Discover the rich history and art of Hutterite communities at the Mennonite Heritage Center Gallery through their two new exhibits.

The latest exhibitions to come to the Mennonite Heritage Center Gallery (MHC Gallery) are Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War and Our (Hutterite) Life in Art.

These exhibits tell the story and history of Hutterite communities as well as give us a glimpse into Hutterite life today as seen through the eyes of children living in Hutterites colonies.

Ray Dirks the Curator of the MHC Gallery sees this show and upcoming fundraiser as, "An invitation to get to know each other in a respectful atmosphere, built on faith, kindness and the hope that all in our wider Manitoba community accept such invitations."

Dirks continues saying that this exhibit, "fits well the gallery's mandate to encourage us to get to know one another and in that knowing build relationships based on friendships and not on fear, stereotypes, and ignorance."

Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War

Dora Mandel is one of the many Hutterite history buffs in Manitoba. She tells of the first exhibition as a group of Hutterite men who fought to remain peaceful and nonviolent during World War One.

Through a series of events all occurring in the United States, some of these men eventually died due to mistreatment. This is what really prompted the move of the Hutterite colonies from the United States to Canada.

Dora says part of the reason this show makes sense is that "Mennonites and Hutterites have the same faith base." Many Mennonites and Hutterites disagree with violence and war which is one of the founding beliefs of the Hutterites.

This belief is a big part of what the first exhibit at the gallery, Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War is about.

This exhibition focused on the move of Hutterites from the United States to Canada 100 years ago during World War One.

Our (Hutterite) Life in Art

Serena Mandel, an artist, and art teacher at Fairhomes school and iTV (Interactive online learning reaching 35 colonies) says that she hopes people will see the "ordinary things that happen and that we (Hutterites) are people like everybody else," in the exhibit Our (Hutterite) Life in Art.

Serena says both she and her students were excited to participate in the Manitoba Heritage Center Gallery show. The artwork Serena and her students created for the show is a colorful mural that is divided up into pieces so that each person's work is visible and appreciated.

"My students from kindergarten to grade eight did a big mural . . . I really enjoyed watching how excited they were, putting in their ideas and working together."

Serena hopes that anyone who sees the show will realize Hutterites are not unusual or different, "even though sometimes our clothes, and the way we live, or the way we are portrayed" makes it seem like it.

Serena loves this show because it shows, "the ordinary every day that is happening in the art."

These shows will remain open until November 9th. If you would like to see the shows and support the gallery the annual MHC Gallery Fundraiser will be taking place on Friday, October 18th at 7:30.