OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Communications & Development | Published November 1 2024

OARS would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Three Stones Gallery and Jennifer Johnston, the gallery owner and one of the featured artists, for hosting the inspiring 3 Rivers, Stones, Visions event on October 26th. We were honored to have over 50 community members join us for an evening that truly celebrated the intersection of art, nature, and community stewardship.

The gallery buzzed with energy and vibrant conversation as attendees admired the captivating works of Jennifer Johnston, Jonathan MacAdam, and Colleen Pearce. The art, paired with the delicious food and wine, provided the perfect backdrop for meaningful discussions between the OARS team and our guests. We shared our vision, discussed new and ongoing programs, and listened to attendees’ personal stories and connections with the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers.

One highlight of the evening was Jennifer Johnston’s announcement that Three Stones Gallery will donate 20% of this show’s proceeds to OARS, so get on down there and purchase some fine art to support our mission of keeping the rivers clean, cool, and connected while ensuring river stewardship is accessible to all. Jennifer also shared the exciting news that in 2025, the gallery will dedicate a wall to showcase art and poetry from the children of the SuAsCo watershed, depicting their experiences and connections with our rivers (more on this coming soon).

OARS’ Executive Director, Matt Brown, inspired attendees with an overview of OARS’ achievements and ambitious goals for the future. He reminded everyone of the critical role our community plays in the next chapter of OARS’ story:

“The first chapter of OARS’ story was one of urgency and action… Today, thanks to tireless advocacy and stewardship, our rivers are now boatable, fishable, and swimmable in many places. But our work isn’t done. The next chapter of our work will protect these waters and ensure everyone has the opportunity to paddle, explore, and enjoy them.”

Matt asked for the community’s support to help OARS raise $30,000 to expand our education, community engagement, and river stewardship programs:

• Water Wise Workshops: By 2025, we aim to reach 10x more students annually to foster the next generation of river stewards.
• Community Paddles: We plan to bring hundreds of diverse participants onto our rivers, inspiring advocacy and connection.
• Invasive Species Removal and Cleanups: We aim to increase efforts tenfold to keep our rivers healthy for future generations.

Imagine moving from hundreds to thousands—this isn’t just growth; it’s a commitment to the future of the SuAsCo rivers. Your support makes this possible. Please consider donating and being a part of this next chapter.

DONATE NOW

 to help us meet our goal and create lasting change for the rivers we cherish!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for making this evening unforgettable. Your presence and support mean the world to us.

SEE EVENT PHOTO ALBUM