The Quad City Area is known for not only having five cities in its “quad”, but also for the unique culture found in each: Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island and East Moline. Young, old, or somewhere in between there is something to appreciate in the QCA. The area has its own take on food, recreation, music and beer that would not have come to pass if it wasn’t for the grandeur of the Mississippi River.
Photo courtesy of http://www.davenportschools.org/west/
On June 10 local high schools participated in Quad Cities Area High Schools’ Pastel Competition, “NXT GEN ARTS EXPO”. The public was encouraged to vote for their favorite entry at the Midcoast Gallery located at the Bucktown Center for the Arts in Davenport, Iowa.
The winning entry was completed by students from Davenport West High School (Emma DeMarr, Jaya Santiya, Mimi Teerathammongkol, Brianna Hillyer and Mayli Grady), who spent over five hours creating a chalk pastel that is 4 feet high by 16 feet long.
Emma DeMarr, who spearheaded the idea for the themed mural, had previously volunteered with 1 Mississippi and was moved to incorporate the River Citizen message. DeMarr said, “I thought it fit perfectly, summing up our entire message; that the Mississippi River is pretty awesome and we are all brought together by our shared experience of it”.
Photo courtesy of http://www.davenportschools.org/west/
The WHS entry not only won first place, but also people’s choice! This probably had something to do with the group’s motivation to make the mural all about the people of the Mississippi Valley! Not only does the mural clearly depict some of the most unique aspects about the QCA, but it also illustrates how the Mississippi River has shaped the area’s culture and how the people are impacting the River. To learn more about how our actions change the River or how to get involved please check out other 1 Mississippi blogs and our extensive calendar of events!
See you by the River!
Jessica Zimmerman, 1 Mississippi Outreach Assistant