The “Hole in the Rock Saints” exhibit is officially open in the Jacob Spori Art Gallery at BYU-Idaho.
This exhibit features oil paintings that depict the struggles of early Latter-day Saint settlers of Southeastern Utah who traveled to Utah through the “Hole in the Rock” route.
Five artists collaborated on this exhibit and helped create more than 100 pieces which can be seen on display.
Josh Clare, David Dibble, Michael Malm, Grant Redden and Albin Veselka all collaborated on the exhibit, which was initially Clare’s idea.
Clare is a BYU-Idaho alumnus. He felt inspired to reach out to the other artists to help him tell the story of the Hole in the Rock saints. He wanted to be able to show the faith and determination that these early saints had. He wanted people to be able to walk away with the knowledge what they went through and why they were willing to follow a prophet’s call.
“Most simply stated, God speaks to prophets and when we follow with faith, then we’re happy,” Clare said. “And that’s what these guys did. When you follow with faith you are able to do some seemingly impossible things.”
Albin Veselka is also a BYU-Idaho alumnus. One of his paintings depicts Arabella Smith. In the painting he shows her trying to slow down her wagon and mules as they walked down a steep hill.
“She sacrificed so much in that one situation,” Veselka said. “I know she had to have been prepared through her life for that opportunity, or to take that opportunity to put herself at such risk and face something so scary.”
This painting and more are on display in the free art exhibit that will be open until June 8.
The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information on this exhibit you can look here.