It’s for you . . .

IT began with a simple call: Create art from a telephone. Nearly 200 artists, politicians, celebrities and athletes, many from Los Angeles, answered. The result is “Show&Tel;: Art of Connection,” an eclectic exhibition at the Zimmer Children’s Museum. Some participants, such as Tom Lasorda, used stickers as their primary medium. Others -- usually artists -- were more off the hook, such as Yaron Meiri wrapping a mannequin in phone cords and Rob Dobson gilding a receiver to create “The Phoney Award.” Among other names: Paula Abdul, Buzz Aldrin, Tony Hawk, Alicia Keys and George Lopez. Of course, when it comes to celebrities, one has to wonder if they had, um, help. “It’s truly for anyone to guess,” says museum chief executive Esther Netter. “As far as we know, everyone did create their own phone.” Most pieces will be auctioned Sept. 21-28 (www.gottahaveit.com) to benefit the youTHink education program.

-- Leslee Komaiko

“Show&Tel;: Art of Connection,” Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100, L.A. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Through Sept. 10. $5, adults; $3, children.

(323) 761-8994; www.zimmermuseum.org