Acclaimed photographer Kristin Capp gives a rare glimpse into the lives of Hutterite communities in eastern Washington through images acquired by the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University.
Created over four years and published in 1998, Hutterite: A World of Grace shows the lives of people in collective-based settlements, largely self-sufficient farming communities that balance tradition and modernity—preserving Anabaptist customs while embracing advanced agricultural practices. Photographs of Hutterite life are uncommon, and Capp’s work captures moments of fieldwork, shared meals, and quiet reflection with sensitivity and respect.
“This acquisition is highly significant for the museum, bringing us closer to the lived experiences that shape our region and our nation,” says Ryan Hardesty, executive director of the museum. “Capp’s photographs invite us into spaces that are often unseen, revealing a quiet dignity in daily life and a deep connection to land, labor, and community that resonates profoundly with our land-grant mission.”
The 80 photographs at the museum also include works from Capp’s Americana portfolio, created during extended travels across the country. Working in the documentary tradition, she sought out the quiet poetry of everyday life—photographing rural towns, overlooked spaces, and intimate domestic scenes. From a solitary bedspread in Nantucket to the direct gaze of an adolescent boy in Soap Lake, these images reveal the persistence of local character and the subtle textures of American identity.
This acquisition significantly expands the museum’s photography holdings while strengthening connections to the agricultural and cultural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and the broader United States.
Olivia Alvarez is a marketing assistant at the museum. She graduated from WSU last December with a major in digital technology and culture and a minor in fine arts