Nancy Nowacek

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POWER OBJECTS & (IM)POSSIBLE DEMANDS: 
A WALLKILL RITUAL
2025-2026 






Performance, Installation 



Power Objects and (Im)possible Demands: A Wallkill Ritual is a two-part participatory performance enlisting the collaboration of the more-than-human world and the planetary power of water to ignite change. 

Inspired by ancient spiritual practices and contemporary political discord, participants sculpted symbols of change—a need that seems unmeetable, a force that requires countering. In A Wallkill Ritual, freeze-cast Power Objects made from Wallkill River water were offered to the Wallkill to activate its supernatural forces. Joining with the Rondout, then spilling into the Hudson, then the Atlantic, and the world, each object will set an intention towards a future we each desire. 

Symbols of change crafted by New Paltz community members

Freeze-cast Power Objects, made from Wallkill River water
Installation view, photo Sean Hemmerle



Views from A Wallkill Ritual, photos Sean Hemmerle
Participants received a Power Object...
...and offered it to the Wallkill River

Aerial view of A Wallkill Ritual: singing the Algonquin Water Song to the River in thanks, photo Sean Hemmerle



Key to species in center banner

PROJECT CREDITS

Wallkill Futures
Director: Lize Mogel
Participating Artists: Fictilis, Matthew Friday,
sTo Len, Lize Mogel, Nancy Nowacek

Community Partners:
Unison Arts
Wallkill River Watershed Alliance
Hudson River Watershed Alliance

Power Objects and (Im)Possible Futures
Power Object artists: Lindsey Cormack, Lisa Doliver,
Ben Gilman, Steve Gilman, Leilani Gonzales, Alex Harris,
Lize Mogel, Allison Moore, MJ Nusbaum, Karen Seyfert, 
John Sharp
Assistance: MJ Nusbaum 
Construction support: Matthew Friday 
Design support: Blake Gobel 
Housing & Studio support: Marina Zurkow, Dakuu & Gonzales 
Emotional support: John Sharp
Documentation: Sean Hemmerle




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©2025 Nancy Nowacek
Nancy Nowacek artist is a research-based artist, designer, and educator working in visual art, public art, social practice, and socially-engaged contexts.