The Springville Museum of Art hosts a ball every year as a celebration for its community of art lovers, students and original works. This year's theme is Utah's poet-painter, John Hafen.
The Springville Museum of Art Ball is a long-standing tradition, celebrating generations of art lovers with Springville High School royalty and the community, all dressing for the occasion.
"I sometimes like to call it 'Community Prom' or 'Intergenerational Prom.' It dates back to 1912," Emily Larsen, the museum director, said.
John Hafen was the inspiration for this art ball.
"I don't know if John Hafen, at the time, realized what he was doing, but that tiny moment sparked generations of love for the arts," Jessa Nuttall, the museum operations supervisor, said.
To augment the ball's immersive experience, the museum's staff brought the departed American impressionist back to life.
"They asked me … if I could portray John Hafen, so that I could give some insight, perhaps, into why he was called The Poet Painter of Utah," Justin L. Kennington, a local poet and actor, said.
Kennington spent the evening roaming the Enduring Beauty exhibit as John Hafen, reciting poetry he researched that correlated with the artist's works.
"I didn't want to approach it like a method actor or a cosplay … What I'm doing is kind of in between that," Kennington said.
However, the ball had more than actors, artists and live music. John Hafen's family came by to celebrate his life.
"His youngest son, Joseph Hafen, is my father," Margaret Ann Hafen Rupp, John Hafen's granddaughter, said.
The Enduring Beauty art exhibit features many of Hafen's original works that are usually displayed at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake or otherwise archived.
"I really want them to feel like they're walking into his canvas," Nuttall said.
"I like to think of it like if you were in Mary Poppins and could just jump into it," Gina Woolf, museum event coordinator, said.
The Enduring Beauty exhibit is open until July 25, 2026.