Cathy Zander and Beth Mostovoy stand in front of their paintings at Main Street Cafe & Books.

Silicon Valley Open Studios 2006, now in its 20th year, will feature 21 artists from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills among approximately 330 artists participating in this year’s event.

Residents will display their artwork in their homes May 6 and 7, the first of the event’s three weekends in May.

In addition, there are 22 artists from Mountain View participating.

As a preview, members of the Open Studios board and steering committee have works on display through April 30 at Main Street Cafe & Books, 134 Main St., Los Altos. A reception for the artists is scheduled 4:30-6 p.m. Monday in the cafe.

“The work covers a broad range, from watercolors to acrylics and oils,” said Los Altos painter Cathy Zander, a member of the Open Studios board. Zander’s work is among the 35 pieces on display.

Silicon Valley Open Studios is recognized as one of the oldest, largest and most popular art events in the Bay Area. It allows artists to showcase in a relaxed environment, their homes.

“Instead of a gallery, here you get to go to somebody’s studio and talk with the artist personally,” said artist Beth Mostovoy. “You get to hear their stories.”

For more information and locations, visit www.svos.org. The Web site includes times, maps for locations of the artist sites and names and sample works of the participating artists.