Gathering Light / Beth Krensky

Beth Krensky, a Jewish-American artist renowned for her ability to connect fragments and create cohesive wholes, presents Gathering Light. This exhibition serves as an evocative space to remember the void left by the tragic loss of over 1.5 million children during the Holocaust. Through her artistic practice, Krensky transcends the boundaries between the spiritual and the material, using objects and performative gestures to bridge layers of shared existence.

Drawing inspiration from socio-historical memories, Krensky’s work addresses pressing issues while providing a sanctuary for self-discovery. The exhibition showcases her skill in extracting light from unexpected sources, even darkness. Performance stills and intricately crafted objects encourage contemplation, inviting viewers to confront loss and envision renewal.

Granary Arts curated this exhibition in collaboration with Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries, a joint initiative of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association. The exhibition will be hosted by the Snow College Karen H. Huntsman Library from September 4 to October 11, 2023.

About the Artist:

Beth Krensky, Area Head and Professor of Art Teaching at the University of Utah, holds a deep commitment to community-based art education and art for social change. Her work has been showcased across the United States and globally. Krensky’s exploration of youth-created art for social change has earned her recognition as a Fellow with the Jewish Art Salon in New York City and a finalist for the 16th Arte Laguna Prize.

The More That Is Taken Away / Ben Altman

The More That Is Taken Away, an exhibition by Ben Altman, invites visitors to meditate on the implications of mass violence and the legacy it leaves behind. Altman’s nine-year endeavor to grapple with historical evil unfolds at a site reminiscent of a mass grave, situated behind his rural upstate New York home. This poignant memorial and performance art piece embodies a journey through catastrophe and restoration, an evanescent cycle that captures the essence of historical reflection.

As with the previous exhibition, Granary Arts collaborates with Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries to present The More That Is Taken Away. This educational initiative, a partnership between the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association, will also be featured at the Snow College Karen H. Huntsman Library from September 4 to October 11, 2023.

About the Artist:

Ben Altman, a British-born naturalized U.S. citizen, crafts his art in response to the enduring impact of mass violence on our collective psyche. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards and grants, including a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship and recognition by institutions such as the Houston Center for Photography.

Americans and the Holocaust Exhibition

Alongside these thought-provoking exhibitions, the Americans and the Holocaust exhibition, a creation of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will also be on display at the Snow College Karen H. Huntsman Library. Running from September 4 to October 11, 2023, this traveling exhibition offers a compelling exploration of Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide during the 1930s and 1940s. It challenges assumptions and encourages a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in history.

For more information about these exhibitions and events, please visit www.snow.edu/library.