BY PHILIP ZONKEL >LA.COM

Can an art exhibit on cultural diversity be a catalyst for people to appreciate and respect one another?

Officials in the city of Long Beach's Human Dignity Program and organizers of Bixby Knolls' First Fridays Long Beach program believe it can and have partnered for a cultural diversity art exhibit, which goes on display at 7 tonight at Oasis Gallery, located inside Chroma Glass Designs.

The Press-Telegram also is a partner in the show. The exhibit features work by four Long Beach artists as well as 27 photographs from the Press Telegram's archives. The works showcase the diversity of Long Beach residents, but cultural diversity encompasses more than just racial identity.

The photos spotlight people of various religions, sexual orientations, ages and disabilities: a blessing dance at a Cambodian New Year's celebration, a mother marching with her son in a gay pride parade, two gay men kissing, youth and the elderly volunteering together and athletes in the Special Olympics.

"We can use art to teach about diversity," says Melissa Morgan, Long Beach's human dignity officer, who worked with Krista Leaders of Chroma Glass Designs to organize the exhibit.

"People don't talk about race, sexual orientation or disabilities very much," Morgan says.

The goal of the city's human dignity program, which was established in 2000, is advancing peace and inclusivness throughout the city. The program's policy states: "Everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they practice, their sexual orientation, gender, or disability status. It is the right of all residents to pursue their daily lives with the knowledge that they will not be threatened with violence or physical harm."

The program promotes this policy with a variety of workshops aimed at preventing youth and gang violence and hate crimes. First Fridays Long Beach is a collaboration among a variety of Bixby Knoll businesses who, on the first Friday of each month, showcase art and artists.

The event, which is organized by Leaders, started in November and attracted about 40 people. Last month's gathering attracted almost 200 spectators and featured 10 locations.

Apart from opening some eyes with the art exhibit, Morgan and Leaders want to open a dialogue. Visitors to the exhibit receive a list of questions intended to spark debate on diversity and what it means: What do these photos make you think/feel? How do you interact with people who belong to a culture different from yours? Do you always feel comfortable expressing your culture?

"A lot of people feel we've (advanced) from the civil rights movement and the work is done, but it's not," Morgan says.

"We live in this diverse city, but there are still divisions."

Phillip Zonkel, (562) 499-1258, phillip.zonkel@presstelegram.com

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CULTURAL DIVERSITY ART EXHIBIT

>Where: Oasis Gallery, inside Chroma Glass Designs, 4242 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach; www.firstfridayslongbeach.com

>When: 7-10 tonight; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.- 6. a.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, until Oct. 31.

>Admission: free.