New art exhibit in SLC features female Latter-day Saint artists

SALT LAKE CITY — A new art exhibit exclusively features the works of Latter-day Saint women artists, making a statement about the Divine Feminine.

From their faith and their hearts come creations of 130 Latter-day Saint women artists that reflect a unique spiritual concept.

Three curators brought these artists together in an international show — their third triennial exhibition titled “Certain Women.”

The phrase is taken from the scriptures.

Nicole Woodbury said the idea with more than one meaning appealed to them.

“We like that title because it has a double entendre of certainty of knowing the divinity of Christ and also being a certain type of woman,” she said.

A type, they say, who believes in the Feminine Divine.

This year’s theme is “Reflections on A Mother in Heaven.”

Each of the five exhibition rooms has a different approach — there are portraits of Heavenly Mother, art showing creation and motherhood, partnership and reflections on womanhood.

Laura Erekson Atkinson explained their concept of a Heavenly Mother.

“By celebrating Her, that’s not excluding Heavenly Father, that’s not excluding Jesus Christ, but it’s expanding. We’re expanding our love, expanding our understanding and knowledge of who we are, where we come from and who we can become,” she said.

The show is more than about the creation of art. They said it’s also about a sisterhood.

Mary Brickey shares their vision.

“We want to support each other and we are excited for each other’s successes and each other’s growth, and we just love to do it together,” she said.

Esther Hi’ilani Candari created the piece titled, “She Who Shall Become.”

She studied the role of women of faith anciently.

“You see women playing a powerful and central role in these religious structures, in these social structures, and that’s been lost over time, and so, by bringing that back in, it helps us to see eternal truths that have been obscured by human folly,” said Candari.

Rose Datoc Dall created the piece titled “The Veil is Beginning to Burst.”

“Women’s voices are represented when woman artists are using their voices,” she said. “It feels good to have somebody speak up for you or that is like you and can represent you.”

Every time they exhibit, the artists do a collaborative piece, each one contributed to this table.

“Referencing the unity of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother being one,” Woodbury explained. “The idea of a dinner table being representative of where a family gathers and how we, together, are to be one with them.”

The “Certain Women: Reflections on A Mother in Heaven” art show is at Anthony’s Fine Art and Antiques, located at 401 East and 200 South, in downtown Salt Lake City.

The exhibit runs through Nov. 13 and is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.