The 12 Creative Men lobby exhibit officially opened Thursday night at Theatre Salina, marking the first public showing of work from 12 local male creatives presented alongside the theatre’s mainstage production of 12 Angry Men.
Ten of the 12 participating artists were in attendance for opening night, giving patrons the opportunity to meet the creatives behind the work and discuss the personal themes explored throughout the exhibit. The collection spans multiple disciplines, including visual art, photography, and poetry, with a shared focus on personal experience, reflection, and well-being.
The exhibit was developed in conjunction with the production of 12 Angry Men and is designed to extend the conversation beyond the stage and into the lobby, offering audiences another entry point into the themes of identity, pressure, and personal responsibility.
12 Creative Men will remain on display through January 25 in the Theatre Salina lobby and is open to the public during showtimes and regular theatre hours.
Artist Highlight: Eric Lorson
Eric Lorson is a Salina-based photographer with more than 15 years behind the camera. Influenced by a background in graphic design and commercial arts, his work spans live music, landscape, astrophotography, and portraiture.
Lorson’s approach prioritizes honest moments and natural presence, favoring authenticity over convention. His images focus on atmosphere, light, and timing rather than staged perfection.
Lorson’s photography will be featured January 9–25 in the lobby of Theatre Salina as part of 12 Creative Men, a companion exhibit showcasing work from 12 local male creatives in conjunction with the mainstage production 12 Angry Men.
Artist Highlight: Mo Christo
Mo Christo is a working-class poet, educator, and Kansas native. He splits his time between running machines at a pizza plant, building and flying FPV drones, and teaching English online to students around the world.
Locally, Christo is a regular presence in the spoken-word scene and can be found performing on second Fridays at 7 p.m. during open mic night at Ad Astra Books and Coffee House.
Christo’s poetry will be featured January 9–25 in the lobby of Theatre Salina as part of 12 Creative Men, a companion exhibit showcasing work by local male artists in conjunction with the mainstage production 12 Angry Men.
Artist Highlight: Vaughn Kresin
Local violinist Vaughn Kresin, a Newton resident, will be featured as part of 12 Creative Men, an upcoming lobby exhibit at Theatre Salina.
Kresin lives in Kansas with his partner, Rodger, and their two dogs, Luna and Comet. In Salina, he is also known as the owner of Barolo Grille, where community, collaboration, and hospitality are central to the restaurant’s identity.
For the past seven years, Kresin has performed with the Salina Symphony, an experience he says has played a significant role in shaping him both musically and creatively. He credits the organization with helping him grow as an artist and for reinforcing the importance of arts-driven community engagement in the region.
Kresin began playing violin in high school and describes music as a defining force throughout his life. He views it as a powerful form of connection, allowing expression and communication beyond words while deepening relationships with others.
Kresin’s creative reflections will be on display in the Theatre Salina lobby January 9 through January 25, as part of the 12 Creative Men exhibit.
Artist Highlight: Brad Anderson
Brad Anderson, Executive Director of Salina Arts and Humanities, is featured among the participating artists. Anderson views the arts as a bridge between people, offering insight into shared humanity and encouraging empathy through both creation and experience.
His creative work will be shown alongside pieces from 12 local male artists, collectively inviting viewers to look beyond the canvas and consider the broader human experience reflected in the exhibit.
Artist Highlight: Chaz Coberly
Chaz Coberly is the Artistic Director at Manhattan Arts Center, where he oversees theatre operations. Prior to his role in Manhattan, Coberly practiced law in Salina, specializing in tax and estate planning, while remaining deeply involved in the local arts community.
Coberly has been a longtime contributor to Theatre Salina, serving as board president, directing productions, teaching classes, and performing on stage. In 2019, he received the Outstanding Direction award from the American Association of Community Theatre for his work on Silent Sky.
He holds an MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University, a JD from Washburn University, and a Bachelor of General Studies in physics from Wichita State University, with a minor in mathematics.
Coberly’s art and creative reflections will be displayed January 9–25 in the lobby of Theatre Salina as part of 12 Creative Men, presented in conjunction with the mainstage production 12 Angry Men.
Artist Highlight: John P. Waterman
John P. Waterman is a local existential artist and longtime advocate for the arts.
Waterman will exhibit an original painting inspired by The Shawshank Redemption, bringing to canvas an image he has carried with him for decades.
The piece will be featured in the lobby of **Theatre Salina
Artist Highlight: Travis Märak
Travis Märak is a surreal and abstract artist currently working out of Kansas.
Märak began painting just a few years ago, and the practice quickly became central to his life. He describes painting as a form of therapy and a necessary outlet, allowing him to explore themes ranging from depression to hope. His work is intuitive and unrestricted by a single style or subject, driven instead by what he feels compelled to express.
More of Märak’s work can be viewed at theartoftm.com.
His artwork is featured as part of 12 Creative Men, a lobby exhibition showcasing work from 12 local male creatives across multiple disciplines. The exhibit runs January 9–25 in the lobby of Theatre Salina
Artist Highlight: Eric Montoy
Eric Montoy is an artist and designer based in Salina. He holds a fine arts degree from Fort Hays State University, where he developed a foundation in design, painting, drawing, and visual composition.
Montoy’s work blends fine art, street art, and graphic design, drawing influence from the energy and immediacy of live painting. His pieces often incorporate mixed media and graphic elements informed by both pop and commercial art.
Beyond the studio, Montoy collaborates with businesses, organizations, and fellow artists to create public-facing work, including murals and outdoor installations. He is a co-founder of the Boom Mural Project, a community-driven initiative bringing large-scale public art to Salina while creating opportunities for artists to connect with the community.
Montoy’s work will be displayed in the lobby of Theatre Salina from January 9–25 as part of 12 Creative Men, presented in conjunction with the mainstage production 12 Angry Men.
Artist Highlight: Tanner Colvin
Tanner Colvin is the first featured artist in the exhibit and has worked closely with the Theatre Salina exhibit curator since August to help shape the project and organize participating local artists.
Photography serves as both a profession and personal outlet for Colvin. His work captures quiet moments in nature, reflecting the peace and mental clarity he finds outdoors. Through his images, Colvin emphasizes the value of slowing down, caring for mental health, and sharing those experiences with others.
Artist Highlight: Cody Sanders
Cody Sanders left the Great Plains for Chicago at age 19 after joining an independent record label. Immersed in a creative underground of painters, musicians, and artists, Sanders developed a multidisciplinary practice spanning painting, music, tattooing, and business.
By his early twenties, Sanders was selling paintings, performing with national acts, and apprenticing at a well-known tattoo shop. He returned to Salina in 2012 and opened Subvert Studio, a collaborative space designed to give local artists opportunities to showcase their work and break down traditional barriers.
Works from Sanders’ Should Have Been a Cowboy series are included in this exhibit.
