Artist: Phil Sugden

Phil Sugden was born and raised in England and emigrated to the U.S. in 1954. He currently lives in Findlay, Ohio, where he has a studio. A graduate of the New York School of Visual Arts and the Paris American Academie des Beaux Arts, he's a world traveler who has made 12 journeys throughout the Himalaya and Tibet. He and his wife have traveled to 50 countries and hosted the Dalai Lama in their home and studio. In the 1980s he was an adjunct professor at the University of Findlay and taught for eight years in the Lima Correctional Institution and the Allen County Institution. He's received numerous grants and his work has been exhibited in more than 100 solo and 130 group shows internationally, including galleries and museums in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Washington D.C., Melbourne, and Kathmandu. He is currently a professor of studio art and gallery director at Bluffton University.

Artist statement: The front of the violin references an English cottage. My favorite composers are English - Fredrich Delius, Vaughan Williams, Finzi - pastorals and tone poems where strings tend to be strong throughout the pieces. The image on the backside of the violin is a tree that I titled, "Axis Mundi," which makes reference to the connection between two sides of the same object-heaven and earth. I use it here to connect the violin/music to the visual art on the violin itself. I used a brown Sharpie marker to do the drawing. Sharpies tend to be permanent. Most of the drawing has two coats of marker.

Artist: Jason Callan

Jason Callan is now in his 34th year teaching art at Findlay City Schools. He is currently teaching a variety of 2d courses at Findlay High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and his master's degree from the University of Findlay. He has lived and taught art in Findlay his entire teaching career. He has one daughter who started at FHS this fall.

Artist statement: The name of the piece, "Little Violins," pays homage to the song Little Guitars by Van Halen. This work was inspired by Eddie Van Halen's iconic red guitar that was known around the music world in the '80s and '90s. To make it more guitar-like, I added a handmade whammy bar and volume control.

Artist: Rosalie M. King

Rosalie King is a retired occupational therapist and University of Findlay professor with a career focus in mental health. She has long enjoyed photography, drawing, painting, and other creative pursuits. Music has always been part of her life, including playing piano and singing. She has recently published two children's books, which she also illustrated. Rosalie has been a member of the Findlay Art League for several years.

Artist statement: I am a lover of flower gardening, music, and art. When I saw this violin I immediately envisioned the beauty and fragrance of flowers, the sweet singing of the strings now lost, and the elegance of this instrument. It is from this perspective that I embellished this classic piece.

Artist: Nancy Ludi Frankenfield

Nancy Frankenfield is a retired high school arts teacher. She taught at Findlay High School from 1993-2015. She received her bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University, and her master's degree in liberal studies from the University of Findlay. Her work has appeared in numerous juried art shows and exhibits, including at the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls, Art Space in Lima, the Mansfield Art Center, the Findlay Art League, and the Toledo Area Artists at the Toledo Museum of Art.

Artist statement: I had a lot of fun creating "Kermit T. Frog" and I am going to miss him. The medium used is paper mache, green acrylic paint, styrofoam for the eyes and felt, and violin.

Artist: Cindy L. Meadows

When she was in the 3rd grade, Cindy L. Meadows won a scholarship to Saturday Kids' art classes, and it sparked her passion for art. While growing up she frequently visited the Toledo Museum of Art where she learned about composition and principles of art through viewing works of the great masters. She majored in business and fine arts at Owens Community College and Lourdes University. Homeschooling her two daughters, K-12, she taught art in many co-ops, developing the ability to teach students in many mediums and at different skill levels. She currently is a resident artist and teaches classes in drawing, watercolor, acrylic oil, and pottery at 50 North and the Findlay Art League.

Artist statement: My violin is entitled "Standing Alone." The neck comin' down testifies to old life: its worries, problems, and cares. A new life grows from the newly painted body. It blooms into a purpose. Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's "Irises." The white iris Stands Alone!

Artist: Jan Morehart

Jan Morehart is a Findlay area artist, naturalist, ornithologist, and horticulturist.

Artist statement: Garden Song is an illustration of the serenity of the garde, the details of nature, awaiting the addition of song to complete the story.

Artist: Linda Lehman

Throughout her 40 years as an art educator, teaching all levels-elementary through college, Linda Lehman has asked her students to be curious. She believes curiosity leads to exploring the unfamiliar and sequentially to a confidence that one can create something new and unfamiliar to the world. Her curiosity has led her to over 40 countries, exploring and creating images in watercolor and collage. As a child, she began her artistic journey in her backyard immersed in nature, and nature continues to remain an inspiration for her art. She received her bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and her master's degree from Bowling Green State University. She's taught in Allen County Schools, at Ohio Northern University and at the Ohio State University, Lima campus.

Artist statement: "That's Not What Wings Are For" was created by collaging rice paper on to the

surface of the violin and then watercolor painting my images on the textured surfaces. I wanted to create a natural feeling for the birds and nest in honor of my mother who instilled my love of nature many years ago. The violin, which I knew only as fiddle, has always been dear to my heart as my father played jigs and reels to entertain my brothers and I as we were growing up. Some family members were afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy and bound to wheelchairs, so music and birdwatching brought much enjoyment to our family. As time has softened the heartache of losing these family members, creating this work of art has been a celebration.

