Art is regularly used as a means to explore and communicate complex issues to a sophisticated viewer. It is, more often than it should be, a high-brow discipline that fails to inspire interest in anyone beyond its niche audience. But each summer, Sandy Pohl, of Louis Pohl Gallery, provides a bridge for artwork to connect with ordinary people.

Of course, in looking at this page, you've already guessed her secret. “;All Pets Big and Small”; centers on the animals that hold the keys to our hearts. It is an exhibit that people keep asking about through the year.

“;People come in just for this show,”; Pohl says. “;They just stand there and tell me about their favorite pet when they were a kid. 'He looked just like that one,' they say. The show touches them.”;

What Pohl finds most interesting is that the artists' personalities are reflected in the representations of their pets.

“;You'd never imagine they have such quirky personalities,”; she quips. “;You can see how they observe the animals, how much they love their animals.”;

Pohl says so many artists want to participate in the exhibit each year that she has to turn some away. “;There's only so much space on these walls.”;

But it's gratifying for Pohl that the show resonates with both artists and audience. It proves her theory that we all need to lighten up every now and again.

“;I do this every year because I need a fun thing to do, and this is the happiest show I have,”; she says. “;We need to not be so serious all the time. This is just a fun show.”;