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An art exhibition showcasing faith through diverse media and cultures has commenced at the Church History Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. The display, open from April 24, 2025, to January 3, 2026, features works from the 13th International Art Competition.
This year's theme, “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down”, is inspired by Doctrine and Covenants 81:5. From the numerous submissions, five jurors selected 150 pieces for display, representing artists from various countries including Angola, Canada, Korea, and the United Kingdom. Artworks encompass a range of media, from sculpture to ceramic.
Art curator Laura Paulsen Howe commented, “A different style of art is like a different language. The 13th International Art Competition will showcase creators speaking many artistic languages and sharing their thoughts on what it means to lift up the hands that hang down.” Howe hopes the event will inspire high-quality art and highlight the diversity of Latter-day Saint cultural production.
Recurring themes in the exhibition emphasize the beauty in helping others and the uplifting nature of service. These themes, while not exhaustive, underscore the universal message of support and compassion emphasized in the artworks.
The exhibition is also accessible online, allowing viewers to vote for their favorite pieces until November 30, 2025. Top artists will receive a Visitors’ Choice Award based on public votes.
An awards ceremony for distinguished artists is scheduled for April 24 at the Conference Center Theater on Temple Square, with a public reception at the museum afterward. For artists aiming to join next year's competition, the proposed theme is “Enlarge the Memory of the People.” Howe invites participants to consider the impact of art on personal and communal remembrance.
The Church History Museum is located on the west side of Salt Lake City's Temple Square, housing artifacts from different eras of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and featuring works by artists from 1830 to the present. The museum operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Friday, and Saturday, and extends its hours on Tuesday through Thursday, closing at 8 p.m.
Entries from the 13th International Art Competition, themed “Lift up the Hands Which Hang Down” are on display at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah, from April 24, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
