Some of Santa Barbara’s most talented artists arrived last Friday night to see their works in what is the oldest art exhibit on the West Coast.

The night was thick with people and paint. Shoulder to shoulder, people mingled and bumped into one another as they talked it up about their days and of the encompassing art. Light, jazzy music played in the background and mixed with the laughter of the joyous guests.

The “Small Images” exhibit held in the Atkinson Gallery is the longest running annual art exhibition on the West Coast. “Small Images” features the work of students and the Santa Barbara community as a whole.

Almost 300 people submitted works to be judged, yet only a few stand outs received a place in the gallery. There were sculptures, photography, paintings and drawings. Local and internationally known artist Alison Saar judged the event.

“I like all the different styles,” said Atkinson Gallery intern, Kelly Wheeler of Saar’s picks. “It was a really good experience to see what she chose.”

The art is eloquent and eclectic in a way not seen on a daily basis. Some pieces were strange and others thoughtful. The collection of works was eye-catching and revealing.

“Overall I like the variety,” said artist and City College student Matt Woodford.

A sculpture called “Experience the Thrill of Hunting With the V.P.” was of a duck that had shotgun shells jutting from its sides, an antenna reaching from its back and a door hinge where its tail was. This piece, done by local artist Chas Christian, won an honorable mention.

A painting named “Headed West” was colored with vibrant orange, yellow and green. The painting depicted a woman with a slight smile, chaos surrounding her while her breasts took different directions. The artist, Marilyn Kandus, was excited to show her art in the exhibit, after dealing with an injury to her arm.

“Small was all I could do,” said Kandus about her painting.”There’s still a little sadness, though it’s still funny.”

One of the photos featured at “Small Faces,” by Peggy Grossman, was of a fish tank of Koi and a man off to the side in a white coat. The photo was mysteriously intriguing in black and white as if walking through a beautiful insane asylum.

“Blue Woman” by City College student Emily Cobb, was a painting of a sculpture she saw in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. It hung on the wall, bright blue, headless and with her breasts exposed.

“I’m just kind of putting myself out there for the first time,” Cobb said. “I entered on a fluke.”

Making an appearance is all about looking the best and standing out in a crowd. The art in “Small Images” makes an appearance that has viewers doing double takes all night long.

The exhibit will show until Dec. 7.