Enchanted Brush Exhibit of Fantasy Artwork Opens at Mazza Museum
The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum will showcase a selection of the world’s finest fantasy artists in its 11th annual Enchanted Brush exhibit, open now through August 29.
This year’s exhibit, free to the public in the Lea Gallery of UF’s Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, has a theme of “Legendary.”
“This exhibition brings to life the characters, myths, and moments of epic tales,” explained Dan Chudzinski, director of curation and exhibitions at Mazza and founder of the Enchanted Brush exhibition.
There are 27 works of art, representing 22 international fantasy artists, in the display of oil paintings, scratchboard, bronze sculpture, 3D-printed digital sculpture, and more.
The theme emphasizes the connection between fantasy artwork and great literature, and how both transcend time.
“It has the power to transport us to the shadows of Sherwood, through the mists of Avalon, and beyond the boundaries of our imaginations,” Chudzinski explained. “This is art that provokes thought and curiosity.”
Among the featured pieces is “St. Petroch and the Dragon,” an oil painting by Scott Gustafson, whose work ranges from creating tea box artwork for Celestial Seasonings to covers for the Saturday Evening Post. Illustrating children’s books is his favorite creative outlet, and he currently has five books in print.
Gustafson’s painting for the exhibit (shown at left) features the legend of St. Petroch, a monk in Wales during the sixth century. The story tells of a distraught dragon upsetting nearby residents, and when Petroc confronted the beast, he learned that it had a splinter in its eye and needed help. The painting illustrates Petroch’s removal of the splinter, which resulted in the dragon leaving the village in peace.
Another featured artist in the exhibit is Don Maitz, with his oil paintings “Arthur in Battle” and “Arthur Knights Lancelot” (shown above).
Maitz is the original creator of the Captain Morgan Spiced Rum character and an award-winning cover artist of more than 300 books, magazines, game art, and advertising for National Geographic, DC & Marvel Comics, Paramount, and Warner Pictures, among others. Maitz twice won science fiction’s Hugo Award for Best Artist, and he has exhibited in over 40 museums.
Chudzinski noted that the exhibit also highlights several “cryptids,” which are creatures whose existence is not yet scientifically proven. One of these is the curator’s own sculpture of the Loveland, Ohio Frogman.
Three other pieces feature ajackalope, a jackrabbit with antelope horns. These are an oil painting by Alan Douglas, and a skeleton and sculpture by Chudzinski (shown at left).
Other participating artists in the exhibit are Iris Compiet, Allen Douglas, Quintin Gleim, Scott Gustafson, James Herrmann, Kelley Hensing, Elliot Lang, Ashly Lovett, Don Maitz, Jason Mowry, Reiko Murakami, Colin Nitta, Kristine Poole, Ruth Sanderson, Danny Schwartz, Chris Sickles, Andrew Sides, Melissa Stanley, Alex Stone, Jeremy Wilson, and Janny Wurts.
A reception will take place Tuesday, July 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with a gallery tour and some of the artists attending to discuss their work.
Many of the pieces of artwork on display are available for purchase, with all of the proceeds going to the artists.
For more information on the exhibit, visit mazzamuseum.org.
Post Views: 151
Latest Findlay Newsroom
- Community “Bands Together” to Fight Hunger at Helping Hands Kickoff EventThe University of Findlay’s 20th Annual Helping Hands Food Drive struck the right note at its kickoff event, Band Against Hunger, on Tuesday, October 28. The community event, held at Findlay High School, brought together more than 400 attendees and […] The post Community “Bands Together” to Fight Hunger at Helping Hands Kickoff Event appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- The Reist Family Fall Choral Concert: Feel the Spirit – Set for Nov. 2The University of Findlay’s Concert-Chorale and University Singers are set to present the Reist Family Fall Choral Concert. They will take the stage in a powerful choral concert centered around the theme Feel the Spirit on Sunday, November 2 at 3 […] The post The Reist Family Fall Choral Concert: Feel the Spirit – Set for Nov. 2 appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- Oiler Marching Band Presents “Sounds of the Stadium”Catch the magic of the songs and sounds that energize Oiler Nation! University of Findlay’s Oiler Marching Band presents its “Sounds of the Stadium” concert on Sunday, October 26 at 3 p.m. at the Winebrenner TLB Auditorium. The performance will […] The post Oiler Marching Band Presents “Sounds of the Stadium” appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- Watterson Scholars Program Launched at UFThe University of Findlay is launching the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership this fall and has appointed Sarah Fedirka, Ph.D., as director. The Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership is named for Billy Watterson and his wife, Brenda, who made a […] The post Watterson Scholars Program Launched at UF appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- University of Findlay to Host 24th Annual IA ForumThe University of Findlay’s Department of Computer Science is preparing to host the 24th Annual Information Assurance Forum on Wednesday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in UF’s Winebrenner TLB Auditorium, located at 950 N. Main St., Findlay. “Autonomous […] The post University of Findlay to Host 24th Annual IA Forum appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- UF President Katherine Fell to Retire in 2026University of Findlay President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., has announced her plans to retire at the close of the 2025-26 academic year, concluding 16 years of transformative leadership for UF. “President Fell has led with vision, faith, and a deep commitment […] The post UF President Katherine Fell to Retire in 2026 appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
