Calling all artists

The walls are jammed at Huntington Art Center.It’s hard to be the center of attention at this exhibition.

Sandwiched on the end of a gallery wall at the Huntington Beach Art Center sit two of Ruth Geller’s mixed-media pieces, collages of photography, acrylic paint and political commentary.

While the pieces easily stand out on their own, when placed on the wall adjacent to a dozen other works, her “America’s Future” and “Around Town” seem to fuse together with the other paintings into an odd blend of acrylic and energy.

“They can see it as a whole thing and then separate everything and find the space in between,” Geller said.

The Huntington Beach hair stylist is one of dozens of artists participating in this year’s annual “Centered on the Center” art exhibit. The show allows any artist to showcase two of his or her paintings in a gallery space.

This year’s show contains dozens of photographs, paintings, sketches and sculptures.

Curator Darlene DeAngelo organizes the works by theme and hangs similar pieces together. Many of the walls in the gallery are crammed with art -- sometimes hundreds of pieces.

“It’s organized chaos,” Geller joked, looking at a smaller gallery wall that had been filled with abstract art. At first glance, it seems a little daunting. Geller pointed out that the pieces don’t necessarily have to be viewed individually, but can be seen together in a larger context with the surrounding art.

The exhibition draws in a large viewing audience and remains a local favorite in Huntington Beach.

“It’s a community kind of event,” said artist Anna Friesen, who was presenting two mixed-media pieces she created using soot as an artistic medium. “It’s less about you and more about a group of artists.”

DeAngelo said the exhibit was conceived during the early years of the gallery as a way to connect community members to artists. Each year the exhibition continues to grow and attract new talent.

“From the beginning it’s been about giving artists a venue to express themselves without being judged,” she said. “And the popularity continues to grow. It’s become a cultural institution.”20060126ito0rancDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / INDEPENDENT(LA)Ruth Geller shows off her “America’s Future,” top, and “Around Town,” now on display as part of the “Centered on the Center” exhibit at the Huntington Beach Art Center.