Women of the Old Testament (Karyna Howell)
In our women in the scriptures class, we analyzed scriptures looking specifically for evidence of our Heavenly Parent’s immense love for all their daughters. Though not immediately obvious, we learned how God valued these Biblical women’s strengths and experiences. In the creation of this piece of art, I got to know these women more intimately as I pondered how I wanted to portray them and how our Heavenly Parents view them. In the painting, there are 37 women, one for each woman in the Old Testament, gathered around, supporting each other. I listed their names underneath so we can all recognize these women’s stories and lives, and acknowledge that these women’s joys, traumas, and lives are much bigger than the stories that have been told about them.
Mother of Humanity (Neve Callaway)
I was frustrated with the way Eve was shown to me growing up: as a blonde white woman. I decided to go back to the beginning, where the first humans came from: Africa. I wanted to portray her with a darker skin tone in hopes of going against the stigma that dark skin is inferior. I did this to highlight its less appreciated beauty and provide more representation in church artwork. I hope that darker skin tones can be celebrated more often to make everyone feel comfortable with themselves and their God-created bodies. I also incorporated texture on her skin that is inspired by African scarification practices that date back to 8000 B.C. to connect Eve with cultural elements from her area. Eve is the epitome of womanhood and femininity—the first woman. I also wanted to give hershort hair in order to show that femininity does not depend on modern societal beauty standards. I also incorporated lots of yellow flowers and highlights to show how radiant and holy the woman is from whom we all descended. The flowers echo femininity and the Garden of Eden. I do not claim to know what Eve looks like or from exactly which culture she comes from. As I scoured the Book of Mormon studying her appearances, no concrete details were given. However, I think that my portrayal of her is more inclusive and based on more accurate historical information than the blonde portraits of the mother of humanity.As I came to appreciate and highlight the contributions of this ancient women to the gospel’s growth, I was able to identify the same importance in modern women. I will be able to serve fellow women in the church by giving them recognition for their accomplishments. I hope that through acknowledging the crucial importance of women in the church, little by little we will be able to move forward with a more inclusive and Christlike church culture.
Multi-Layer Nativity (Tanya Gale)
During the creation of my multi-layer nativity piece, I was able to delve deeper into each of the individual portions of the nativity story. Some of the elements of my learning include the use of a stone building and stone manger which were more likely to have been used during the time of Christ as wood in that region is scarce. The lambs in the shelter are representative of Christ's role as the lamb of God and the Good Shepherd. The donkey is foreshadowing Christ's triumphal ride into Jerusalem on a donkey and being recognized as the King of the Jews. The three crosses on the hill in the background also foreshadow the crucifixion of Christ. The differing colors of ground from the shepherds and the wise men show the different groups of individuals that Christ would preach to, such as the Jews and Gentiles. Throughout the semester of taking Christ and the Everlasting Gospel while simultaneously working on this piece, I was able to better internalize the impact that Christ's life had on those around Him during His time as well as in my own life today. Working on the design allowed me a greater opportunity to disconnect from the things of the world and refocus on what matters most. While working on the piece I would put on uplifting music that further helped me focus on Christ, His role to all humanity, and His role in my own life.
Atonement (Kyle Hess)
In the culminating moments of the crucifixion Jesus Christ carried out the most painful moments of his atonement. He suffered for the entire human family, regardless of religion, skin color, political opinion, sexual orientation, economic status, education level, or language. In turn all He asks [of us] is to do what He himself did his entire life: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . , and love thy neighbor as thyself”[Matt. 22:37–39].I decided to paint the image of Christ suffering on the cross in several different colors to highlight the eternal truth that no matter what color our skin is, Christ suffered equally for us and loves us how we are.
"The Ten Virgins" (Sarah Lawrence)
I thought about how in the Story of the Ten Virgins, the Savior really is the focus of the story. So I drew his outline to reflect that. We see a lot of images about the women, which is what the story literally is about. But the focus is on the Savior. I made His halo the same color as the light coming from their lamps, because He is at the center of our class and the gospel. I wanted [this] image to focus on how the Savior is at the center of [it]. He wants us to be one with Him, and to me this image reflects that.
Revelation (Rachel Linford Boss)
The painting shows a woman kneeling in prayer, bent over with her face toward the floor. There is light pouring over her from heaven, unnoticed by the woman, but ever present. At times, I feel that I experience prayer in a similar way. In times of trial I pour out my soul to my Heavenly Father and I sometimes cannot see the light he freely gives to me, yet it’s there. This painting represents my testimony of revelation, that God does speak to his children and fills them with light. The Book of Mormon is full of this same light I attempted to depict in this painting. For my Teachings and Doctrines of the Book of Mormon class, we were challenged to work on a project for a short amount of time each week throughout the semester, a project that brought us closer to the Savior and grew our testimonies of Him. As I sketched in preparation for the painting, I started by sketching a woman sitting down, dejected, with the Savior standing behind or kneeling in front of her. But as I sketched, something about it just didn’t click. While I know that the Savior cares and looks on me with compassion when I’m dejected, I have never seen him kneeling in front of me, or felt his hand on my shoulder. While I have also never seen a pillar of light over my body, I’ve felt the warmth this light brings, and I know God does pour out light to me and any other who chooses to pray in faith or read his word.
