Sun Valley Museum of Art (2023)
In June 2022 I was invited by Sun Valley Museum of Art in Ketchum, Idaho to research a nearby abandoned and reportedly toxic mine site. While there, I gathered information on the mine and its history as the home base for UFO-preaching Minister Milton Haar.
In the 1960s, Reverend Haar, his wife Vernette, and members of their religious group relocated from North Dakota to the mine site and lived in the mine’s above-ground buildings in order to communicate with visiting scientists from outer space. Haar believed the extraterrestrial scientists were landing at the site and conducting experiments on the plants and soil there.
The group left the site in the 1970s, but others who’ve lived there since then have experienced UFO-like phenomena.
While walking the mine site, I couldn’t help but wonder: What if Reverend Haar was right? What if the scientists are here?
The research led to writing and diagramming which led to the making of a 12 footlong artist book and accompanying drawings for a project room at the Sun Valley Museum of Art as part of the group exhibition, Sightings in 2023.