As the foliage slowly fires up and simmers in red hues, the art community in Utah once again gathered to celebrate and enjoy the 36th edition of the Springville Museum of Art’s Annual Spiritual and Religious Art Exhibition. The exhibition was launched Wednesday, October 12 in a well-attended opening ceremony. This annual spectacle celebrates the diversity of religious experience and belief in the Utah community. A total of 229 pieces were selected from close to 550 works of art submitted by artists from across the state and from all religious backgrounds depicting a rich and varied portrayal of spiritual themes. The museum’s curating approach has notably widened through recent years to include a broad array of artistic themes, and techniques.

This year’s exhibition was curated by Dr. Rita R. Wright (Director, Springville Museum of Art) and Esther Hi’ilani Candari (Artist/Director of Programming, Writ & Vision Gallery), who was “…particularly impressed with the variety and inclusion with which the submitting artists depicted Christ and the number of works centering powerful female narratives, figures, and symbols.” Notable participants included: First Place Award: Jody Gerber (He Speaks When All is Still); Second Place Award: Whitney Johnson (Partakers of the Gift); Third Place Award: Mary Sauer (May My Soul Commune with Thee); Awards of Merit went to: Eduardo Alvarez, Michael B. Coleman, Stacy Minch, Chelsey Swanson, Terrel Van Leeuwen, Albin Veselka; and Honorable Mentions given to: Gregory L. Abbott, Mary Crabtree, Gisele Da Silva, Rose Datoc Dall, Christian Degn, Vincent Mattina, Steven Newman, Lovetta Reyes-Cairo, Colby Sanford, Christina West, Nathan Williams, and Emily Tidwell Yeung.

This iteration of the exhibition remains true to the SMA’s efforts and commitment to promote, support, and affirm the local art community since 1903.—Eduardo Alvarez (36th Annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah continues through January 11, 2023.)