The Wylie and May Louise Jones Gallery is hosting an exhibit of artwork by local junior and senior high school students.

The show, called “The Panorama Invitational,” features works of art from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Traditional painting, drawing and photography, as well as metal-working and sculpture, are all represented.

“The individual teachers are allowed to submit up to five works of art. The teachers decide what work gets into the exhibit,” said Margaret Nowling, curator of the Jones Gallery, regarding the criteria for being in the show.

One notable piece is “Untitled” by Mosiah Rasmussen. Rasmussen used graphite and color pencils to create life-like portraits on planks of ordinary wood.

Another outstanding work is a “The Mayan Calendar” by Alejandro Marquez, which is a Mayan calendar created entirely out of copper panels.

At the entrance to the exhibit is a piece by Aaron Ughoc called “Esqueleto.” The student used wire to create a small sculpture of a man playing the guitar.

“They have a lot of talent,” said Bakersfield College student Magali Vidal about the exhibit.

“Every year the exhibit seems of a higher caliber than the last,” said Nowling. “I enjoy seeing what the high school students are up to and what projects the high school art teachers assign their students.”

Nowling explained that the goal of the annual event is to give exposure to artists that might not otherwise be highlighted.

“The Panorama Invitational is an opportunity to showcase the work of area high school artists. This exhibit is the first time many of them see their work in a professional setting. Since their work is being shown with their peers’ they see the importance of doing a good job. Also, it is an opportunity for the students and their teachers to see what type of  art work is being done at other schools.”

The Wylie and May Louise Jones Gallery is located just inside the entrance to the Grace Van Dyke Bird Library.

The Panorama Invitational runs Feb. 1-22.