Up the wood spiral staircase in the Joseph F. Smith Building, the Education in Zion exhibit has a peaceful and quiet environment for students to learn and to study about the importance of education.
There’s a new energy and a new zest that comes with learning something new. Deciding what to do with the knowledge is what the Education in Zion exhibit is all about, said Heather Seferovich, curator of the Education in Zion exhibit.
[/media-credit]- The Education in Zion exhibit is in the Joseph F. Smith Building.
The north side of the exhibit features the Pioneer of Education rooms. The room showcases influential men and women from a variety of disciplines from BYU’s past.
“[The exhibit]helps students start thinking of the impact they can have with their education,” Seferovich said.
The exhibit educates students about BYU’s beginnings and the importance the LDS church has placed upon education.
“[The exhibit] gives me a vision of the greater perspective of the sacrifices made by others for us to have this opportunity,” said Jacob Bromley, a gallery educator, studying exercise science. Bromley said the exhibit is inspirational for students and for members of the LDS church.
Bromley and another gallery educator discussed their experience working for the exhibit during New Student Orientation, while dressed as specific individuals featured in the exhibit.
Eryn Lane, a gallery educator and art history student, said as she talked to the freshmen, she wanted to emphasize the importance of education and the extensive history of BYU.
Bromley was dressed as Lorenzo Snow and he talked to students about Snow’s conversion story.
“It was really fun to study them,” Bromley said. After repeating the stories 30 to 40 times per day, he said he really internalized Snow’s experience.
Through the exhibit students not only hear a variety of stories, they also learn the history of BYU.
“I didn’t know how much went into this institution,” Lane said. “So many parts of its history made it what it is today.”
The exhibit also displays several large works of art, all completed by former BYU students.
Seferovich said students come to the exhibit for a variety of reasons, including for a quiet place to study in the student alcoves, the different activities and the guided tours.
A variety of activities are available for students throughout the semester: family home evenings, Music Fridays, Date Nights and a hidden photo challenge. A new exhibit will also open in the basement of the Joseph Fielding Smith Building later this semester, featuring an Orca Grant recipient’s work.
“I wish that all students would visit the Education in Zion gallery before they graduate,” Seferovich said.
