ArtsRevive, with The Alabama Humanities Foundation, will examine water as an environmental necessity and an important cultural element as it hosts “Water/Ways,” a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program.

ArtsRevive was selected to host the exhibit starting in March 2018.

“It’s one of their largest outreach programs,” said Martha Lockett, ArtsRevive Executive Director. “We’re really excited and honored that the Humanities Foundation wanted it to be here and ArtsRevive to be the host for it.”

The exhibition will open in Eufaula in June 2017, and close in Selma 2018.

“Water/Ways” explores the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning have long been affected by access to water and control of water resources.

Designed for small town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, “Water/Ways” will serve as a community meeting place to convene conversations about water’s impact on American culture.

“They wanted it here because we are on the river and we are center to the Black Belt,” Lockett said.

“With that exhibit will come funding for ancillary opportunities. We will be developing some potential exhibits that may be in Selma, may be in other places in the Black Belt, that relate to water.”

Lockett said some of those exhibits may deal with the way water was used for transportation during the Civil War, or looking at equity issues with water or water as a cultural place dealing with recreational activities.

“Other small communities that have hosted this have had tremendous interest,” Lockett said.

Lockett said it’s a great opportunity to up tourism during the exhibit by bringing in people to stop by the show, and hopefully check out other parts of Selma while they’re in town.

“The more we can use that as a tourist draw, … the more people we can get into Selma and the more economic support we can give to the businesses here,” Lockett said. “It’s just a big opportunity.”

Monique Martin Williams will serve as the local project coordinator.

To learn more about the exhibit, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.