They know how to draw--crowds even

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By TOM MOORE
Four former Beacon Journal artists really know how to draw a crowd.

And not just with a pen.

Friday night at the Upstairs Gallery off High Street, the rooms were wall-to-wall with their works and wall-to-wall with people.

Chuck Ayers, Dennis Balogh, Derf and Art Krummel official opened their exhibition with a bang.

And it brought back memories to this old codger (course that’s what old codgers do).

As former BJ folks mingled in the crowd talking with old friends and admiring the masterpieces displayed, Chuck remarked that it was great to see so many old friends turn out and it wasn’t even a funeral this time.

These guys have every right to be proud of their works. They were the backbone of a great family…carefully handing even the mundane task that came their way…like touching up a photo to remove a blemish (of course this was before “the truth in photos law was established in the world of political correct).

On an occasion or two things might have gotten out of hand. One artist, and I don’t remember who, noticed a smug on the forehead of a page one picture. (at that time, photos always went to the art department to size and look over before going to the engravers)

Anyway, the artist used his talent to give the guy a clean face. Unfortunately the photo was illustrating Ash Wednesday.

We went through a period of trying to find a funny to make out reads laugh. And it had to have an accompanying cartoon.

That lasted until somebody complained about a figure in one of the drawings not being politically correct and just might be offensive to somebody.

But if you had a problem such as no photos for a story, they’d come up with a great illustration…and one that clearly told the story.

Many times, when laying out the News and Views section at vacation time, I’d have no idea for an illustration. But these artists solved the problem, taking the story, reading it, and coming up with just the right solution.

So this galleRy is well worth a visit to relive some of the old times and see the “works of art” they’ve created over the years.

Hours for the exhibit are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday.