In the Capitol Gallery: Threads of the Silk Road

The history of the Silk Road is filled with legendary explorers, wandering armies, pilgrims, spies, merchants, and mercenaries. Its vast 7000-mile network of trade routes from China to the Mediterranean existed for almost 2000 years, connecting the Far East to Europe. This collection of evocative photographs by Edgar Gomez-Palmieri, along with a selection of hats and headdresses, depicts surviving remnants of this great ancient highway and descendants of the historic peoples along its route.

About the Artist

Edgar Gomez-Palmieri worked in Asia as the director of international outreach for the Utah-based Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation. During his travels, he took thousands of photographs along the ancient caravan paths known as the Silk Road, from China through the Near East to Europe.

This exhibit is supported in part by Zions First National Bank, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. Now through December 20, 2012, on the fourth floor of the Capitol. Admission is free. Visit our website or call 801-538-1800 for more details.

Martha Hughes Cannon: First female senator in U.S.

News reports from yesterday’s election indicate that a record number of women will be serving in the U.S. Senate in 2013. But did you know that one of the first U.S. political barriers to be broken by a woman happened right here in Utah?

In 1896, Martha Hughes Cannon was the first women to be elected to a state senate seat in the United States. Born in Wales in 1857, “Mattie” came to Salt Lake with her family in 1861. Mattie had great ambition and determination, working as a schoolteacher and typesetter in order to earn money for college. She received a degree in chemistry from the University of Deseret in 1875, and she went on to attend medical school at the University of Michigan. In 1882, she received a degree in pharmacy from the Auxiliary School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. She also studied oratory, with the goal of becoming a strong public speaker on issues of health.

Mattie returned to Salt Lake City after graduation, where she worked as a resident physician of Deseret Hospital. Mattie was also actively involved in local politics, particularly on the issues of public health and women’s suffrage. In 1896, the same year Utah attained statehood, Mattie ran for state senate on the Democratic ticket. She was one of five Democrats running from Salt Lake County; her husband, Angus M. Cannon, was among the Republicans running for the same seat. Mattie won the election on Nov. 3, 1896, and she served two terms as a strong advocate for children’s welfare and public health.

For more information on Mattie’s fascinating life, please visit Utah History to Go and KUED.

Happy Halloween! Ancient critters at the Capitol

Halloween is a holiday full of mythical creatures and ancient symbols, from greedy ghouls to flame-lit gourds. But did you know that the Capitol has some of its own mythical creatures and ancient symbols?

The head of a ram adorns light fixtures throughout the Capitol, symbolizing solar energy and fire. Rams were valuable sacrificial animals in ancient times. When used classical architecture, they represent determination, leadership, and authority - fitting for a government building!

Can you spot the oval shapes underneath the light? This classical molding pattern consists of alternating eggs and darts, perhaps to symbolize the duality of life and death. Eggs are ancient symbols of new life, luck, and health; darts can be quite lethal.

Kids love finding the eight wyverns that crouch in the corners of the Capitol atrium. In medieval heraldry, a wyvern was a guardian figure with magic powers of protection for warriors serving a powerful lord in battle. The Capitol wyverns are fierce two-legged dragons with serpent tails and bright orange wings.

And check out the egg-and-dart molding underneath the wyvern!

Some scholars say that Halloween has roots in ancient Celtic harvest festivals. The pine cones shown above are ancient symbols of agricultural growth and bounty of the earth. In the architectural style of the Capitol, the pine cone stands for spring and rebirth.

While all of those symbols were purposefully included in the Capitol architecture, some appeared quite by accident. On the second floor, large panels of diamond-cut Georgia marble boast beautiful symmetrical patterns. These patterns are nothing more than the natural swirls and veins that develop during rock formation, but some people like to look for pictures in the marble.

Do you see anything peculiar in the marble pattern, above?

Photos taken by Joanna Oldham, Director of Visitors Services. Blog post inspired by Romy Mahyera, Capitol Docent.

See Utah landscapes all year with a 2013 calendar

The days in Utah are getting chilly and, believe it or not, 2012 is reaching its end. Even though digital calendars make the transition to a new year seamless, I still love printed calendars. Brilliant calendar photography can brighten up any home or office wall, and flipping the page each month (to a new, gorgeous photo) feels like a fresh start.

The 2013 edition of the Utah Life Elevated® Scenic Calendar is no exception. A colorful photo of Thor’s Hammer at Bryce Canyon National Park, taken by photographer Ed Riche, graces the cover. Nearly 80 images appear throughout the calendar, including all five national parks, national forests and recreation areas, many of Utah’s state parks, ski resorts, metropolitan attractions, annual events, and various outdoor activities.

