May Arts Marathon Midway Gallery

Linda Robeck Fuhrman

The MAGA Words Dictionary of the American Language for a New Era.

Inspired by Orwell's "1984" this project takes a Merriam-Webster dictionary printed 2024 and alters it (through deletions [using white out] and corrections [using cut-and-paste] to create the lexicon for the New Era.

It is inspired by Orwell and the current activities in Washington DC and the drive to Increase Efficiency through eliminating Waste and Extremism.

Larisa Volkavichyute

Sun Bunnies


When I lived in Russia, it was tradition to drink hot black tea in the morning, and really after every meal. As a child, I was always enchanted by the reflections the tea made — the way the light would catch the surface and cast little playful spots on the wall. We called them sun bunnies.

Even now, whenever I see those little dancing flecks of light, I feel that warm, fuzzy, safe feeling inside. I feel home.

This painting is about that — a still life with a teapot, a teacup, and joyful bunnies hopping all around in light and memory.

Larisa Volkavichyute

Nostalgic still life


Pastel is, to me, the most passionate, affectionate, and forgiving medium. I love it deeply!

Today’s work unfolded in layers—more and more details emerging from the mist of memory. I had planned to keep going, but something stopped me: the fear of ruining the emotionality already captured. It’s unfinished, yet something in me is attached to the sketch as it is.

Maybe it’s time to start a new one.
To chase the direction I was heading, before the sketch itself began to speak louder than the plan.

Larisa Volkavichyute

Mermaid and Harpy

This piece took me outside of my usual color palette—and outside my comfort zone a bit too. I was thinking about Mermaids and Harpies, both powerful symbols in Slavic folklore. There’s so much feminine energy, mystery, and strength in these archetypes, and I wanted to explore that.

Interestingly, I didn’t use any references this time. Normally, I start with something from real life, and the final work still ends up looking whimsical and folk-like. But this time, I just followed instinct, and somehow, these two figures started to resemble people I know. The unconscious mind works in strange and beautiful ways, doesn’t it? It pulls from our inner worlds, whether we invite it to or not.

I’m starting to really enjoy these quicker paintings. They’re freer, more playful—and more fun to make!

Victoria Loehle

take me with you (premise of story)

I see it flashing by me—
roofless, doorless Wrangler,
empty passenger seat,
brooding-auraed stranger
in the fugue of a road-rager—
such a ruinous kind of danger,
it beckons me!
what if I went along?
I reckon we
would come to get along.

that’s the one thought in my head
when the green light turns to yellow.
brakes all flicker fiery red,
and I want to, got to bellow:
“take
me
with
you!”

I see it sitting so still—
too easy to climb in.
I keep thinking, I will!
who would call it crime
if we’re both having a good time?
they say, if life gives you a lime,
make limeade, right?
one thing I never do.
it’s Friday night…
I’m thinking something new!

that’s what swirls across my mind
as the yellow light flares red…
tires skid across their line,
then, like that, it ends up said!
“ take
me
with
you!”

there’s no taking it back,
there’s no clicking undo…
there’s no cleaning the slate,
there’s just following through…
I’m jogging towards you!
just your jaw going slack
and your eyebrows, askew…
what you’re meaning to say,
I’m just wishing I knew.
I’m whisp’ring anew:
“take
me
with
you!” 

Victoria Loehle

ace? (intro to Emma)

he’s running by
and I’m watching him move
mesmerized
by his stride is SO smooth

mm, mm, he’s cut
so chiseled, he sizzles the drizzly air
I’m staring, but
his presence is not messing with me anywhere…

still a pleasure he’s there
‘cause he’s gorgeous, I swear!

she’s strutting along
and I’m glancing her way
click of her heels like a song
I could play and replay

ooh-ooh, she’s lush
so perfectly curvy, I’m envious
feel my cheeks flush—
her presence is just messing with my confidence :/

in seconds, I’m crushed
one thing I know: this ain’t a crush…

nuh-uh, no way,
for sure, I’m NOT gay!
I couldn’t be
all right, maybe…
different than straight
with a parallel fate—
it’s plaguing me:
my pronoun’s she
still, I’m not one to chase
am I ace?

I open a book…
the gal meets her guy
find I’m frightened to look
once the heat’s on high

that’s it! I’m done!
with prose, fricking motion pictures, songs, too!
how folks write love!
it’s all flirty, then it’s dirty, a wet dream come true!

but it’s perfect for you
WHY? I only wish I knew!

nuh-uh, no way,
for sure, I’m NOT gay!
I couldn’t be
all right, maybe…
different than straight
with a parallel fate—
it’s plaguing me:
my pronoun’s she
still, I’m not one to chase
am I ace?

intrigued,
yet disgusted by
what you mean
when you say lovin’
(isn’t anyone else?)
PG
is as much as I
can take—
from worse, I’m runnin’…
(from everyone else!)

nuh-uh, no way,
for sure, I’m NOT gay
I couldn’t be
all right, maybe…
different than straight
with a parallel fate—
it’s plaguing me:
my pronoun’s she
still, I’m not one to chase
am I ace?

nuh-uh, no way,
in truth, I can’t say
I don’t view me
as L, B, or T
different than straight,
with a parallel fate—
I’d love to be
with somebody…
still, I’m not one to chase
am I ace? 

Victoria Loehle

intro to Xavi

pitter-
patter
of
a
drizzle
hitting
up
against
the
window,
waning
light
a
little
grizzled
from
the
vantage
of my
pillow

couch is
singing
a siren’s
song

head is
thinking,
I’m right where
I belong.

still, I’m both’ring to wake
because you press!
just my whole life at stake;
I can’t care less—
the fact is I’m that… listless…

sloshy
whoosh
of
passing
traffic
clock
is
ticking
—
just you panic!
I’m
unmoving
and
impassive
…
few
days
prior,
I
was manic /:

stage is
singing,
show must
go on!

head is
thinking,
I just
wish I were… gone.

still, I’ll bother to play
because you press!
might not sound quite the same;
I can’t care less—
the fact is I’m that… listless…

spiraling
depression
I tend to
lie awake—
all night…

sometimes pacing, sometimes racing
to escape from my mind’s blight…

to turn, I take
a left in
my quest to
come to make
a right…

still, I’m falling; still, I’m calling,
“nothing’s wrong!” to your delight!

and I bother to try
because you press!
rule is do or do not;
I can’t care less—
the fact is I’m that… listless…

what a mess!
I’ve never been as listless