Person gazing at framed image in exhibit.

Join us on Thursday, May 29 from 4-7 p.m. at the Erma Hayman House for the opening of Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate. Preview from 2-4 p.m. at all locations. Remarks at 5 p.m.

This summer, a powerful national art exhibition returns to Idaho, and for the first time in Boise, with renewed urgency and local collaboration. Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate opens May 29 and runs through August 8, with artwork exhibited across three locations: the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, the Erma Hayman House, and Albertsons Library at Boise State University. 

Originally conceived in response to an extraordinary gesture of defiance against white supremacy, this exhibition began in Montana in 2004 when a former leader of the “Creativity Movement”—one of the most virulent hate groups in the country—turned over 4,000 of the group’s "bibles" to the Montana Human Rights Network. In an act of radical creativity and community healing, the Holter Museum of Art invited artists from across the nation to repurpose and transform these volumes into works of beauty, critique, and conversation. The result is Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate, a compelling and thought-provoking collection that uses diverse media—sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, and printmaking—to reflect, engage, and challenge. These artists confront the past and envision a more inclusive future through the power of art. More information at the Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate exhibition website.

In a time when hate continues to shape national and local discourse, this collaboration between the Wassmuth Center, Erma Hayman House, and Albertsons Library underscores a shared commitment to justice, education, and community resilience.

Members of the community and the press are invited to preview Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate on Thursday, May 29 from 2-4 p.m. at all locations, then celebrate the exhibition opening from 4-7 p.m. at the Erma Hayman House (617 Ash St., Boise). Explore the work on display onsite, listen to remarks from the exhibition partners at 5 p.m., enjoy live music by Judy Fjell as well as light refreshments and a no-host bar.

The exhibition is free and open to the public, with each venue showcasing a unique selection of works. Visitors are encouraged to explore all three locations to experience the full range of artistic responses and thematic depth. More information, including open hours and upcoming community programming, is available on the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights – Speaking Volumes.

Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate is made possible through a partnership with Speaking Volumes Art Action (SVAA) and the Holter Museum of Art, and with support from the Pegan Family. 

Media Coverage
Reporters and photographers are encouraged to visit the Wassmuth Center’s exhibition page. Here are additional contacts for interview setup and information throughout the exhibition duration:

About the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights
The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights is dedicated to promoting human dignity and diversity through education. As the founders and home of the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, we invite visitors to reflect on the past, engage in meaningful dialogue, and take action for a just and inclusive future. More information: WassmuthCenter.org

About the Erma Hayman House
The Erma Hayman House is a historic site and cultural center that shares a dignity-centered history of the River Street Neighborhood through preservation, interpretation, and culturally mindful public programs. Through collaborative partnerships, the Erma Hayman House offers inclusive on-site programs and experiences that seek to directly support, serve, and amplify Boise’s diverse community. The Erma Hayman House is owned and managed by the City of Boise’s Department of Arts & History. More information: ErmaHaymanHouse.org

About Albertsons Library at Boise State University
Conveniently located in the center of campus, Albertsons Library serves as the vibrant, nurturing hub of Boise State where people and diverse ideas flourish. We are expert partners in the research, learning, and teaching endeavors of our campus community, connecting people and resources to transform lives. More information: Albertsons Library

Jennifer Yribar, Communications Manager jyribar@cityofboise.org 208-608-7051