“Jellyfish, A Rhythm in Blue” has attracted and entertained countless spectators since its opening just three years ago. The jellyfish exhibit, located at the Akron Zoo, is the largest of its kind in the state, featuring 10 different tanks and a touch pool where guests can encounter live sea creatures firsthand. As popular as the exhibit is, the zoo has decided it’s time for a change: After the current exhibit closes on October 31, construction will begin to make way for a coral reef-themed exhibition. Local Cuyahoga Falls artist and gallery owner Amy Mothersbaugh-Roos is taking on the challenge to help with the design, and hopes to make the new show not only a sea-life experience, but a celebration of fine art as well. Roos has a very distinct style of painting for the art that will become part of the new exhibit. What started as small notecards turned into much larger canvas pieces. “I translated my little tiny art style on to a huge canvas,” she said. She begins by painting a simple acrylic base. Nothing looks like much more than some undefined blocks of color. Then with her signature Sharpie markers, she begins adding intricate focal points, with very finely detailed backgrounds and outlines. “If you look at my art, it’s really a drawing at all points, but if you take the actual drawing off the top of it, it is no way a completed picture,” she said. “I really enjoy doing that.” Earlier in the year Roos, along with seven other artists, had been nominated to design the “First Night” badge for Akron’s annual New Year’s celebration. After submitting a complete portfolio and original artwork, however, she was not selected to design the badge. Disappointed, she was given some encouraging words from her son, who reminded her what an opportunity the nomination itself was, and decided to devote more time to improving herself as an artist. When Roos went to pick up her portfolio, the committee was curious about her work and the process she goes through to complete a piece. Impressed with the fact that everything was hand-drawn, they suggested she contact the Akron Zoo. Her patient, detail-oriented style, coupled with her love of sea creatures, would be a perfect match with one of their upcoming projects, the committee felt. Eventually, Roos did get in touch with organizers at the Akron Zoo, and before long, she had received news of the current project, which the zoo wanted her to consider. After a few phone calls and meetings, Roos was given the opportunity of a lifetime — filling their new coral reef exhibit literally wall-to-wall with her artistic talent. “It’s pretty huge, and I think it’s perfect timing. I’m ready,” she said. “I feel really blessed. I mean, this is what I’ve always wanted.” Construction on the new exhibit begins in November and won’t be completed until January. This gives Roos plenty of time to bring her ideas together and figure out the process required to finish the project. “I have been doing a lot of research on coral to get everything as scientifically accurate as possible,” she said. Not only will Roos be brainstorming for the next few months, she has also proposed an installation piece for Akron’s “First Night” festivities this year. Her plans are to create an indoor underwater environment, complete with blue-green lighting, painted creatures and seaweed inside a long canvas tent. Roos, never having done anything quite so big, is excited for the challenge — as well as the opportunity to practice for the larger-than-life murals come springtime. “I will be so excited to open that first giant bucket of paint,” said Roos. “I feel the zoo has given me great preliminary plans and ideas on how they want it to look but then I get to add my own style to those plans. All artists dream about these kinds of moments — their art being seen and appreciated by thousands.”