Summary
Hello! I’m Spence. I’m an LGBTQ+ contemporary artist living and working in New Mexico. I am an adventurer, writer, visual artist, hiker, biker and runner. Traversing watersheds from Oregon to New Mexico over the last two decades, has me concerned for climate change, exponential human growth, extractivist culture and the rights/agencies of non-humans and the land.
I’m campaigning to raise money for a once and a lifetime writing and research trip, rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in April 2025. The money will help me offset the expedition costs, as well as help me pay to self-publish a book when I get back, to be released August 2025. I aim to create a book of drawings, photographs, wood block prints, essays and poems examining my experiences, the history of the Colorado River and the importance of keeping our watersheds healthy for all.
What I Need & What You Get
I am asking for $5000; most of which will go toward expedition costs and travel ($3000). The other $2000 will help me buy art-making materials and cameras, and will pay for the cost of printing my book. I plan to make a hard-cover book at least 25 color pages and at least 8x10 in size. Folks who donate at least $150 will get a copy of my book for free. Other options for lower donation amounts include a 4-pack of postcards, a 17x11” poster, zines and more. (Please see the “Perks” section for more information and donation options.)
If, in an overly generous scenario I exceed my funding goal, the extra money will go towards an exhibition and tabling event. There will be an artist talk and slide show, foodshare and celebration. This would be accompanied by local conservation organizations here in New Mexico, who are doing amazing work educating folks, rewilding and preserving our precious Rio Grande watershed.
If I do not meet my funding goal, any money I receive will be greatly appreciated and will still go towards the cost of publishing my book. I will send out free books to those who donate over $150, as well as fulfilling other “perks” and will try to make several additional copies to sell in order to offset costs. Thank you for considering this project!
The Impact
In 2022, American Rivers, a non profit environmental advocacy organization named the Colorado River the most endangered river in America. With climate change, unprecedented drought, over-allocation of water supply, and outdated management, the Colorado River is already operating at a deficit. This directly affects citizens, including non-humans in New Mexico, as an Upper Basin state. In 2026, the Colorado River Compact’s current operating guidelines are set to expire. The Bureau of Reclamation published a draft of the amended guidelines in 2024. Soon a period of public comment will be open. My project aims to call attention to this crucial period wherein citizens will be able to participate in a possibly historic shift in how the Colorado River water is conserved and allocated. In addition, my hope is that my book will serve as a conduit to share history, stories, traditions and overlooked intimacies of living with bodies of water. Locally, I want to work with New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (https://www.nmwild.org/rivers-waters/) with the funds from additional sales of my book going directly to support their continued work to ensure river quality, protecting wild lands and threatened species and habit, as well as just resource allocation especially for Indigenous peoples. I am asking for grant assistance because I do not have the resources to publish a book on my own, or host an event, as well as pay for the float trip through the Grand Canyon, travel costs to and from Flagstaff, AZ, outreach, and equipment and materials.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can’t donate money no problem! I’m curious to hear stories from all people about your experiences with water, watersheds and land, periods in your life that you have felt time differently (whatever that means to you) and shared experiences with respect to the outdoors. My hope is to weave in as many of your stories and quotes as possible throughout my book. So in that way you can be a major contributor! Get in touch with me through my email or Instagram. One note however, I will be technology free in April while I am on the river so don’t fret if you don’t hear from me for a minute. Thank you so much!
