storming the sound conference: oh yes

A week ago we took the aLIVe project to Storming the Sound, a day-long conference for educators and activists who are working to preserve and restore Puget Sound, hosted by the Seattle Art Museum. The thread of infrastructure and runoff water that contribute to poisoning this great resource connected aLIVe to the attendees. There were great keynotes, giving an overview of the state of the Sound and activism on its behalf. I wish I could have attended all the breakout sessions. In our presentation to about 20 folks the video embedded in our Powerpoint presentation was a no-go (universal media file, you are my dream). Instead, we used the time to hear from everyone in the room. What was their interest and connection to the Sound, and how might they use the approaches of the artists in aLIVe in their work? Fantastic. Never has a Fail Whale given so much back. From a scientist studying orcas who has identified runoff water as the most poisonous and dangerous thing in the orca’s environment to graduate students, classroom educators and activists, the stories added up to passion, reflection and connection. At the end of the session people were exchanging business cards, deep in conversation and energized. We felt so lucky to be in the room with them all.