Over the past four years, UW-Milwaukee has worked closely with WaterMarks MKE, an initiative that helps people better understand their relationships with the water systems and infrastructure that support their lives.
Started in 2014, WaterMarks hosts a series of public programs, community events, and initiatives that develop community understanding regarding water conservation and environmental activism. This project further pursues its mission by working alongside artists to create visually appealing works throughout Milwaukee that help educate the city.
Art MFA candidate Corrigan Eckert is a Graduate Assistant with WaterMarks in a role that aims to expand her knowledge of using art to provide education on water sustainability.
“I’ve always been really intrigued in art as a vehicle to encourage people to learn and know more about the environment,” said Eckert. “The best art is visually dynamic and can get you to connect or believe. That’s what WaterMarks is doing.”
In 2021, the renowned New York City artist Mary Miss, along with Principal Investigators (PIs) from UWM’s Geography Department, faculty from Art and Design, and colleagues from the Center for Student Experience and Talent, secured a four-year, multi-million-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation. This grant helped expand the WaterMarks project, giving more UWM and PSOA students a chance to be involved.
As a Graduate Assistant, Eckert works with the Center for Student Experience and Talent at UWM. Her focus is on improving community engagement through tabling events, networking with other organizations, and youth outreach.
Eckert’s role at WaterMarks goes hand-in-hand with her research as a master’s student. Centered on human perspectives regarding the wellbeing of animals and plants, Eckert’s process of doing environmental research has been informed by the increase in community involvement that has come from her WaterMarks role.
“It’s important to think about audience and community and how that all comes together to make an artwork,” said Eckert. “You might make something beautiful, but I don’t know if it is fully art until it’s been experienced and interpreted by people.”
WaterMarks strives to build community and reinforce the importance of education. At a time where environmental threats are more pronounced than ever, WaterMarks aims to provide a stroke of positivity.
“There needs to be hope and you need to give people concrete things they can do to help,” said Eckert. “Our hope is to give community members the chance to engage in a way where they know they are not alone… Community is so important to make the impact we want.”
To learn more about how WaterMarks empowers artists, scientists, and community members, visit the WaterMarks MKE website.
Story by Jason McCullum ’25