ASTORIA — RiverSea Gallery turns an eye to otherworldly antics with the group show “Mayhem and Magic: The Gods and Goddesses Are Back.”

Artists were asked to depict how ancient deities might manifest in today’s world and encouraged to use introspection, flights of fancy and irreverent humor to interpret the theme. An opening night reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 during Astoria’s Second Saturday Art Walk, and the artwork will remain on view through March 7.

Deities and magical beings from bygone cultures may not be worshiped today, but many of their aspects have survived through myth and legend to influence how we perceive ourselves, our relationships and the structure of society. In this show, ancient divinities and creatures of myth transcend their original cultural identities and adapt to the modern age.

View painting, printmaking, mixed-media and sculpture by 12 invited artists: Roberta Aylward, Benz & Chang, Alea Bone, Tara Murino-Brault, Stephanie Brockway, Michelle Gallagher, Jill McVarish, Jesse Narens, Stacy Polson, Meghann Sprague, Deborah Unger and Samyak Yamauchi.

The show offers a panoply of interpretations, both serious and tongue-in-cheek. Astoria artist Jill McVarish depicts Artemis, Minerva and Terpsichore from Greek legends as three female characters from the television series “Twin Peaks.”

Portland printmaker Tara Murino-Brault explores symbolism, mortality, rebirth and power in her etchings interpreting Medusa, a harpy, and the archangel Gabriel.

Stacy Polson, a fiber artist from Portland, decorates a needle-felted urn with Anubis playing on his iPhone and the pharaoh commanding a drone.

Deborah Unger, a wood sculptor from Mt. Angel, illustrates the story of Daphne and Apollo with contemporary figures.

RiverSea Gallery is located at 1160 Commercial St. For more information, call 503-325-1270, or visit riverseagallery.com