'Mask' to reveal hidden meanings behind artwork

SANDUSKY — Masks conceal identities and, oftentimes, cover up a person's motives.But an upcoming show at Carrington Arts aims to unveil veils, revealing facts hidden behind false faces submitted by a dozen Ohio-based artists.A presentation titled "Mask" premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky art gallery. The exhibit represents Carrington Arts' first show of 2019 and its 18th overall.Marsha Carrington, who owns Carrington Arts, recruited each artist to create pieces and showcase them in her gallery.Without exposing too many tidbits, Carrington did divulge some details to provide a sneak peek of what people can expect:What"My hope for this show was that some artists would actually make masks or works that incorporate a mask or masks in their art. Others could use the theme symbolically or metaphorically, and this indeed was the result. A mask could be anything from something worn for masquerading, like Halloween, a parade or other celebration. But, generally, the word is associated with disguising or obscuring one's identity, or enhancing it, as with makeup, clothing or a costume. Masks can also be used completely symbolically as in hiding behind a persona or not revealing something about one's self, changing an identity, acting or pretending."WhoAmong some of the artists and variety of work making up "Mask," as explained by Carrington:• "Robin H.M., owner and world-renowned tattoo artist of 546 Tattoo Studio in Sandusky, uses the plague doctor mask in her powerful and beautifully dark painting 'When Romeo Loves Juliet (a plague on both houses).'""When Romeo Loves Juliet (a plague on both houses)" by Robin H.M. (Hudnall) is one of several pieces going on display for Carrington Arts' next show, titled "Mask," which premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky gallery.• "Charles Mayer, director of the Sandusky Cultural Center, exhibits meticulous macron stippling ink drawings of male figures wearing different masks from Japan, Mexican and Canadian indigenous people called 'Mask Pentaptych.' The actual masks used in the drawings accompany the art.""Southern Kwakiuti- Moon anonymous, c. 1940 Canada" by Charles Mayer is one of several pieces going on display for Carrington Arts' next show, titled "Mask," which premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky gallery. • "(Carrington's) oil paintings depict fabric over human faces where the fabric itself becomes the mask, and the features that lie below take on an ethereal ghostly quality.""Clinging to Serenity" by Marsha Carrington is one of several pieces going on display for Carrington Arts' next show, titled "Mask," which premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky gallery.• "Donna Coleman's oil painting titled 'The Fan Base' takes on a symbolic approach. She writes, 'Some people adore other people. What are they adoring?'""The Fan Base" by Donna Coleman is one of several pieces going on display for Carrington Arts' next show, titled "Mask," which premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky gallery.• "Marcus Schafer's laser-cut art pieces take on their own personalities. For example, the wood bowls feel almost like tribal masks, while his lamps, boxes and votives feature eye motif designs.""Kal 'eye' Doscope" by Marcus Schafer is one of several pieces going on display for Carrington Arts' next show, titled "Mask," which premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky gallery.• "Sonya Lucas' painting 'American Monster' is a gripping social commentary, speaking volumes on racism and division in American culture.""American Monster" by Sonya Lucas is one of several pieces going on display for Carrington Arts' next show, titled "Mask," which premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky gallery. • "Delores Oleksa, a local artist who teaches painting classes in Sandusky, shows her assemblage piece 'Aqua Queen' that incorporates a variety of found and collected objects.""Aqua Queen" by Delores Oleksa is one of several pieces going on display for Carrington Arts' next show, titled "Mask," which premieres Friday at the downtown Sandusky gallery.Want to go?What: "Mask," an upcoming show at Carrington Arts featuring 12 Ohio-based artists, including several from SanduskyWhere: Carrington Arts, 231 W. Water St., SanduskyWhen: A special free opening reception takes place 6-9 p.m. Friday. People are encouraged to wear masks of any and all kinds at the reception. The entire exhibit, meanwhile, is available through March 15. People can visit the gallery 12-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 12-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.Cost: The show is free to attend.More: Call 419-621-7617 or visit facebook.com/marshagraycarringtonart for more information.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.