UMFA’s upcoming exhibit, The International Tolerance Project: Promoting Dialogue Through Design, is yet another fascinating display of art’s ability to catalyze meaningful change. A traveling poster exhibition, the collection consists of work from artists the world over, all centered around the theme of tolerance. With political and social turbulence running rampant around the globe, the show’s creator, Mirko Illić, feels that the exhibit offers a pathway in the right direction. For him, tolerance is “the bare minimum emotion of civil behavior which we can ask for,” and, consequently, both Illić and the participating artists see this collection as a foundation from which to work towards more exalted ideals like acceptance and compassion.

And, as much as Tolerance is a global affair, the show’s opening in SLC later this month also marks a couple of local events that are well worth getting excited about. A roundtable to discuss effective ways of promoting the exhibit’s ideals in local communities is slated for the night of the 22nd, and Illić himself will be speaking at the UMFA the following night of the 23rd to mark the official opening of the exhibit (a candle vigil in the name of tolerance will be held at the Salt Lake City Public Library shortly following the conclusion of Illić’s presentation). Community-wise, a selection of the works will be displayed in The Blocks (those cool, mini billboards displaying art along 300 S), and you can see them all at the Plakat Walk, also on January 23rd.  

We think The International Tolerance Project serves as a needed reminder that, while the world appears to be in a semi-permanent state of turbulence and upheaval as of late, there are still a few folks fighting against ignorance and championing perhaps the worthiest of causes: loving thy neighbor. 

And that's a beautiful thing...

More info on dates, times, and additional events can be found here.