Now, more than 35 years later, he's at it again—but this time in his role as the art department chairman at the high school.

Downs coordinates "The Best of Los Gatos High School" show that runs May 5 to 26 at the Art Museum of Los Gatos, 4 Tait Ave. at Main Street.

More than 200 students will have works of art—including drawings, ceramics, paintings, sculptures and photographs—on display as the museum hosts the event for the 10th straight year.

"Ten years ago we started doing it on a regular basis [at the museum]," Downs said. "It's one of the neatest and one of the most intimate venues for art you can imagine."

The show includes works from the school's sculpture class for the first time and also includes both digital and traditional black-and-white photography.

"It's a full department show and will showcase kids' work from freshmen to seniors," Downs added. "It's a pretty darn good representation of the department."

The high school art show, held at local venues during Downs' high school days, became a district art show in the 1970s and was moved to Montalvo. In subsequent years, Los Gatos and Saratoga students displayed their work at the El Paseo and Westgate shopping centers before Los Gatos split off to hold its own show in the 1990s. Thanks to the efforts of the members of the Los Gatos Art Association, the Art Museum of Los Gatos agreed to host the high school show, and it has remained there for a decade.

The show begins with a public reception on May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. The display will remain at the museum through May 26.