Both professional and amateur photographers contributed to the calendar, and most of the production work was done "in-house" by the Utah Office of Tourism. 

Now in its 41st year, the Utah Scenic Calendar is recognized annually for design and photography by the National and World Calendar Awards competition. The 2012 and 2011 editions were honored with 13 awards in the competition, including a Gold Award for Best Graphic Design.

The gorgeous calendar is a great gift for clients, family, and friends - or a simple treat for yourself! Calendars are sold at Council Hall, and online at www.uotstore.com. 

If you have questions, please contact the Utah Office of Tourism at (801) 538-1900 or visit www.visitutah.com.

Utah Voter Education & Outreach Campaign

Yesterday was National Voter Registration Day, and with Election Day just 41 days away, the Utah Lt. Governor's Office launched its mass media campaign to encourage all eligible Utahns to register to vote and become informed voters.

"More than ever before, Utah voters have robust resources to educate themselves about candidates and issues on the 2012 ballot, as well as many options to cast their ballots," said Lt. Governor Greg Bell.

"We want to ensure that all eligible Utahns are able to participate as well-informed voters."

The Lt. Governor's Office operates vote.utah.gov, the state's premier source for election-related information. Utahns who visit the site can register to vote, view and update their registration information, request an absentee ballot, find their polling place, research candidates and issues, review a personalized sample ballot, see Early Voting locations and times in their county, and more.

Building on the momentum of its previous award-winning outreach campaign, the Lt. Governor's Office is utilizing a series of dynamic television, radio, and online ads, as well as billboards, to encourage Utahns to visit vote.utah.gov. Created by Salt Lake-based Love Communications, the campaign shows how anyone can be a "hero" by educating himself or herself about the 2012 election.

Important upcoming dates related to the 2012 election:

• October 9: Deadline to register to vote by-mail
• October 22: Deadline to register in person or online 
• October 23: Early Voting begins 
• November 2: Early Voting ends; last day to request a by-mail ballot
• November 6: General Election Day

Register to vote today!

Sneak Peek: Filmed in Utah

What do Planet of the Apes, Footloose, and Forrest Gump all have in common?

That's right. They were each filmed - either all or in part - in Utah! 

Come check out the new Filmed in Utah exhibit in the Capitol's fourth floor gallery. This unique display celebrates the vibrant history and modern industry of Utah film. Catch a glimpse of Forrest Gump's running shoes, Jack Sparrow's compass, and other film finds.

Exhibit courtesy of the Utah Film Commission. On display now. Admission is free. Visit our website or call 801-538-1800 for hours and details.

Become a Utah State Capitol Tour Guide

The Utah State Capitol Visitors Service program is seeking volunteers to join its dynamic, motivated docent team.

What is a docent?
The word “docent” derives from the Latin word “do oere,” meaning “to teach.” For more than 100 years, docents have been a vital link between the history and collections of public buildings and their visitors.

What does a docent do?
Our docents help visitors learn about the Capitol through guided tours that highlight history, artwork, artifacts, exhibits, and events.

In addition to providing an indispensable service to thousands of Capitol visitors, docents gain the opportunity to meet people from across the U.S. and around the globe. Docents learn the ins and outs of the Capitol community, attending quarterly training workshops and volunteer socials.

Sign me up!
To find out more about volunteering at the Capitol, please call the Visitor Services Center at 801-538-1800 or email us at capitoltours@utah.gov.

In the Capitol Gallery: Dean Fausett drawings of the infamous Major Powell expedition

Art Meets History
On May 24, 1869, ten men in four boats left Green River, Wyoming, to explore one of the last unmapped areas of the United States: the Green and Colorado River systems, and the Grand Canyon. Three months later, six men and two boats came out of the canyon, making their way into history.  

This expedition, led by Major John Wesley Powell, has become one of the most important events of exploration in the West.  Filled with hardships and peril, the expedition accomplished what was perceived to be impossible.

In 1964, the United States Bureau of Reclamation commissioned artist William Dean Fausett (1913-1998) to record the pioneer spirit of Major Powell and the majestic grandeur of the country he explored. Now on view in the Capitol's fourth floor gallery, Fausett's sepia drawings provide a captivating look into the Powell expedition.

About the Artist

Born and raised in Price, Utah, William Dean Fausett (1913-1998) studied at Brigham Young University, New York's Students League, and the Beaux Art Institute of Design.  He painted award-winning murals in the nation’s Capitol building in Washington, D.C., and his works are represented in many of the finest art collections in the country.

Exhibit courtesy of the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. Now through September 18, 2012. Admission is free. Visit our website or call 801-538-1800 for more details.