This Earth: Notes and Observations by Montello Foundation Artists

Thirty-seven artists, all former residents of The Montello Foundation, have been invited to share works inspired by their time in the deserts of Nevada and Utah. Curated by Stefan Hagen, founder and director of The Montello Foundation, and Hikmet Sidney Loe, art historian and author of The Spiral Jetty Encyclo, This Earth is the first group show composed of artists-in-residence from the foundation. The exhibition guides visitors into thinking about their relationship with nature through the use of four themes—Observing Nature, In Dialog with Nature, Human Interactions with Nature and Preserving Nature.

The overarching theme of nature is a reflection of The Montello Foundation and its mission statement: “dedicated to support artists who foster our understanding of nature, its fragility and our need to protect it.”

“I am thrilled for SUMA to showcase this collective of works from Montello Foundation artists,” said Jessica Kinsey, executive director of SUMA. “With many residency programs, the public or community does not see the results of a participating artist, and we wanted to change that. Cedar City is on the cusp of the Great Basin, and this exhibition provides an opportunity to our community to see what is happening in our region by bringing the intersection of nature and humanity to the gallery space.”

Each year, since 2015, international artists apply to the foundation to participate in a solitary retreat to experience the vastness of the region’s deserts. The artists featured in this exhibition are: Lee Arnold, Tyler Beard, Cynthia Brinich-Langlois, bug carlson + Watergrass, Elisabeth Condon, Kevin Cooley, Blane De St. Croix, Ryan Dewey, Nina Elder, Ash Ferlito, Kirsten Furlong, Dylan Gauthier, Markus Guschelbauer, Matthew Hamon, Nicole Jean Hill, Fred Holcomb, Michael Dax Iacovone, James Kao, Laurie Lambrecht, SaraNoa Mark, Summer McCorkle,  Evie McKenna, Sara Morawetz, Nathaniel I. Ober, Eleanor Ray, Brie Ruais, Diana Shpungin, Lauren Strohacker with Kendra Sollars, Miho Suzuki, John Thayer, Lea Thomas, Lea Titz, Martha Tuttle, Patricia Watwood, Letha Wilson, Cedra Wood.

In celebration of the exhibition, the community is invited to the opening reception on Friday, October 15 from 6-8 p.m. where they can meet the curators and select artists. Throughout the duration of the exhibition, SUMA is hosting various events for all audiences. A full list of events and related programs can be found on SUMA’s events calendar.

More information about the exhibition can be found on SUMA’s website at www.suu.edu/suma. Admission to the museum is free and open to the public thanks to Cedar City RAP Tax, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and Zions Bank.