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Art of Comics on Display in the BerkshiresBy Peter Dudek
Special to iBerkshires
02:26PM / Saturday, August 02, 2008
 | | 'The Art of Joe Staton' opens tonight at the Storefront Artists Project.' |
A Comics Collection
If you are looking for a more light-hearted look at art, two comic exhibitions are available this August in the Berkshires.
"A Serious Look at the Funnies" opened last Saturday at the Sheffield Historical Society, where Paul Banevicius is displaying his collection of drawings by comic strip artists.
Included are tear sheets (actual pages from newspapers) as well as reproductions of known and obscure comic strips. It turns out that the average comic strip has a shelf life of two to three years so there are some rarities in this grouping.
Banevicius, chairman of the art department at Berkshire School, began collecting cartoon sketches as a child and now has nearly 600 original drawings by comic strip and comic book artists, editorial cartoonists, caricaturists, and illustrators.
 Paul Banevicius, left, Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Lawrence Klein and local cartoonis Todd Casey at the opening of 'A Serious Look ...' |
In addition to the historical aspects, this show takes an educational look at the funnies with images organized into categories: "Birth of a New Art Form," "Flights of Fancy," "Social Relevance" and "The Adventure Years."
The exhibit covers from the late 19th century up to today with old-school contributions of "Jungle Jim," "Flash Gordon," "Blondie," "Henry" and "The Little King."
Of particular interest are the sketches that are dedicated to Banevicius, and he told the story of how when he first started collecting drawings he would often write an artist to ask for a drawing, many of which are on display.
At the time he had heard that Bob Kane, the creator of Batman, was in Los Angeles so Banevicius found Kane's address in the L.A. phone book and wrote him asking for a drawing. He got a letter back with a drawing, but it was from a chemical engineer named Bob Kane, and the drawing was of a chemical diagram (this drawing is not in the show).
Amongst the opening crowd was a woman who as a child lived across the street from the man who modeled for the original Flash Gordon. Also present were Lawrence Klein (founder of the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) and local cartoonist Todd Casey.
"A Serious Look at the Funnies" is at the Historical Society's newest acquisition, the Old Stone Store gallery, on the Green in Sheffield.
Gallery Hours: Saturdays 10 to 2 and Sundays 11 to 3 or by appointment. For more information: 413-229-1129, shs@sheffieldhistory.org or www.sheffieldhistory.org.
Scooby-Doo and Batman, too
Klein is curating a show that opens today, Aug. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Storefront Artist Project.
"The Art of Joe Staton" is a collaborative exhibit between the Storefront and the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art with original drawings by "Scooby-Doo" illustrator Staton and a large program of kid-centic activities.
 A visitor peruses Banevicius' collection of comics at the Sheffield Historical Society.
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Staton's work on Batman, E-Man and Scooby-Doo have made him a well-known figure in the contemporary world of comic art. The exhibit will focus on his contributions to Scooby-Doo and Batman. Staton will be at the opening tonight and will host a drawing workshop on Sunday, Aug. 3, from noon to 2.
The monthlong program also includes:
- Aug. 6 — "Comic Book Theater" from noon to 1 Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe.
- Aug. 9 — Local cartoonist Todd Casey will conduct a drawing workshop that emphasizes the use of individual style from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Aug. 14 — "Making Monsters with Marc Wrzesinski" from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Aug. 13 — An artist's salon from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Aug. 17 — Educator and author Tim Callahan leads a session on how to create super-powered characters and stories from noon to 2.
- Aug. 21 — Pittsfield's 3rd Thursday celebration includes "Joe Staton" from 5 to 8 p.m. sponsored by Berkshire Gas.
- Aug. 23 — Jim Salicrup, editor-in-chief of Papercutz, the youth-friendly publisher of Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Tales from the Crypt, and the Classics Illustrated library and author Stefan Petrucha of the Nancy Drew graphic novels, will talk about writing, art, publishing and review the artwork and writings of those attending from noon to 3.
- Aug 30 — Closing reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 and by appointment. Storefront Artist Project is located at 124 Fenn St., Pittsfield; for more information, 413-442-7201, mail@storefrontartist.org or www.storefrontartist.org. |
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