On October 17 three of us from Orion traveled to Newport, New Hampshire, to visit an extraordinary art exhibition, “H2O: Film on Water.” The show includes videos, paintings, photographs, and other installations – all focused on the theme of water — by over 60 artists.

Standing in the massive (18,000 square foot) space – part of the recently renovated Newport Mill – the viewer is surrounded and lifted by the light, movement, and sound emanating from dozens of pieces of art. The integration of the mill’s architecture and the art associated with the exhibition is beautiful, powerful, and timely.

The show was organized by Cynthia Reeves, a long-time friend of Orion who has connected the magazine’s staff with a number of visual artists whose work has subsequently appeared in Orion. Cynthia is the creative director of the Great River Arts Institute, and the owner of the Cynthia-Reeves gallery in Manhattan.

Pieces of the show are also on display at other locations along the Connecticut River, including the Brattleboro (Vermont) Museum, Great River Arts in Bellows Falls, VT, and the Spheris Gallery in Hanover, NH.

The exhibition will remain installed until November 7. We highly recommend that anyone in driving distance go and experience it for themselves.

Photos by Jamie Goldenberg and Chip Blake