Come see 'spirited' art show

SANDUSKY — An upcoming show in the local area features international themes filled with passion, soul and liveliness. "That's the Spirit" represents the Sandusky Cultural Center's second show in the 2025-26 season. The display of artwork collectively premieres Sunday with a public reception set for 1-4 p.m. Where does the inspiration for this show come from? It features themes of "traditional Japanese Yokai, European folk traditions and the western cryptids, but we have been interested as well in the general atmosphere of the supernatural and the unexplained," according to a center statement. "Artists were invited to research and interpret the theme in their own unique ways," it read. "Both 2-D and 3-D work and a wide variety of media were encouraged." The lobby gallery features contemporary yokai from a private collection. Here's a look at each participating artist with each explaining his/her artwork on display: • R!ch Cihlar: There are butterflies etched into the resin, and they are meant to be invisible. So a photograph doesn't represent that aspect well. • Donna Coleman: The word "spirit" conjures up for me the idea of human feelings and needs — sometimes ferocious and complex, sometimes comforting and benign. The images here symbolically depict the internal and/or external spirits of human beings in various specific situations and incidents that are meant to represent general, basic and universal or at least societal, human emotional states and all that we creatively make up to express them. • Paul Coleman: The idea behind these paintings was to imagine how the Austrian poet Rainer Marie Rilke would have interpreted present-day Japanese Kaiju movie monsters. It could be said that both are concerned with navigating a large ocean of ignorance in a small boat of conventions. • Danny Frank: Inspired by the motifs of Japanese horror, (artwork consists of) screenprinted and a hand-cut paper shadow box with mixed media applications. • Jared Gepperth: My artwork for this show blends traditional Japanese masks with surreal elements, creating a haunting fusion of folklore and fear. A distorted face with eerie, exaggerated features evokes a sense of ancient spirits invading the modern world, blurring the line between myth and nightmare. • Alexander Haines: My submission for "That's the Spirit" is an oil lamp that I've called the Kanryu. He has a story that goes with it and two arrows that come off for easy travel. • Josh Haplea: I use recycled Japanese sake bottles. On top, I create shot glass holders from various metals and objects. Each bottle represents a different yokai spirit. • David Hobbs: The Kappa contemplates his life of reckless mischief and cruel actions as its removed arm floats away. I wanted his position to give that defeated feel, and I kept thinking of one constantly messing with a farmer until the farmer fought back. The bird is based on a bull-headed shrike who's watched all the antics, flies down when the kappa is at his lowest and splashes a little water out of his sara, taking a little more of his magic away. • Nina Vivian Huryn: The magical properties of the Baba Yaga'a hut are central to its role in Slavic folklore. The hut is not merely a dwelling. It acts as a conduit to supernatural realms and dimensions where spirits and magical creatures can be found. • George Kocar: From the ghosts of long ago amusement parks, dead artists' portraits, Japanese Yokai and a lot more that gets me in the spirit. • Billy McKay: Kodama, the playful Japanese tree spirits. • Gregg Mello: My family has a lot of spirit when it comes to the holidays, especially Halloween, and entertaining with spirits is especially our forte. My new series for "That's the Spirit" will feature my interpretation of being the host with the ghosts. Combining my love for mid-mod/kitsch illustrations and some favorite family cocktails, these pieces will be a scream for patrons to have as framed recipe cards. Beyond Sunday, the exhibit welcomes people to view artwork through Nov. 22 during the following times and days: • 1-4 p.m. on Sundays • Noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays "Admission is free at all times and parking is available at the rear of Sandusky High School, 2130 Hayes Ave. (Ohio 4), in Sandusky," the statement read. The gallery and parking lot are located behind the high school beside its observatory. People can call 419-625-1188 for more information.