Mezzanine Gallery Presents “Myth, Muse & Monster” Exhibition

Myth, Muse & Monster (and Other Nonsensical Oddities) exhibition is open from April 4-25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Mezzanine Gallery)

WILMINGTON-The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery is to present Myth, Muse & Monster (and Other Nonsensical Oddities), an exhibition of paintings by Delaware artist J.F. Arsenault.

The show will be on view April 4–25, 2025, with an opening reception on Friday, April 4, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., where visitors can meet the artist and experience his vivid and surreal work firsthand.

Milford-based artist Jeff Arsenault is bringing a world of imagination, myth, and creativity to the Mezzanine Gallery this April. His upcoming exhibition, Myth, Monster, and Muse, promises an exploration of figurative art, dark fantasy, and imaginative realism.

Arsenault, known for his distinctive artistic approach, describes his work as a blend of inspiration, mythology, and creatures of the unknown.

“You’re going to see a lot of figurative work and types of imaginative realism, some dark art too, some monsters, and, you know, all kinds of fun stuff,” Arsenault said.

Invocation of The Muse by <span style="font-weight: 400;">J.F. Arsenault</span> (photo from jfarsenault.com)

Invocation of The Muse by J.F. Arsenault (photo from jfarsenault.com)

One of the exhibition’s standout pieces, Invocation of the Muse, captures Arsenault’s fascination with mythology and the arts.

“It’s sort of my take on the Greek muses, and I have them represented here for different types of arts,” he said.

Myth, Muse & Monster (and Other Nonsensical Oddities) draws from Arsenault’s deep interest in folklore and visual storytelling. Influenced by the Brandywine School’s Howard Pyle and Frank Schoonover, and artists like Frank Frazetta, Edmund Dulac, and Gustave Moreau, the work fuses classical influences with a playful, dreamlike sensibility.

The painting features figures embodying visual, literary, and performing arts.

“The top one, for instance, is holding a paintbrush to represent visual arts. The second one down has a quill and a scroll to represent the written word. And the bottom is holding a sword to represent performing arts.”

Beyond mythology, his work also incorporates imaginative depictions of animals.

“Another aspect of the monster part of the show is that I’ve been taking animals and kind of mixing them up imaginatively, just to make something new and fun,” he shared.

This creative fusion of natural and fantastical elements adds a unique dimension to his artwork.

About the Artist

J.F. (Jeff) Arsenault, a Delaware native, grew up surrounded by the woods and beaches of Rehoboth, Lewes, and Dewey Beach. Fascinated by monsters, comic books, and folklore from an early age, he pursued Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale before rediscovering his passion for fine art. His work combines classical techniques with digital painting, drawing inspiration from artists like Howard Pyle, Frank Frazetta, and Gustave Moreau.

Since returning to Delaware in 2010, Arsenault has collaborated with Dogfish Head Brewery and remains active in the regional arts community. His work continues to evolve, blending myth, imagination, and a deep love for storytelling.