Clifton Library
Water Wall exhibit

2024

The Clifton Water Wall is an immersive, interactive exhibit that tells the story of the Colorado River, tracing its journey from the Rocky Mountains through the Grand Valley, into neighboring states, and finally back in time to the dinosaur age—a way to tie in the vast geological history of Western Colorado. Installed within the children’s section of the Mesa County Library, the wall is not just a visual storyteller but an interactive experience featuring sound, levers, and buttons that allow deeper exploration of the river’s significance. Visitors can press buttons to hear native bird calls, pull a lever to activate LED lights that mimic water flow and highlight the region’s intricate farm irrigation systems, and push another button to illuminate the Vegas skyline, powered by the Hoover Dam. A water drop character and bilingual informational panels in English and Spanish enhance accessibility, with text placed under plexiglass to reinforce the interactive and technological aspects of the exhibit. Together, these elements communicate the importance of water conservation and highlight the many reasons we must protect our rivers.

This project began as a collaboration between Colorado Mesa University engineering students and Mesa County Libraries. Initially, I was brought in to lead the artistic direction of the build. After early brainstorming sessions with the students, the library and I took over, with the library handling the behind-the-scenes mechanics—constructing panels, integrating electrical components, and ensuring the interactive wall functioned smoothly. My role was to develop the narrative and concept, hand-draw all the scenes, map out the visual storytelling, and create the informational panels, guiding the creative vision of the project. Through this collaboration, the Clifton Water Wall became a unique blend of education, interactivity, and environmental awareness, inspiring visitors to recognize and appreciate the vital role of water in our world.

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River Stop Interpretive Exhibit