How can art represent steadfast beliefs — beliefs held so strongly that their possessor could only be called stubborn? The Gallery Project’s latest exhibition, “In Spite of the Evidence,” asks artists to abstractly answer the central question, "How is it that people can maintain steadfast beliefs in an idea even when presented with evidence that seems to contradict it?"

The Gallery Project presents “In Spite of the Evidence,” a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition featuring 32 established and emerging artists who have set out to answer this very question through the lens of their own artistic vision using every medium imaginable, including video, digital art, collage, sculpture and more.

All the pieces on display, like Sherry Moore’s “Safety Net,” which is assembled with only safety pins and thread, may leave the viewer wondering how each artist feels about his or her beliefs or other opinions and how such views can be interpreted in his or her work.

“The idea is that people have something they believe in or think about, and that there is a tendency for people, even though other people disagree with them or evidence to the contrary (is presented), to still have their own belief,” said founding co-director Gloria Pritschet, who runs the gallery with Rocco DePietro.

Since its opening in April 2005, the gallery has curated nine themed exhibits each year.

“The goal is to have work that is culturally aware, courageous, thought-provoking and individualistic,” Pritschet said.

All the exhibits typically showcase the work of local artists as well as artists from around the country, who may be established or new to the art world.

“We’re interested in as many voices as we can get who are speaking to the theme,” Pritschet added.

This focus on a wide variety of different viewpoints diffuses the potential controversy of an exhibit like “In Spite of the Evidence,” which deals with personal convictions like religion and politics.

“We don’t try to be controversial, but we try to think of subjects that are of interest in the world,” Pritschet said. Past exhibits have included “Nature Repercieved,” “Animal Intelligence” and “Gender Agenda.”

Because of the gallery’s commitment to exposing different points of view, Pritschet often finds it becomes a launching pad for newer artists.

“We have some people in mind who we invite, but as a nonprofit (organization) one of the things we’ve always done is we will look at people’s submissions,” Pritschet said. “We try to support emerging artists and to provide a venue for seldom-heard voices. We look at people who are marginalized from the art scene, but we never compromise and have mediocre work.”

Pritschet mentioned that one of her greatest pleasures was to present the work of a well known artist who had won several awards in New York City right next to an artist who was applying for an MFA at the University of Michigan.

Although The Gallery Project was originally intended by its founders to be a five-year project, Pritschet and DePietro, both artists themselves, have recently decided to extend their lease for two more years. Their next exhibition, “Mind,” which opens with a reception on Feb. 26 and runs through March 28, will celebrate the extension.