“Since His Hair Turned Blue,” by Gallery 621 artist Robert Nelson, is a 12 X 12-inch reclaimed work featuring recycled materials such as a blue comb, sunglasses and a piece of a whiffleball over a painted backdrop. Nelson’s work is one of many featured in the gallery’s new exhibition “Perfect Square,” which will have its opening reception tomorrow. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

At Gallery 621, thinking small is thinking big. At least on canvas.

Last year, the First Street art gallery hosted its first juried exhibition “Microcosmos,” which exhibited works no larger than 12 x 12 inches. This year, they are doing a similar thing with the new exhibition “Perfect Square,” only the works are all 12 x 12- no more, no less.

The idea for the show came from participating artist Daniel Hunter, who had seen 6 X 6-inch works paired next to larger ones in various exhibits.

“Sometimes it’s hard to see other people’s work when there’s different sizes next to them,” he said. “We thought it would be nice to standardize the size. 12 x 12 seemed reasonable.

Gallery 621’s 11 member artists— Nikki Basch-Davis, Linda Stevenson Dunlop, Hunter, Daniel Klapprott, Marjorie Lutz, Cherry Moore, Robert Nelson, Kathy Oja, Stephen Schumm, Lee Wilder Snider and Jerrold Turner— were given a call to create 12 x 12-inch works using various styles. However, to make up for how small the paintings were, they all created five works each instead of just one. Artists used a variety of styles, including acrylic, ceramic, collage, mixed media and oil painting.

Basch-Davis said she was most impressed with the variety.

“You have 11 people given the same format (and) the same frame— you couldn’t play around with the frames— and say ‘Just go for it,’” she said. “It just created 11 different voices.”

Snider agreed.

“There’s a lot of people who have come at different times (to our gallery), and it was so cool for me to walk in and see all the different voices and think of those who have been in the gallery before, those who are in the gallery, and who knows what goes in the future,” she said. “It’s just exciting to see all the voices.”

Additionally, the paintings on display will be available to purchase for $250 with the funds going toward the gallery.

“People are excited because they can’t get works for this price,” Snider said. “They’re glad to have it affordable.”

“Perfect Square” will be on display through Jan. 1 at Gallery 621, located at 309 First St. The gallery is open from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. An opening reception will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5. Snider is hoping to set up a station outside with drawing paper for attendees to create their own 12 X 12-inch paintings. Be there, and see squares. For more information, contact the gallery at 297-6860.

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