Watershed Whisperers

by Bayou Bay

at A night with the river

As the sun sets, wander the path alongside Wakpa Tanka / Misi-Ziibi / Mississippi River and listen. Swing, rest your body, dream. Whisper your wishes and affirmations into a small vessel of water and offer them back to the watershed.   

Watershed Whisperers is rooted in the notion that embodied learning is powerful. Learn about the watershed by touching water, walking with intention, whispering wishes and collective reflection. You are part of the watershed!

Accessibility note: Written information is in English. Swing chairs may not be accessible for everyone.

Artist Bio

Bayou Bay
Instagram: the_bayou_constellation

Bayou is a Twin Cities based installation artist and designer born in St. Paul on the occupied lands of the Dakota & Anishinaabe peoples. Bayou creates mixed-media art called Affirmation Mirrors composed mostly of fabric wrapped wood, yarn, mirrors, and beads. He also creates murals, art installations, digital illustrations, digital and print materials for artists and organizations, woodwork, and works as a teaching artist.  

Bayou’s art and design embody themes of nature from the micro to the cosmic, black and collective liberation, healing trauma, time, portals, geometry, setting intentions for affirmations, asking questions, symbols, and identity exploration. Water is an especially strong theme in the work as HaHa Wakpa (the Mississippi River) has been a major influence in many levels of Bayou’s life.

Bayou is 1/3rd of the Studio Thalo artist collective, a member of the Million Artist Movement artist cooperative, and a collaborating muralist with the Creatives After Curfew mural collective.

This project is supported by a grant from Capitol Region Watershed District.

Photo credit: image of Bayou Bay by Saymoukda Vongsay.

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