ART SHOW NOT JUST DESERTS ANYMORE.

Byline: Daily News

LANCASTER - When Lancaster Museum Art Gallery hosted its first juried all-media art exhibition at its 1986 opening, 80 percent of the art was paintings of American Indians, desert landscapes and wildflowers.

The 21st annual show that opens Saturday will display abstract pieces, digital photos, sculptures made from junk found in the desert, aviation art and computer graphics - as well as desert scenes and portraits.

``It's nice to see people exploring more,'' museum/art gallery curator Norma Gurba said. ``We like that.''

The show - called ``juried'' because a professional artist judges submissions and picks the best for exhibition - has changed both because of newcomers to the valley and because longtime residents are exploring different styles in art, Gurba said.

The 1986 show drew many entries from students of noted Antelope Valley artist Charles LaMonk, who was known for portraits of American Indians and petroglyph art. LaMonk died in 1990.

Artists showing now range from self-taught to professionals, from teenagers and younger children to retirees.

``It's nice to see different styles and different pieces,'' Gurba said.

The number of artists submitting entries rose this year to 139, who submitted 280 pieces. Last year, 120 artists submitted 259 works.

Artist and professional juror Christine Hogan picked 153 works by 109 artists - both professional and amateurs - for the 2006 show. She also determined the winners of more than $1,000 in cash awards from local arts groups.

The awards will be announced Saturday at the exhibition's opening reception, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, 44801 Sierra Highway. Admission is free.

In an annual tradition by the Antelope Valley Arts Association, association member David Faust's works will be showcased during the exhibit.

The museum/art gallery opened in January 1986 in a refurbished former supermarket.

After Lancaster voters formed the city government seven years earlier, the city bought the vacant market as a potential City Hall. City Hall eventually opened in another downtown building six blocks west.

The former supermarket became the museum/art gallery as well as headquarters for the Antelope Valley Union High School District.

The exhibit runs through March 12. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.

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(1 -- 3 -- color; 1 color in AV edition only; 2--3 ran in AV edition only) The 21st annual juried art exhibition at the Lancaster Museum Art Gallery, which opens Saturday, features 153 works by 109 artists. Top, left to right, Jeri Leyba, Jessica Neighbors and Jennifer Priscaro look at ``Where the Antelope Play'' by Donna Weil. Left, Joni Pettingill puts up and acrylic titled ``Thoughts and Reflections'' by David Walker; a photo called ``South Lake Bishop Creek'' by Bill Albrecht is on the right. Above is ``The Pirate,'' a mixed-media piece by Randy Barnicki. The exhibition runs through March 12.

(4 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) Oil painting ``Desert Sun'' by Diana Blum is one of 153 works at this year's art exhibition at Lancaster Museum Art Gallery.

(5 -- 6 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) Anybody want to suggest some titles? Museum aides, right, Jessica Neighbors and Jeri Leyba set up Jonathan Baker's untitled mixed-media art in advance of Saturday's opening. Above right, Elizabeth Mehaffy's untitled work is one in which you may remember the faces but not the name.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer