Water Ways : University of Dayton, Ohio

Illustrated water, such as a river, with blue and green tones. Still and reflective water with large, smooth brown rocks scattered in the foreground showing that the water is shallow.

Tuesday August 1, 2023

Water Ways

By Ann Zlotnik

Getting out there

For many people, summertime activities center upon water: kayaking down a winding stream, splashing in salty ocean waves, finding a lakeside fishing spot or floating in a neighborhood pool. A body of water — even one flowing from a garden hose into a kiddie pool — can be the source of a fun-filled day with family and friends.

Staying hydrated

When it is simmering hot outside, nothing brings relief like a big glass of ice water. Add some lemons and a bit of sugar for classic lemonade. Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, we had a constant supply of Kool-Aid packets in the cupboard. Choosing the flavor you were feeling at the moment, then mixing it with 2 quarts of water and 1 cup of sugar made the whole day a little (actually a lot) sweeter. Speaking of sweeter, how about some sweet iced tea?

Feeling artsy

Inspired by all that water is and does, I found a variety of artworks in the Marian Library’s collection that, like summer activities and refreshments, are centered on water. They remind me that water is a symbol of life and renewal. We literally cannot live without it — physically or spiritually.

— Ann Zlotnik is a graphic designer and the communication and creative coordinator for the University Libraries and the Marian Library at the University of Dayton.

The top half of this abstract artwork is a dark and bright blue sky overlaid with gold lines creating a grid. In each square of the grid, more gold lines exist forming an X. At each corner of the squares is an ornamental 8-point gold star. In one central square is a large 8-point star. The bottom half of the artwork is filled with repeated graphics representing waves. Each of the graphics is outlined in gold and is filled with a muted dark blue, bright blue combination. The mirror image of the stars from the top half serve as a reflection in the bottom half.

“Mary, Star of the Sea” by Katrina Rose Harrington, Marian Library Art and Artifacts Collection

This handmade depiction of the Flight to Egypt is 3-dimensional. Dolls representing the Holy Family are in a canoe made of a natural material. Mary is dressed in brown and holds the Infant Jesus in her arms while sitting in the canoe. Joseph, dressed in dark gray, seems to be paddling the canoe from a sitting position. The canoe is placed on a hand-painted river. The banks are adorned with moss and small rocks. The sky is a very bright, even blue with one long fuzzy cloud.

“Still Coming” by Graciela Kuchaczuk, Argentinian Nativity from the Marian Library Crèche Collection

“Spirit’s Image” by Edward B. Ostendorf, Marian Library Art and Artifacts Collection

This is image is predominantly blue and displays a transparent illustrated Mary and a toddler-age Jesus, both with childlike faces and simple lines. They are large and overlaying an ocean scene that has a ship with many sails to the left and green coral in the foreground. The sky is filled with small stars and one large star at the very top. Three shadowy doves circle Mary's head.

“Virgen Viajera" print by Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo, Marian Library Art and Artifacts Collection

Abstract artwork consisting mostly of bright blues and greens and geometric shapes with black outlines resembling stained-glass. A depiction of light blue water with jagged black lines flows in a diagonal up toward the right corner. Behind the water a rectangle of green represents land. A straight rectangle of dark blue is at the very top. In the dark blue is a small, light blue triangle that points downward. A white star is inside the triangle.

“Stella Maris/Star of the Sea” by Sarah Hall, Marian Library Art and Artifacts Collection

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