Redemption (Yihong Ni)
This project is based on my understanding of Jesus Christ and his story. It began with an aesthetic idea about the combination of sorrow and immaculate. I’m not a member of a church and barely knew anything about Jesus, but along with the class, I began to see both humanity and divinity in him. How he wept and endured and hurt with the mankind he cared, and how he kept forward and still believed and bleed silently.
A Woman's Touch (Emily Pace)
Demonstrated is the 12-year progression of the woman with an issue of blood in which she changed from seeking the physicians of the world (to which she lost everything) to seeking the physician who is Christ (through which she gained everything). Depicted is a moment of peace amidst the chaos and struggle of her condition. Despite frantic desperation, she has found God and become certain in her faith. This provides the confidence needed later needed to approach Jesus—despite being “unclean.” This healing story is unique. While Christ is vital to the story, He did not consciously perform the healing. The woman is the central actor in her story. She is the one who sought Christ. As she changes spiritually to come closer to God, she gets physically closer to Christ until the moment of healing has come. After she is healed, Jesus is just starting to turn around, asking “Who touched me?” Ancient Israelite purity laws are used to frame this story, as they are the parameters in which she lives her life. Following them may have been an act of faith this woman believes is protecting Israel from the wrath of God. Scriptures from Mark 5 are used, as everything in her life was leading up to the moment with which she would have an interaction with the living Christ. This story is an example of the power of a woman of faith. It testifies to me that coming unto Christ isn't something we do once we are "clean" or free of shame or are accepted by those in fold. When we are "unclean" may be when we need Him most. It's a personal journey and can happen whenever we choose to exercise our faith. Christ is the only way to true healing.
Spirituality #2 (Aïsha Lehmann)
The fresco panels I made relate to the first lecture we had in class on the three worlds of scripture—“behind,” “of,” and “in front of”—and how each is necessary in understanding principles and doctrines. Similarly, these panels depict the difference between scriptural texts being studied at face value versus being interpreted. Each image has the same chair in the background, one that to me represented the church as a foundation in my life. Although certain teachings of church leaders throughout the ages as well as lessons learned in church on a Sunday may help one develop a solid foundation, I realize that dependence and focus on this structure alone is not one that will sustain me. Instead, it is the precious truths found in the scriptures and fundamental doctrines that will best perpetuate faith. This course study also delved deep into historical context, grammar structures, more accurate translations, and other facts about the scriptural texts that I had never before known and completely changed my perspective on seemingly “commonplace” verses. This aspect of the course also influenced the last panel and this idea of not only holding on to pure doctrines, but taking time to study it deliberately, sincerely, and more deeply, humbly recognizing that there are infinite truths and lessons that can be uncovered in our scriptures.
Spirituality #1 (Aïsha Lehmann)
The fresco panels I made relate to the first lecture we had in class on the three worlds of scripture—“behind,” “of,” and “in front of”—and how each is necessary in understanding principles and doctrines. Similarly, these panels depict the difference between scriptural texts being studied at face value versus being interpreted. Each image has the same chair in the background, one that to me represented the church as a foundation in my life. Although certain teachings of church leaders throughout the ages as well as lessons learned in church on a Sunday may help one develop a solid foundation, I realize that dependence and focus on this structure alone is not one that will sustain me. Instead, it is the precious truths found in the scriptures and fundamental doctrines that will best perpetuate faith. This course study also delved deep into historical context, grammar structures, more accurate translations, and other facts about the scriptural texts that I had never before known and completely changed my perspective on seemingly “commonplace” verses. This aspect of the course also influenced the last panel and this idea of not only holding on to pure doctrines, but taking time to study it deliberately, sincerely, and more deeply, humbly recognizing that there are infinite truths and lessons that can be uncovered in our scriptures.
Spirituality #3 (Aïsha Lehmann)
The fresco panels I made relate to the first lecture we had in class on the three worlds of scripture—“behind,” “of,” and “in front of”—and how each is necessary in understanding principles and doctrines. Similarly, these panels depict the difference between scriptural texts being studied at face value versus being interpreted. Each image has the same chair in the background, one that to me represented the church as a foundation in my life. Although certain teachings of church leaders throughout the ages as well as lessons learned in church on a Sunday may help one develop a solid foundation, I realize that dependence and focus on this structure alone is not one that will sustain me. Instead, it is the precious truths found in the scriptures and fundamental doctrines that will best perpetuate faith. This course study also delved deep into historical context, grammar structures, more accurate translations, and other facts about the scriptural texts that I had never before known and completely changed my perspective on seemingly “commonplace” verses. This aspect of the course also influenced the last panel and this idea of not only holding on to pure doctrines, but taking time to study it deliberately, sincerely, and more deeply, humbly recognizing that there are infinite truths and lessons that can be uncovered in our scriptures.