Once again, Atkinson Gallery illuminates City College and the community with its brilliant and most recent endeavor, Small Images.

The 27th annual Small Images exhibition began Oct. 5 and will continue to occupy the Gallery on West Campus until Nov. 2.

“Small Images is a wonderful introduction to the regional art scene,” said Sarah Cunningham, Atkinson Gallery director and the show’s curator and juror. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to meet so many artists and to review their work first hand.”

The only criterion for submitting the miniature art was its size, which could be no larger than 18-inches in any direction, including the frame. The gallery received 281 entries from 137 artists and narrowed it down to a final 54 pieces from 43 artists, now displayed in the exhibit.

Zacarius Paul and Saul Hildenbrand, artists from the Can(n)on Group, won first prize for their 2D piece, “Study of Line Under Dubious Circumstances” and Ojai sculptor Sandra Torres won first prize for her 3D piece, “Sake Set.” The juror’s prize was awarded to abstract portrait artist Connie Connally for “Facing 60 – Shelley.”

Although most of the artists are from the Santa Barbara area, one artist from Oregon had family members deliver their entry.

Each participant in the exhibit was worthy of an honorable mention. Cunningham noted that the selection of winners was almost instantaneous and 50 percent panning was all it took for the best to be evident.

Nina Warner, recently retired associate art professor and department chair, had an exquisite pair of oil paintings of the beautiful redwoods framed in the cherished wood.  Like so many of the works in the show, they are simply lovely examples of artists doing what they love the most.

The collection also includes etchings, pen and ink renderings, monochromatic portraits collage, etchings, a whimsical and cast bronze sculptures, a delicately refined sake set, and some photography—even an image taken with an iPod.

“This is the first time I’ve seen an iPod drawing in an art show,” said art major Lauren Peikert. “I’ve been to about four shows recently and this exhibit is my favorite selection because of its variety of medium, color and artists.”

Another group of spectators agreed and then pointed out Frank Krifka’s oil painting of a Tootsie-Pop.  This classically rendered American favorite is masterfully lavished on copper rather than canvas or board. It has a life of its own complete with gesture, light, texture and form. This piece was one of the most delightful pieces in the exhibit.

Gallery talk with the juror, Sarah Cunningham, will be Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.