FAIRVIEW — The Fairview Museum of History and Art is proud to unveil its latest Rotating Artists Exhibit, featuring the inspiring works of two accomplished local artists: landscape photographer Jon Hafen and painter Laura Hafen Johansen. The exhibit will open with a special public Open House on Friday, June 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, located at 85 N. 100 East in Fairview. All are welcome to attend.

The exhibit will remain on display through Friday, Aug. 22, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the deeply personal and place-rooted works of these two artists, both with strong ties to Sanpete County.

A painter of memory and emotion

Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Laura Hafen Johansen now resides in northern Utah, where she shares her love for the arts as a visual art educator with the Cache County School District through the Beverly Taylor Sorensen Arts Learning Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art and education from Utah State University.

Laura’s paintings are steeped in personal meaning and emotion. Her creative process often begins with a memory or a vivid image–something worth holding onto. She is especially drawn to how color and light can evoke feeling in a way that words sometimes cannot. Her works invite viewers to pause and reflect, to feel something deeper.

“Each painting is a small act of courage,” she says. “It’s about being honest and unguarded enough to share a personal piece of yourself.” Visitors to the exhibit will no doubt be moved by her expressive brushwork and evocative compositions.

Capturing the soul of Sanpete County

Also a Mount Pleasant native, Jon Hafen is a self-taught landscape photographer who continues to live and work in the area. Jon’s work is a celebration of the natural beauty and quiet charm of Sanpete Valley–its fields, mountains, and open skies. He credits his father and childhood adventures on the farm as the source of his love for the land and the inspiration behind his lens.

What began as a hobby to decompress from daily life soon became a thriving side business. Jon’s photography, known for its authenticity and rich sense of place, has been featured in books and outdoor publications. In 2024, he earned national recognition when he won first place in the Landscape Photography category of the Tamron National Photo Contest, standing out among entries from across North America.

Today, Jon’s work hangs in homes and businesses throughout the United States and Canada. His photographs resonate not only for their technical quality, but for their deep emotional connection to the land.

A unique exhibit for summer visitors

The Fairview Museum’s Rotating Artists Exhibit is a highlight for summer visitors and locals alike. This year’s featured artists bring a unique blend of heartfelt narrative and visual beauty to the space, rooted in the landscapes and lives of Sanpete County.

Museum staff invite the community to attend the June 6 open house to meet the artists and enjoy an evening of art, conversation, and local talent. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served.

The exhibit will be open to the public during regular museum hours through Aug. 22.

For more information, visit www.fairviewmuseum.org or call (435) 427-9216.