Small works, indeed! Though diminutive in size, 12" or less, the creations of different media make an impressive presentation in the Burnett Gallery of Gualala Arts. Opening on February 11 to an enthusiastic gathering, the juried exhibit is the art center's first venture into the reduced dimensions, always a popular show in other communities.

Rising to the challenge of the specifications, artists condensed their images into the very essence of their concept, deleting any extraneous elements. The smallest entry, a mere 2.5" square, is Suzanne Hansen's beaded "Humming Bird" box. Completely hand sewn, there are no added supports, just glass beads that intersect at the three angles of the triangle. Delicately, but well-defined on each of the three sides, are hummingbirds that are recognizable to residents of our north coast.

The three dimensional art of turned wood, carved stone, glass, woven baskets, gourds, decoupage box, and clay are positioned on large clusters of pillars that set off the delicacy of the works that reside on their tops. Among them are two abstract, gravity defying arrangements of small blocks of wood, by Herbert Korner, that angle out into space, both in complete balance.

Interspersed on the walls are oil and watercolor paintings, photography, pencil drawings, collages, some clustered in groupings, others, starkly alone on an expanse of white wall. The bright orange seascapes by Barbara Kelley draw one into the gallery and coax one to follow along the wall to discover other little works, some almost hidden, others bold in their brilliance.

The exhibit will remain through March 5th.

Gualala Arts Center is located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, and is open from 9 am to 4 pm weekdays, and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information.