More than 200 students from 40 San Fernando Valley high schools displayed their best work for the 12th Annual High School Art Invitation, which opened Jan. 12 in the campus art gallery.

Six pieces of work selected by the art teacher from each school are displayed in the gallery until the end of this month.

‘By having the high school artists display their work, they also have the opportunity to compare their artistic performance with that of their peers and to consider CSUN, and more specifically the art department, as their destination for higher education,’ said Jim Sweeters, interim director of CSUN’s Art Galleries.

Various types of media are spread through out the gallery in a rhythmic fashion and might also strike a chord if assembled back to the natural form.’ Kendall Follert transposed an actual cello into a carved piece that embodies a Spanish woman dancing.’

Other exhibitors like Ivan Ballinas challenge street taggers to get their art where it belongs’mdash;in an art gallery.’ His title piece, ‘Controlled Chaos,’ uses spray paint and marker on canvas to illustrate city life downtown.’

Many of the exhibitors were trained by art teachers, who received their training at CSUN, said Michelle Giacopuzzi, the exhibition’s coordinator.

The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and on Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m. A closing reception will be given on Friday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m., where certificates of merit will be awarded.

For more information regarding the exhibit, call the gallery at (818) 677-2156.