As part of the kickoff to the Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit's arrival in Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey has issued an official proclamation declaring June 2 - 8 as Water/Ways Week.

Visit the Water/Ways website to read the proclamation.

	Luci a volunteer from Sierra Vista and Karl from the Fort Apache Heritage Foundation install the exhibit

Cheers to a grand opening of the Water/Ways exhibit in Bisbee! The first six host sites joined Bisbee for the installation training last week. Representatives from each site worked together to install the exhibit, and swapped ideas to prepare for their own upcoming programs and exhibit installations. Thank you to Carol Harsh from the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program for leading an incredible workshop. The exhibit is open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. through July 15. Follow the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum on facebook for the latest news and highlights from their archives.

Carrie Gustavson, Director of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and Samantha Anderson, Grants Manager for Arizona Humanities.

Water/Ways State Scholar Dr. Paul Hirt shows off the exhibit to visitors at the opening reception.

Read more about Bisbee and their water programs.

Thank you to ASU Now for the feature on the exhibit opening! Read the ASU Now article.

Water is Life by Isaac Caruso

	Isaac Caruso

Arizona Humanities created a "Water is Life" coloring book to compliment the Water/Ways exhibit. The coloring book presents the water stories of the 12 communities hosting the exhibit. Each site collected unique stories and artifacts from their respective communities. The result was an array of drawings, historical photos, paintings, and poems. Artist  Isaac Caruso transformed these into colorable illustrations. Isaac is an illustrator, graphic designer, creative director and muralist born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. The coloring book's front and back covers represents the vibrant and rich history of water in Arizona.

Read more about Isaac and the Water/Ways Coloring Book.

At the April Board Meeting, four new board members were elected to the Arizona Humanities Board of Directors. Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Bonilla, Dr. Valerio Ferme, Joel Fritzler, and Andrew Krahe. 

Dr. Jennifer C. Bonilla	Dr. Valerio Ferme
Joel Fritzler	Andrew Krahe

Read more about each board member.

Sheep is Life Celebration from 2016, photo by Cindy Dvergsten

June's grantee highlight is Diné be' iiná, Inc., a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 that promotes sustainable livelihood through Navajo Way of Life by celebrating sheep, weaving, and Navajo culture. The 22nd Annual Sheep is Life Celebration takes place June 15-16 at Dine College Campus in Tsaile, AZ. The event offers f ree workshops and programs for the whole family. In addition to the two-day event, Dine Be' Iina will host monthly community-based events to share and provide trainings in the creation of fiber/wool projects in Window Rock, Ganado and Tsaile. These workshops provide attendees the opportunity to learn and exchange knowledge about the Navajo pastoral lifeway.

Learn more at navajolifeway.org. 

About Arizona Humanities

Arizona Humanities is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the Arizona affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1973, Arizona Humanities has supported public programs that promote the understanding of the human experience with cultural, educational, and nonprofit organizations across Arizona.