According to Swanson — who has visited the studios of nearly 400 Russian artists during his 35 visits to the country — artists had to be members of the artist union; if they weren't, they couldn't purchase art supplies. "The artist," he said, "was brought on board to promote communism. You couldn't be just an artist; if you were, you'd be considered a parasite."

With such restrictions, it is remarkable the artists produced anything worthy of even a second glance; yet they did, and "if they followed party directives, they had a pretty good deal."

"Soviet Art in Conflict: The Artist as an Agent of Social Change" is replete with captivating paintings, graphics and sculpture.

And while blatantly propagandistic, the art is stylistically ravishing, poignant and often even sweet, positively demonstrating that totalitarianism cannot completely destroy artistic vision and expression.

The exhibit comes from the SMA's permanent collection, the Jacobs collection and several other private Utah collections.

If you go

What: "Soviet Art in Conflict: The Artist as an Agent of Social Change"

Where: Springville Museum of Art, 126 E. 400 South, Springville

When: through Feb. 1

Museum hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 3-6 p.m.; Closed Monday and holidays

How much: free

Phone: 489-2727

Web: www.smofa.org

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E-mail: gag@desnews.com