EcoArtFest encourages environmental activism at Cooper's Landing

Missouri River Relief has organized cleanups on the Missouri River from Yankton, South Dakota to St. Louis, Missouri.

By Paige Pritchard

Published Sept. 8, 2008

It was nearing dusk and the smell from Chim's Thai Food trailer was strong as two young girls laughed and chased each other through the maze of tents and booths, finally ending up at the children's art table. Although the table contained an array of rocks, paper and bricks to paint, the girls chose to paint each other, coming away with faces still smiling - now covered in bright, drying designs.

The third annual EcoArtFest was held this weekend at Cooper's Landing, where from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening, local artists and environmental organizations set up booths along the banks of the Missouri River and welcomed guests to learn about it.

The festival expressed this year's theme of "Our Local Treasures" by showcasing local artisans and area musicians including Todd Wait, Bob Runyon and Dave Lackey, the Dragonfly Dance Troupe and Missouri poet laureate Walter Bargen. Most of the music reflected what many at the festival dubbed as "river culture."

"I think whatever way you can send people a message, whether it be through art or environmentalism, you just have to get the message out there," Missouri River Relief volunteer John Brady said.

For many, Cooper's Landing serves as an inspiration for local and national environmental activism.

"(Missouri River Relief) started right here," Brady said. "A group of five or six of our friends started coming down here and noticing all of the trash, so we contacted Chad Pregracke, founder of Living Lands and Waters and, with his help, organized a clean-up of the Missouri River. We had nearly 500 people show up that first time."

Seven years later, the organization has expanded into a group of 40 volunteers stationed in Columbia and 20 in Kansas City, organizing cleanups on the river all the way from Yankton, S.D., to St. Louis, Mo.

"If we can go from here to the moon, we can certainly do something for the Earth's current condition," said Michael Harper, a local artist selling copper jewelry made of recycled electrical wire and pennies.

The festival also included events held throughout the weekend, along with vendors, booths and musical entertainment.

As a rainbow appeared in the eastern sky Sunday night, guests were torn between it and the sunset that had been missed the night before.

"Have you ever seen a sunset here?" regular Cooper's Landing visitor Jeanie Kuntz said. "Providence Bend produces some of the most extraordinary sunsets. Any time there's a clear sky with just a few clouds, make a point to just take 30 minutes out of your schedule and come down to watch."

Although the music still played, the chatter began to quiet down as the guests' attention was captured by the evolving sunset.

"It's beautiful," Kuntz's friend Mike Jones said. "The sky is reflected by the river and the water turns into molten steel."

Although art and environmentalism was a clear focus of the weekend, many guests were attracted to the event by the community offered at Cooper's Landing.

"What you're tapping into is a culture," Jones said, taking off his hat. "This white hair here is being replaced. The river culture is changing. This is a place where you can see at least three generations of the Columbia grassroots movement come together."

The Missouri River Cultural Conservancy attended the event, recording musicians and documenting local artists and events in an effort to preserve the river's culture.

At Sunday's dusk, the night's festivities begin to slow down and eventually culminate with a performance by Cajun string band Swampweed.

"I think it's a good thing anytime you can gather people from multiple generations in an open air venue and celebrate local culture," Kuntz said.