by Rachel Parish and Sarah Cameron Sunde
The South River begins in Atlanta, and its waters run across Georgia to the Atlantic Ocean; yet many Atlantans have never heard of it. Running through mostly low-income neighborhoods, it has been largely ignored. In 2021, American Rivers classified it as the 4th most endangered river in the United States. Atlanta to the Atlantic begins and ends in Atlanta neighborhoods where the river’s urban tributaries are accessible and aims to foster awareness of the South River by bringing people into closer relationship with the waterway.
From May 17 – June 30, 2024, artists Rachel Parish and Sarah Cameron Sunde will journey the entire length of the watershed from Southeast Atlanta to Sapelo Island. A durational work, their journey draws a continuous line that serves to underscore the interconnectedness of Georgia’s urban and rural communities. Moving from the South River to the Ocmulgee, along the Altamaha and to the Atlantic Ocean, Parish and Sunde will document this journey at riverspeed, inviting connection and engagement from communities along the way, and slowly constructing a dynamic portrait of the human and natural communities that are united by this waterway.
Returning to Atlanta this fall, the project will culminate with the creation of site-specific installations along the tributaries in three Atlanta neighborhoods. These installations will highlight the presence of the waterway, offer opportunities for recreation and reflection, and incorporate elements of the collective portrait that emerged along the journey. Through the installations and supporting programs, the project seeks to bring community understanding of how to improve the river’s water quality and enhance the health of our environment.
DETAILS
Journey from
Atlanta to the Atlantic
May 17 – June 30, 2024
Installations Sept. – Oct.
EVENTS
Flow Like Water Workshop
Mon, April 29, 5pm – 7pm
Flow Like Water Workshop
Sat, May 4, 11am – 1pm
Flow Like Water Workshop
Sat, May 4, 2pm – 4pm
Project Launch
Fri, May 17, 11am
Atlanta to the Atlantic is presented by Flux Projects in partnership with the South River Watershed Alliance (SRWA). In addition, we are over the moon to be working with the following team of collaborators.
Advisors
Jacqueline Echols | South River Watershed Alliance
Margaret Spalding | South River Watershed Alliance and the South River Forest Coalition
Dorian McDuffie | City of Atlanta Department of Planning
Nedra Deadwyler | Community Builder + Social Practitioner
Paul Medders | Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Ryan Gravel | Sixpitch
Kit and Mary Carson | Ocmulgee Water Trail
James Reilly | Altamaha Riverkeeper
Joe Cook | Georgia River Network
Ben Emanuel | American Rivers
Teri Nye | National Park Service
Scott Taylor | Three Rivers Outdoors
Adam Heagy and Madison Green | Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions
Cindy Dennard | SouthEast Adventure Outfitters
Neill Herring | Environmental Lobbyist
Francis J. Magilligan | Professor of Geology and Policy Studies
Janisse Ray | Author, Ecology of a Cracker Childhood et al.
Suzanne Welander | Author, Canoeing & Kayaking Georgia
Richard Milligan | Political Ecologist, University of Georgia
Adam McKinnon | Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Cathy Sakas | Coastal Naturalist
Marie Lorenz | Artist, Tide and Current Taxi
RACHEL PARISH 