“Making Waves” is a photography exhibit by photojournalist Laura Watilo Blake that documents efforts to bring safe drinking water to an African village. It is now on display through March 31 at Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Conservation Center, 3850 Chagrin River Road, Moreland Hills.
Blake spent two years working with the local nonprofit organization “Drink Local. Drink Tap.” to help raise awareness about water issues both in the U.S. and abroad. She documented life in a small Ugandan village and the efforts to bring safe drinking water to that specific community.
The resulting collection, along with photos of water worldwide, is now on display at the Land Conservancy’s headquarters on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An opening reception with Blake, who owns Elbee Studio in Cleveland, and Erin Huber, Drink Local. Drink Tap. Executive Director and Founder, will take place from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 25. The Land Conservancy is hosting the exhibit to kick off Sustainable Cleveland 2019’s Year of Clean Water.
Since 2010, the not-for-profit Drink Local. Drink Tap., Inc. has been creatively reconnecting people to water through video, photography and art in order to educate and engage youth, communities and people of all socio-economic backgrounds about the importance of caring for the water we put into our bodies and the water that surrounds us.
DLDT’s projects include the Wavemaker Program in schools, monthly beach cleanups, a 4 Miles 4 Water event, an Annual Gala and safe water access projects in east Africa.
Western Reserve Land Conservancy is Ohio’s largest land trust and one of the largest in the nation. The Land Conservancy preserves natural areas, farmland and coastal lands in northern and eastern Ohio in addition to urban revitalization work statewide. To date, the Land Conservancy has preserved more than 550 properties and 40,000 acres.
