Since prehistoric times springs have been key to humanity’s survival. Unfortunately, arid and semi-arid land springs, and their supporting aquifers in North America are endangered and disappearing at a rate that continues to increase as the water crisis in the West prevails across lands that are the driest they have been in 1,200 years. Being an artist who is passionate about the water crisis and water scarcity in the West, I am drawn to their story as unseen yet essential details whose importance is misunderstood.

Living on the Colorado Plateau I was struck by the contrast between spring-fed oases and their parched surroundings. I noticed how a landscape of drought and aquifer overuse can drain color out of the environment. The toned colors of Maynard Dixon’s Western landscape paintings provided my inspiration to use color to imply the vulnerability and precarious future of dry land springs. This series is an intersection of art and ecology where I interpret scientific data visually and viscerally to humanize its complexity, while at the same time addressing a wider view of climate change and its impacts on dry land springs by making them feel accessible and personal in order to encourage engagement in their stewardship.

Currently, there is a lack of public information on the importance of these waters and the need for their protection; conservation is inconsistent at best. Springs continue to hold vital clues to the health and longevity of the underground aquifers we depend on, and the loss of these significant ecosystems will continue to threaten our ability to live in dry places. If we want any chance to combat the climate crisis, then the importance of recording these last few ecological sites before they are gone, and capitalizing on these opportunities to raise awareness, cannot be understated. The time is now.

Why do people make photographs? Photography is a visual language that has the power to communicate the maker's experiences/thoughts. As Center's 2023 Launch Grant Juror, I had the opportunity to experience a wide range of ideas through the lens of hundreds of photographers, including personal stories, current events, calls to action, and overlooked beauty in everyday life, to name a few.

It was an honor to have the opportunity to provide support and spotlight a project. That said, it wasn't an easy choice due to the wide range of work submitted. When viewing images, there is a range of criteria that I am looking at - first and foremost is how the photographs make me feel. Following my gut reaction is how the images work individually and as a body of work. I consider the compositions, use of color or tonal ranges of black and white works, and lighting. I choose to look at images before reading the statement because I want the text to add a deeper level of appreciation but not be necessary to understand what the photographer is attempting to communicate. I believe that the most successful photographs mirror their creator and the world around them – so I am looking for a bond between the photographer and their subject. Bonds like this take time and a healthy amount of obsession to establish.

The project I selected addresses Water - a vital element for every human, plant, and animal. Bremner Benedict's "Hidden Waters" is a project focused on desert springs in the American West and Northern Mexico, calling attention to desert waters with the hope of conservation. The use of color in this project intrigues me; the landscapes are composed of subtle desert shades and showcase the water like the rare jewel it is. Being a desert dweller myself, this is a project that I relate to, but it also deepened my understanding of the subject and caused me to think. I would imagine that when Bremner Benedict began this project, she had the same experience.

- Anne Kelly • Director, photo-eye Gallery