Vacaville Art League and Gallery’s current exhibit, “Copycat,” invites artists to recreate and reimagine their favorite works of art.

“This is the first time we’ve ever done this and we have a lot of amazing work,” says Art Gallery Manager Barb Musial. The gallery is regularly open to art submissions from the public and displays all the work they receive.

All in all, there are about 85 included pieces, covering a wide range of mediums and inspirations, from ceramics to acrylic paint to fiber work.

The exhibit officially opens Feb. 22 at the reception, which Musial says is an opportunity to learn more about the artistic process. “A lot of the artists do come to the receptions, so you have a chance to meet and talk with the artists who created some of the work.”

As a result, the gallery reception is also a meeting of the minds, says Musial. “I’ve been a lover of art all my life, and I especially love hanging out with artists,” she said. “I find them inspiring.”

Musial originally came up with the theme of the exhibit, “Copycat,” because, ironically, she is “always looking for a theme that is original.”

However, “Copycat” is actually the first exhibit of its kind at the gallery and gives artists a unique opportunity, she says.

Many artists come into the gallery and worry that their artistic idea has been done before, says Musial. So, she wanted to focus this exhibit on letting that idea go, she says.“Let’s just run with the idea of using something you’ve already seen before,” she said.

Inspirations for the pieces include Wayne Thiebaud, a Californian painter known for his colorful depictions of household objects and food, Pop artist Jasper Johns and classic painters like Vincent Van Gogh.

For Musial, who is an artist herself (“I am an artist, but not in an educated way”) “Copycat” takes away some of the fear that comes with creating art.

“I think it’s a very freeing thing because it allows you to take a piece that you’ve loved and work with it yourself,” she says. “It kind of draws you closer to that artist, someone that you admire, someone that you’ve been inspired by.”

Learn more at vacavilleartgallery.org

If you go …

WHAT: “Copycat” Exhibit reception

WHEN: Feb. 22, 6-8 p.m.

WHERE: Vacaville Art League and Gallery, 718 E. Monte Vista Ave., Vacaville.