By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

Coming to the special exhibits section of the Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum is the first solo exhibition by artist Anna Evans titled “Mutualism.” Blending abstract fiber and mixed media, “Mutualism” opens on Saturday, April 12, with an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Evans, along with Head of Exhibits at the Prehistoric Museum Christopher Henderson, joined the KOAL Newsroom to preview the exhibit and its ties to Castle Country.

“I’ve just always been inclined to do art,” said Evans,” The art that I’m working on for this exhibit is fiber art, and I learned the basics of that from my grandmother, who was a big quilter, and there was a lot of weaving in my family … I feel very inspired by the beauty of this place and the traditions in my family of fiber art, which have always been my driving force.”

Speaking on the inspiration for the exhibition, Evans shared,” I get a lot of my inspiration from the landscape of this region. I’m originally from Western Colorado, so very much the same as Carbon County. I’m really interested in the ecosystems that are here, the plants and animals. That’s what inspired everything.”

Evans takes a unique approach to her art by emphasizing sustainability. The artist explains,” My process is very involved. I grow all the plants I use to dye all the fiber, and I get wool from local farmers that I clean myself, process myself and then dye with the plants I grow. So, I think just having my hands in every part of the process shapes where I’m going.” She added,” I’m a big outdoor enthusiast, and I just want to preserve our beautiful country. And I have a little agricultural plot in Spring Glen that I try to take care of and do water-wise stuff.”

Looking from the perspective of the museum, Henderson spoke on what intrigued the museum about Evans’ art: “Her work really has a lot in common with the mission of our museum. We try to be as ecologically responsible as possible to preserve the environment where we find the fossils and artifacts that make up our collection.” Henderson continued,” In addition, we see ourselves as one of the first places people stop on their adventures into the larger Colorado Plateau region. And we’re excited to give people a little different perspective on the plants and wildlife they might encounter there.”

Speaking on a personal level, Henderson shared that the exhibit ” is a different kind of exhibit than we have hosted in the past. It’s a specific installation for our space. It’s created specifically for our space. It’s taken months to create, and it’s unique work that I think the public will be very interested in.”

In closing, Evans said,” I just hope you visit my artwork. The exhibit will be open until the end of October.”

“Mutualism” will hold its grand opening on Saturday, April 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.