Sarah Nassif: Using Art to Connect People with Nature | River of Ideas, Episode 01

For our first episode of River of Ideas, we sit down with MWMO Artist-in-Residence Sarah Nassif to talk about her upbringing, her evolution from naturalist to artist, and how her Weaving Water workshops helped foster a sense of community in a troubled time.

Credits:

Abby Moore — Host
Sarah Nassif — Guest
Nick Busse — Production, Editing
Eva Hanson — Camera Assistant

About River of Ideas:

River of Ideas is a podcast about greener cities and cleaner water through science and urban planning. We cover topics like green infrastructure, water quality, landscape design, ecology, environmental policy, and environmental justice.

River of Ideas is produced by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, a Minneapolis-based joint-powers local government unit and one of approximately three dozen watershed organizations in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Learn more at mwmo.org.

About Sarah Nassif:

Sarah Nassif is a self-taught social-practice artist living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She received her B.S. in Botany from the University of Washington in 1997 and worked in environmental education, urban forestry, and data analysis before becoming an artist. In her community-engaged art projects, Sarah Nassif connects people, plants, and place through sensory exploration of natural and human-built environments, hands-on skills practice, and person-to-person sharing.

Sarah currently serves as Artist in Residence at MWMO. Since October 2021, her workshops and art projects have drawn community back into conversations about how each of us can support clean water, care for the river, and share our knowledge in our own communities creatively.

Website: sarahnassif.com

Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed by speakers on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the MWMO. The information provided during these episodes is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The MWMO does not endorse or assume any responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any information shared on the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to do their own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the MWMO. 

Thanks for listening! Check us out at mwmo.org.

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro, Favorite Waterbodies
• 4:46 Family, Upbringing, First Nature Experiences
• 10:30 College Shift from Art to Botany
• 18:40 Reconnecting with Nature in Minnesota
• 25:10 Transition to Artist, Finding Her People
• 31:10 Weaving, Fiber Art Experience
• 41:30 History of Indigo, Cultural Significance
• 46:00 Partnering with the MWMO
• 55:00 Building Community During COVID
• 1:00:00 Taking Weaving Water on the Road
• 1:10:00 Awareness of the River