Greta Pratt (American, b. 1955), Chairs on Dock, from the series Tidewater, 2020, Archival pigment print, Courtesy of the artist

The Chrysler Museum of Art is pleased to partner with Old Dominion University’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation & Resilience (ICAR) to present Waters Rising: A View From Our Backyard. Communities across the Hampton Roads region routinely witness the adverse impacts of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and climate change. Flooded streets and waterlogged cars have become familiar sights as high tides and intensifying storms push water further into low-lying neighborhoods. While sea-level rise and increased flooding threaten the well-being of individuals, communities, and the entire region, the need to build sustainable practices that mitigate or adapt to change has become increasingly urgent.

“Like many institutions in Hampton Roads, the Chrysler Museum directly experiences the effects of sea-level rise on a regular basis. Resiliency is the top concern as we plan for our future.” –Erik H. Neil, PhD, Director, Chrysler Museum of Art

Waters Rising explores the research undertaken by ICAR to strengthen coastal resilience in Hampton Roads. Museum visitors will ponder the causes of rising water levels in Norfolk, learn about ODU’s Innovative Blue Line Project, hear local flood stories, and explore ideas for reducing vulnerability and planning for the future.

“Over the last decade, ODU experts have focused on issues of sea-level rise and flooding in the laboratory, the classroom, and the community to address the challenges facing our region and other coastal regions across the country and the world.  The University is invested heavily in communicating to the public the myriad emerging challenges surrounding resilience planning.  In doing so, we’re proud to continue the educational legacy started by Dr. Larry Atkinson more than a decade ago.” –John Broderick, PhD, President Emeritus, Old Dominion University

Waters Rising serves as a complement to FloodZone, Anastasia Samoylova’s photographic investigation into the physical and psychological effects of sea-level rise along South Florida’s coastline. Located in the Frank Photography Gallery, FloodZone visually documents the critical issues addressed in Waters Rising, capturing subtle signs of incremental change and impending disaster. Together, Waters Rising and FloodZone offer searching analyses of two regions situated on the frontlines of climate change, uniting distinct coastal communities to examine pressing concerns facing us all.

Waters Rising: A View From Our Backyard is dedicated to Larry P. Atkinson (1941–2020), who brought people together around the issues of climate change and sea-level rise and helped launch ODU on its path to making a difference in addressing flooding and sea-level rise.

Exhibition Contributors

• Old Dominion University Institute of Coastal Adaptation & Resilience (ICAR)

  • Jessica Whitehead, Director, ICAR
  • Tom Allen, Professor, Department of Political Science & Geography
  • Abbie Basile, Engineering & Physical Sciences Librarian, University Libraries
  • Brendan Baylor, Assistant Professor, Department of Art
  • Sonke Dangendorf, Assistant Professor, Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences
  • Alfonso Macias Tapia, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences
  • Joleen Mcinnis, Health & Life Sciences Librarian, University Libraries
  • George McLeod, Assistant Director, Geospatial & Visualization Systems, Information Technology Services
  • Margaret Mulholland, Professor, Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences
  • Natalia Pilato, Assistant Professor and Art Education Program Director, Department of Art
  • Greta Pratt, Professor, Department of Art
  • Elizabeth Smith, Director, Interdisciplinary Initiatives, The Graduate School
  • Tancy Vandecar-Burdin, Director, Social Science Research Center
  • Wie Yusuf, Professor, School of Public Service

• Emily Steinhilber, Director, Virginia Coastal Resilience, Environmental Defense Fund
• Lengxi Zhe, Artist