Artist: Jessica Schenck

Artist statement: I really wanted to be part of this project because I love the violin and I love to paint. This violin is ruined, never to be played again. The old, abandoned home reminded me of the ruin of things neglected by time. I combined the home with the violin music of Vivaldi, who is one of my favorite composers. The music gave me inspiration to make the home appear sad, but it also made me feel there was something that used to be loved and admired. The music that is wrinkled and old became part of the art, and even though time has gone by, that music is loved and evokes emotions just like the old home. I truly feel there is beauty in the ruins if we look for it and just listen.

Artist: P. Brown

An Ohio artist born into a talented family, P. Brown has been passionate about art her entire life. In her art, she likes to reflect the beauty and wonder of nature. Using her formal training and experimental methods, she creates in many different mediums. She says "for me, nature, the desire to create, and art all go together with the hope that what I create will leave a lasting impression on others as well as a smile."

Artist statement: I wanted my art to enhance the violin, not take it over. I first cleaned and glued where it was coming apart and decided to give it a nature theme of flowers and butterflies. After drawing and painting the flowers and gold trim, I had the idea to give it a 3-D effect by adding additional wire and shaping it to represent a broken string. Next was to create the rice paper butterflies and perch them on the wire as though in flight. Finally a gloss coat was added to give the violin a polished look to bring out its original beauty.

Artist: Jay Morehart

Jay Morehart is a Findlay area artist, historian, and student swimmer.

Artist statement: Neptune's Fiddle features the mysteries of the deep; the draw of the sea with treasure, tragedy, discovery and timeless wonder.

Artist: Valerie Escobedo

Valerie Escobedo is an artist and an associate professor of art at the University of Findlay, where she teaches classes in drawing, printmaking, and painting. She lives in Findlay, and her first job out of college was an art teacher for Findlay High School.

Artist statement: This is a mid-century modern pattern that utilizes the natural color and finish of the wood for areas of the design.

Artist: Emma Gadbois

Emma Gadbois is a student at the University of Findlay, where she studies animal science with an emphasis in pre-veterinary medicine. She is a self-taught artist whose preferred media is paper and pencil.

Artist statement: This design was inspired by the yukata (Japanese kimono-like robe) that I wore to the local summer festival during my visit to Japan. It includes several Hydrangea flowers painted in soft purples and blues. The Onmaku Festival is held in Imabari, Ehime during August over two days. "Onmaku" in Imabari dialect refers to the meaning of "dramatic and messed up" and, as the name suggests, is when each city and town unites to hold various events, mainly at Imabari Port and its surrounding locations.

Artist: Emily Hanson

Emily Hanson is a piano accompanist for the Findlay High School choirs and the Ohio Northern University singers. She enjoys volunteering at her church and spending time with family

Artist statement: This work was inspired by Igor Stravinsky's orchestral work, "Petrushka."

Artist: Sarah Hipple

Sarah Hipple lived in Findlay from 2010 to 2024, except for two years she lived in Japan

and one year in Michigan. After becoming a regular at Coffee Amici, she and her best friend, Karlee Cole , became unofficial window artists for holiday and special event window designs. She recently contributed to the menu wall at Reading Grounds as well. She often plans ahead and is methodological when designing and creating her artworks. She also enjoys sewing and overcoming problems with creative brainstorming.

Artist statement: Red, blue, green, golden, and teal squares of vinyl overlap on this violin in rough wrinkles, with a high gloss smooth space. Remnants of the wood remain uncovered to reveal the original instrument. Visually-impaired individuals can also explore the shape of the violin through the smooth and rough textures. A piece that once produced auditory art now allows for tactile and visual art to be enjoyed.

Artist: Amber Kear/ Hysteria Co.

Amber Kear, aka Ambz, is the owner and creator of Hysteria Co. since 2019, located in Findlay, Ohio, in the Historic Jones Building of Artists. Amber recently completed her degree in psychology and is working on applying for a master's in art therapy, client-based practice. She offers contract services for murals, graphic design, marketing & has her own line of merchandise. www. hysteria.company

Artist statement: Repurposed wooden box from the Chicago rivet company; used lampshade purchased at Home Once More and the electrical items purchased at Lowes.

Magnify each other's light.

Venus & dreaming.

Inspired by Greek ornament decor from the 1700s, San Miguel de Allende, women, the moon, love, the times we are in & dreams.

Los Luna.

Clip from an article I read in May by Maria Popova titled "The Light Between Us" on James Baldwin: "The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love - whether we call it friendship or family or romance - is the work of mirroring & magnifying each other's light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life & shame & sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another."

TITLE: "The Ballad of Forgotten Spaces"

DESCRIPTION: An old violin, once a vessel for music, now cradles a home within its hollowed form-a dollhouse where silence sings. The body, scarred and weathered, opens like a book of unwritten songs, offering tiny rooms as chapters in a story untold. Each miniature fixture plays the role of a note frozen in time, and the arching scroll at the top becomes a winding stairway to imagined worlds.

ARTIST BIO: Jason Wagner, a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, has spent the past 20 years cultivating creativity as an art educator. Alongside his teaching career, he channels his artistic vision through TimberFork Studio, a local business dedicated to handcrafted art and design. With a passion for blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary ideas, Jason's work explores themes of transformation, storytelling, and creative entrepreneurship.