Museum Opens Seventh International Art Competition: Our Heritage of Faith By Brittany Karford, Church Magazines The Seventh International Art Competition, the newest exhibit at the Museum of Church History and Art, opens Friday, March 24, 2005, unveiling 235 submissions depicting this year's theme: “Our Heritage of Faith.” The interpretation of the theme has yielded a variety of submissions that together portray more than just gospel themes. To curator Robert Davis, they portray pieces of LDS life from around the world. “It's fun to see how people express their lives and their religion,” he said, pointing to a saddle with the Restoration story embossed into its leather. “It's another way to communicate a testimony.” This year's collection features art from 47 different countries, including pieces such as a vibrantly colored quilt by Kazudo K. Covington of Taiwan, and a painting of the Waters of Mormon, by Jorge Coco of Argentina. Brother Davis always enjoys the variety of art the competitions yield. As a judge in all seven competitions and a curator of six of the subsequent exhibits, he knows the members of the Church share in his anticipation. “People look forward to this,” he said. “They enjoy seeing the gospel depicted through the eyes of members.” And of all the art competitions, starting with the first in 1987, he says this one has been described as the best yet, though he himself struggles to choose a favorite show. Ask his favorite piece, he'll list 10. In an office complemented by his own work adorning the walls, he peruses the entries through thumbnail pictures online, the same way he first viewed each one in this year's competition, and ideally the same way they will be made available online in the weeks to come. The entire exhibit is soon to be posted in an online showcase at www.lds.org/museum. “It really draws you in,” Brother Davis says, pausing at The Greatest Gift, a bronze sculpture of a father holding a baby, during a dim-lit tour of the exhibit under construction, days prior to its opening. Even in the dark, one can see how the 235 unique pieces have been combined into a congruent pacing, leading from the creation to Bible and Book of Mormon stories, into the Restoration and Church history, and finishing with more contemporary pieces and the Atonement. The thematic organization progresses through the various artists' vision of “Our Heritage of Faith.” The title piece, capturing that theme, is an oil painting of the Savior by Lynne Millman Weidinger entitled I Feel my Savior's Love. Though they could not afford to honor it with a Purchase Award, the top honor in the competition, Brother Davis hopes the Church will still be able to acquire the portrait. The 15 Purchase Award pieces in the exhibit will now become part of the Church's art collection, selected from more than 900 submissions in all. Twenty-six Merit Award pieces were also selected, for which artists will receive $500 prizes. There are many more submissions Brother Davis wishes they could buy, but under allotted funds, they are limited. Many of these works are still for sale by the individual artists and are often purchased by visitors. The winners will be recognized in an awards ceremony Friday evening, where the theme of the Eighth International Art Competition will also be announced. Brother Davis said it will emphasize the worldwide Church. The exhibit will run March 24 through September 4, 2006. Museum hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. Special gallery tours conducted by volunteer docents are available Monday through Saturday for church, school, and private groups. Tours must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Call 801-240-4615 for reservations.