Yesterday I attended the opening reception of “Laugh Lines”, a group show of cartoonists at the Art-trium Gallery in Melville, Long Island, NY. It featured original works of the “Berndt Toast Gang”, the LI chapter of the National Cartoonists Society (named after a deceased member, Walter Berndt, who long ago created the comic strip “Smitty”).
I had gone to the reception hoping to get a chance to chat with the likes of Mad Magazine cartoonist Mort Drucker, fellow blogger Don Orehek and even fellow blogger Mike Lynch (an ex-Berndt Toaster who now lives in New Hampshire). Unfortunately, I had to leave the reception before it was over, and didn't get a chance to see either Drucker or Orehek (I really didn't think that Mike Lynch was planning to attend from so far away). My loss, if any of them showed up later.
A little mystery developed, however. Looking around the exhibition, I noticed that there were no works by Mort Drucker to be found anywhere (press releases for the show featured his name very prominently). I questioned one of the show's organizers, who said regretfully that Mr. Drucker had pulled his work out of the show the day before. She didn't give me a reason and couldn't offer any further explanation. So, as I said, there's a little mystery . . . perhaps someone reading this is in the know and can supply details?
Anyway, here are a few photos:
The Berndt Toast Gang . . . at least all of those in attendance before I left.
Me and Bunny Hoest in front of a couple of her “Lockhorns” panels. Her collaborator, John Reiner, was not in attendance.
Me checking out an original panel of “They'll Do It Every Time” by John Scaduto.
Me straightening out an original gag cartoon panel by Don Orehek.