conserve,” says Dorrie Karlin, head of branch services for the Acton Free Public Library. 

The exhibit is a collaboration between ArtScape and OARS and features pottery, a quilt, a wooden vase, maps, collage, a steel sculpture, photographs, paintings, and needle felting. It runs through July 5. 

“We’re proud to support this exhibit as we celebrate 250 years of Acton’s story,” says Sarah Kwan, director of communications and development for OARS, a non-profit watershed organization in Acton. 

“It’s a beautiful reminder that these waterways aren’t just part of our history — they’re still vibrant threads that run through our communities,” says Kwan. The show is “a moving tribute to the rivers we work every day to protect.”

The three rivers form a 399-square-mile watershed, “passing through mill towns and farms, small cities and suburbs,” according to OARS. 

‘They are in awe’ 

ArtScape, which provides space for local artists to work, is in the Bradford Mill. The Mill is part of the West Acton Junction Cultural District. 

Putting together “Rivers of Acton” was “amazing,” says Ann Sussman, ArtScape coordinator, with 52 artists ages 6 to 88, many of them from Acton, displaying their work. 

Many people are not aware of where the rivers are, nor their role in history, she says. When visitors walk into the exhibit in the library’s community meeting room, “it’s wonderful to watch their expressions change.” Sussman adds. “They are in awe.” 

Elizabeth Frank, who has been an artist “my whole life,” mainly creates mixed-media collages using hand-painted paper, sometimes incorporating the poetry she writes. Since she left her job in medical publishing more than a year ago, she has been focusing on her art. 

“I love the theme of rivers,” Frank says. “They connect us and bring life to wherever they flow. I want the art I make to do the same.” Her piece is called “Assabet River Reflection.” 

‘A metaphor for life’

Will Manning works with sheet steel, stained glass, and light. His piece in the show is titled “The River Runs Through It.” 

Though Manning’s father was an artist, “ I couldn’t draw or paint for beans,” he says. However, Manning loved “the tactile aspect” of hands-on work. He made pottery, moved on to glass blowing, and taught himself basic welding. “Now I’m in love with sculpture,” he says. 

Manning regards a river as “a metaphor for life,” he says. “You can jump in and enjoy the adventure, or you can stand back and let it pass you by. I’ve been thinking about sculpture for years and finally decided to take the plunge. I don’t know why I waited so long, because it feels so great to be in that creative place. It’s never too late.”

Acton artist David Owen, a painter, says the show “highlights why Acton exists at all. The confluence of these three rivers made this land fertile and a gathering place for people for thousands of years.” For his piece “Why Acton,” he says he “wanted to create an iconic representation of that enduring confluence.” 

Sussman is a writer and painter who also enjoys photography and works under the name Benet. One of her pieces, “Sunset: Acton River,” captures a placid end-of-day scene at the Old North Bridge. 

“Rivers of Acton” at the Fowler Library, 1322 Main Street, runs through July 5. Library hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays.