Would you wear a pendant that's the color and tone of human flesh? Or earrings made from metal-plated popcorn? These items and more are some of the cutting-edge artistry that will be featured in "Hot Stuff: Contemporary Sculptural Jewelry," the new exhibit at the Manhattan Beach Art Center.

The exhibit, which runs from April 13 through June 17, will feature more than 40 works of celebrated artists Jill Baker Gower, Jessica Calderwood, and Rachel Shimpock.

An opening reception for the exhibit is scheduled for Friday, April 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Gower, who says her jewelry is "informed by the female experience," takes inspiration from  female forms, faceted gems, and historic metalwork and jewelry. She incorporates skin, red, and pink-toned colors in her artwork to reflect human flesh, cosmetics, the body, and blood.

Calderwood is an image-maker and sculptor who primarily works with metal and enamel. She aims to create statements about contemporary life through both traditional and industrial metal-working processes.

Shimpock, who describes herself as "both a metalsmith and a proud foodie," is best known for her electroforming, or metal plating, of food objects. Her works explore the union of food object and ornament, or as she puts it, "eating your cheeseburger and wearing it too."

The gallery will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Shimpock will be the featured speaker at a "Late Night at the Library" talk on Friday, May 18, at 8:00 p.m. at the Manhattan Beach Library.