Zion Art Podcast

Laura Allred Hurtado | The Church History Museum

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In this first interview of our newest series, we speak with Laura Hurtado, Global Acquisitions Curator of the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. We discuss the recent call for entries to the 11th International LDS Art Competition, to be exhibited next year. We also touch on some of the details behind the jurying process, the acquisitions process, and what goes into a curated exhibit in the Museum. 

For more information on the 11th International Art Competition, Click Here.

In our new series, we hope to speak with those artists, collectors, scholars and curators at the center of Mormon Visual Culture, both today and in the future. If there is someone you think we should interview, in this series. Please reach out to us by commenting below. 

An Interview with the Artist Dennis Smith

A conversation with sculptor and painter Dennis Smith, Co-Founder of the Mormon Art & Belief Movement, whose monumental works depicting children, families, and historical figures can be found throughout Europe, the US and at significant Church site.

Learn more about Dennis Smith at SmithSculpture.com

Late Christmas Eve (2017) by Dennis Smith. 16 x 20 in. Oil on Panel. 

Late Christmas Eve (2017) by Dennis Smith. 16 x 20 in. Oil on Panel. 

In Her Mother's Footsteps by Dennis Smith. Bronze. 

In Her Mother's Footsteps by Dennis Smith. Bronze. 

Ensign Magazine (Nov. 2017) featuring In Her Mother's Footsteps by Dennis Smith

Ensign Magazine (Nov. 2017) featuring In Her Mother's Footsteps by Dennis Smith

An Interview with former Senior Curator, Richard Oman

This episode marks a new chapter in Mormon Visual Culture. As we close 2017 and our celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Gospel Vision of the Arts, we turn our focus to other critical aspects of the LDS art community and culture. In this extended episode we sit down with Richard Oman, longtime curator at the Church Museum of History and Art. This discussion is wide ranging and dives into the question of the role of art in the Church and the role of the Church in art. 

An Interview with the Artist Gary Ernest Smith

I this special episode, Micah Christensen sits down with the renowned artist Gary Ernest Smith to discuss the Art & Belief movement that Smith was instrumental in organizing in the 1960s. Held as a live interview and Q&A during the final night of the 2017 Zion Art Invitational, the interview dives into Smith's work and where LDS art has come in the last half-century. 

The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith by Gary Ernest Smith. Oil on Linen. 20 x 30 in. Collection of the Artist.

The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith by Gary Ernest Smith. Oil on Linen. 20 x 30 in. Collection of the Artist.

Note: Please excuse the audio quality on this particular podcast, it was recorded remotely in front of a live audience. 

Dr. Vern Swanson on LDS Art

A long-anticipated masterclass from Dr. Vern Swanson, author, museum director, educator, etc. sits down with us to discuss the trajectory of LDS art from his personal experience dating from 1965 until now. He discusses several important paintings in the history or LDS art up until work that is being done today and he shares several insightful stories of where we have come from as an arts community. 

Nativity (2010) by Brian Kershisnik. 89 x 204 in.Collection of BYU Museum of Art.

Nativity (2010) by Brian Kershisnik. 89 x 204 in.Collection of BYU Museum of Art.

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs by J. Kirk Richards. 

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs by J. Kirk Richards. 

Unto Us by Walter Rane. 35 x 35 in. Oil on Canvas. 

Unto Us by Walter Rane. 35 x 35 in. Oil on Canvas. 

MVC LIVE: An Interview with Walter Rane

Breath of Life by Walter Rane. Oil on Canvas. 48 x 28 in. From the Zion Art Invitational.

Breath of Life by Walter Rane. Oil on Canvas. 48 x 28 in. From the Zion Art Invitational.

A special opportunity sit down, live podcast and Q&A with the renowned artist Walter Rane. One of the most recognizable LDS artists of our day, Walter Rane has inspired countless artists and has dozens of works featured in Church collections. This was recorded at the Historic Immanuel Church in Salt Lake City on September 16, 2016 in front of a live audience. 

 

Artist Colby Sanford on Bruce Hixson Smith

We sit down with Colby Sanford to discuss a very, aesthetically different piece by Bruce Hixson Smith titled Jacob & Leah, now on view at the BYU Museum of Art in the Interpretation Thereof Exhibition. Sanford also discusses his background, training in ceramics, life in China, and the only four colors that matter. 

Jacob & Leah by Bruce Hixson Smith. On View at BYU Museum of Art. Courtesy of the Artist. 

Jacob & Leah by Bruce Hixson Smith. On View at BYU Museum of Art. Courtesy of the Artist. 

4th Annual Backyard Show featuring works from Colby A. Sanford

Saturday, September 16, 6-8 pm

1675 Oak Lane, Provo

Cris Baird on his Collection of Contemporary LDS Art

For the first time, we sit down with a collector to get a new perspective on the state of LDS art and what it means to those who come to own those works. Cris owns several works, most notably a work by Brian Kershisnik on display at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Learn more of what it means to be a collector and how to get started buying LDS art. 

She Will Find What Is Lost by Brian Kershisnik. Collection of Cris Baird. 

She Will Find What Is Lost by Brian Kershisnik. Collection of Cris Baird. 

Lazaros, (α 8.5h 22.5m 20.02045s / δ -14.5° 0′ 14.059″), 2015, airbrushed acrylic on canvas, 74 x 111 in. Collection of Cris Baird. 

Lazaros, (α 8.5h 22.5m 20.02045s / δ -14.5° 0′ 14.059″), 2015, airbrushed acrylic on canvas, 74 x 111 in. Collection of Cris Baird.