People gather to look at artwork during a previous "Au Naturel" exhibit.

ASTORIA — A reception will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday for “Au Naturel: The Nude in the 21st Century,” a returning exhibit at Clatsop Community College’s Royal Nebeker Art Gallery.

Founded in 2007, the exhibit is a showcase of the nude human form that has served as a platform for drawing, painting and printmaking.

More than two dozen artists will participate this year, including local artists Roger Dorband, Drea Rose Frost, Anna Lee Larimore, Jordan Manchester, Paul Polson, Robert Paulmenn, Penny Treat and Carrie Williams.

This exhibit will honor Henk Pander, an influential Oregon artist who participated in, supported and juried past “Au Naturel” exhibitions. Pander, who died last year, was the recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award, among other honors. His work is shown in museums and collections around the world.

In contrast to past juried shows, the show is an invitational, co-curated by Kristin Shauck, the founding director of “Au Naturel,” and Ghislaine Fremaux, an associate professor of art at Texas Tech University.

“Au Naturel” is on view through March 14. For more details, visit www.clatsopcc.edu.