Word Above the Street in collaboration with Studio in a School is pleased to announce WATER! The Water Tank Project NYC Art Exhibition. The exhibition is a selection of works by New York City public high school students from all five boroughs who participated in the Spring 2012 Art Competition for The Water Tank Project. Curated by Neville Wakefield, Bettina Bryant and Mary Jordan, WATER! The Water Tank Project NYC Art Exhibition will be on view at David Zwirner’s 535 West 20th Street New York space September 27 – October 6, 2012. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, September 27th from 6 – 8pm with many of the students present.

Founded by Mary Jordan, Word Above the Street (a New York City based non-profit organization devoted to merging art and technology for advocacy’s sake), in collaboration with Studio in a School, engaged students from five New York public high schools to participate in an art competition for The Water Tank Project. The goal of the competition and exhibition is to celebrate the achievement of these students and to raise public awareness about water as the defining resource of the 21st century. The exhibition serves as a prelude to a city-wide public art project, The Water Tank Project, slated for May 31st, 2013.

The Water Tank Project feature exhibition will be a highly curated selection of New York City’s iconic rooftop water tanks that will be temporarily wrapped with original artworks on the subject of water. Confirmed artists to date include Ghada Amer and Reza Farkondeh, John Baldessari, Andy Goldsworthy, Jeff Koons, Julie Mehretu, Ed Ruscha, Bruce Weber, Lawrence Weiner amongst others. Geared towards raising awareness of water as the most valuable resource, the exhibition will bring together the work of both established and emerging artists as well as local high school students. The exhibition will be complemented with education programs, public tours and a symposium on global water issues.

The Water Tank Project provides a unique opportunity for public school children to project their voice on an important issue. The project aligns with Studio in a School’s effort to offer students the “experience of reflection, discovery and wonder” and the focused art activities will support skills and behavior that are intrinsic to intellectual and social growth as well as instill excitement and pride in their creations.

The Water Tank Project’s Public School Competition utilizes the Five Strands of Arts Learning detailed in the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Visual Arts, a city-wide visual arts curriculum co-created by Studio in a School and the New York City Department of Education. Through these programs, students have been exposed to cross-disciplinary, career-building skills that include: setting goals, planning and working both independently and as a team. Students from high schools across New York City’s five boroughs are participating in The Water Tank Project Competition, and five finalists will be selected to have their work featured on a highly visible water tank.

WATER! The Water Tank Project NYC Art Exhibition is made possible by the Booth Ferris Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation. Whole Foods Market is the refreshment provider and a continued supporter of The Water Tank Project.