Artwork depicting water in the Cedar River Watershed in Minnesota is wanted for an upcoming, six-week gallery exhibit in downtown Austin.

Austin ArtWorks Center is seeking entries of 2-D and 3-D visual art for the “Reviving Our River” exhibit set for April 20 to June 1 in its second-floor gallery. Due by April 17, submitted work – such as paintings, drawings and photography – must include a scene showing water from a location in the Cedar River Watershed in Minnesota.

A gallery opening for the Cedar River-themed exhibit will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 20.

Cedar River Watershed District is co-sponsoring the gallery showing with ArtWorks Center, which is operated by the nonprofit Austin Area Commission for the Arts (AACA). CRWD and AACA partnered in 2016 on a similar gallery show focused on Cedar River Watershed scenes.

“We’re excited to partner once again with ArtWorks Center in showcasing the beauty of the Cedar River State Water Trail and its tributaries through the creativity and eyes of the public,” said Tim Ruzek, CRWD outreach coordinator.

CRWD plans to showcase some of the photographs it received in 2017 through its inaugural “Cedar Scenes” weekly contest that attracted more than 300 images of the local watershed from 59 people.

To submit visual art for the exhibit, bring items to the Austin ArtWorks Center, 300 N. Main St., on April 13 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.); April 14 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or April 17 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Submitted work must include a title, name of waterway depicted, date and price (if for sale) for each piece. Sales of exhibited artwork will be handled by the Austin ArtWorks Center in accordance with its commissions process. ArtWorks staff will make the final decision on whether an item will be part of the gallery show, including how many items can be shown per artist.

“Artists have been inspired by nature for centuries, and local artists are no exception,” said Laura Helle, executive director of the Austin Area Commission for the Arts. “We are proud to support a healthy watershed by celebrating the beauty of the many waterways in the district as seen through the eyes of those local artists.”

Austin ArtWorks Center showcases local arts, provides arts enrichment to children and adults, and fosters a community of artists and art lovers. It hosts Mower County’s only public clay studio and has exhibits on its main and second floors that host gallery shows for professional and emerging artists as well as private collectors.

Cedar River’s watershed consists of numerous waterways, including Austin Mill Pond downtown; Ramsey Mill Pond; East Side Lake; Dobbins Creek; Turtle Creek; Wolf Creek (Todd Park); Roberts Creek; Rose Creek; Little Cedar River; Ramsey Creek; Orchard Creek; and Otter Creek, among others.

A watershed map can be found on the Cedar River Watershed District’s website – www.cedarriverwd.org. This, however, will not include some waterways, such as Turtle Creek and Little Cedar River, that are outside the district’s political boundaries but are part of the larger Cedar River Watershed.