Artists Paddle 350 Miles Up Erie Canal in 'Mule's Passage'
On August 7, 2026, Z Behl and Kim Moloney, known together as BALONEY STEEL, kicked off their 'Mule's Passage' journey in Waterford, New York. They’re navigating a mule-themed canoe for 350 miles (563 km) to Buffalo, aiming to finish by September 5, 2026. Through this project, they explore the female form as a historical storyteller and a force in industry, honoring the hidden work behind the Erie Canal's towpath. Each day, they paddle for six hours and camp, traveling through six counties tied to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. They’re connecting with ecologists, historians, and locals to discuss the canal's environmental impact. The launch included remarks from Judy Tate and traditional canal songs sung by elders. This initiative is supported by the Erie Canal Museum’s Artist-in-Residence program and others. An exhibition of their work is set for spring 2027 at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse.
Key facts
- Artists Z Behl and Kim Moloney (BALONEY STEEL) launched 'Mule's Passage' on August 7, 2026, from Waterford, NY.
- The expedition covers 350 miles (563 km) along the Erie Canal to Buffalo.
- The journey ends on September 5, 2026.
- The canoe is decorated like a mule to honor the labor of towpath workers.
- The project reimagines the woman's body as an engine of industry and narrator of history.
- The artists paddle six hours daily and camp for five weeks.
- The route passes through six territories of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
- The project highlights the Erie Canal's role in Indigenous displacement.
- Interviews with ecologists, historians, activists, and residents are part of the project.
- Playwright Judy Tate, founder of the American Slavery Project, performed a spoken-word piece at the launch.
- Support comes from the Erie Canal Museum Artist-in-Residence program and the New York State Canal Corporation.
- Sponsors include Bixpy (solar-charging electric motor) and Camp Chow (dehydrated meals).
- The Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse will host an exhibition of documentation in spring 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Z Behl
- Kim Moloney
- Judy Tate
Institutions
- BALONEY STEEL
- American Slavery Project
- Erie Canal Museum
- New York State Canal Corporation
- Bixpy
- Camp Chow
- Everson Museum of Art
Locations
- Waterford
- New York
- Buffalo
- Syracuse
- United States