By Rhonda Maxwell | Sustainability Consultant | Steelcase
What do all of these photos have in common? They were all taken by me last month on the beautiful island of Iceland. Iceland is such a stunning and other-worldly place, I wanted to find a way to bring a piece of Icelandic beauty back home. Since many of my personal and professional interests converge around work in Sustainability, advancing the work of our internal volunteer organization at Steelcase and doing my part to support and enhance Grand Rapids, that led to a collaborative idea that is about to come to fruition in a very real way.
The Steelcase Better Futures Community, which catalyzes collective action to drive progress on Steelcase people and planet commitments, is proud to present a special screening of Time and Water. This award-winning documentary inspired by the work of Icelandic author and environmental advocate Andri Snær Magnason, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sara Dosa and produced by National Geographic.
This event serves as an opportunity to bring our community together around a conversation that is both globally significant and deeply relevant here in West Michigan.
While the film begins with Iceland's glaciers, it ultimately explores universal questions about water, climate, memory, stewardship and what each generation leaves for the next. These themes resonate strongly with our own relationship to Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes, making this a meaningful opportunity to connect global perspectives with local action.
One more reason this film feels so relevant to West Michigan is that our own community is in the midst of reimagining its relationship with water. Through the work to restore the Grand River rapids, Grand Rapids is reconnecting with a defining part of its natural history while creating new opportunities for recreation, ecological health and community gathering. Just as Time and Water asks us to consider what we inherit and what we leave behind, the restoration of the rapids reminds us that caring for our waterways is both an investment in our past and a gift to future generations.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, September 2
Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
5:30 PM — Live Virtual Q&A with author Andri Snær Magnason and director Sara Dosa
6:00 PM — Time and Water film screening
7:30–8:00 PM — Optional "After Hours Discussion," where attendees are invited to stay for an informal community conversation about the film and its relevance to West Michigan.
Admission is free and open to all, including members of the public! We are encouraging advance registration to secure your spot. Attendees will also have the opportunity to make a voluntary donation to a local water-focused nonprofit in lieu of purchasing a ticket. Register for tickets here. Hope to see you there!
About Me
Rhonda Maxwell is a multi-faceted business professional at Steelcase whose work brings together storytelling, sustainability and community engagement. She leads volunteer initiatives that connect people with purpose, is the author of the children's book When Dandelions Dream and recently released her first collection of original song lyrics on the Spotify album My Voice Is in My Hands. Whether through her professional work, volunteer leadership or creative writing, Rhonda is passionate about inspiring meaningful conversations that strengthen communities and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
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