A floating tribute to the water deity Mami Wata (pidgin English for “Mother Water”) set sail on Lake Mendota on Saturday to kick off the upcoming Chazen Museum of Art’s “Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas.”
Local artists and art organizations painted sails for the regatta, which was organized with help from Hoofer Sailing Club. A parade of lighted boats wrapped up the event.