“Szukalski: Drawings” opens February 2 at Cal State Fullerton’s Begovich Gallery, with a reception  at the gallery from 5-8 p.m.  Born in Poland in the late 19th century, Stanislav Szukalski lived,  for a few decades until his death in 1987, in Southern California where his influence was profound and  ability to sculpt and draw legendary.

Szukalski admirers include Rick Griffin, Jim Woodring, underground comic book writer George DiCaprio and DiCaprio’s rather famous son Leonardo,  and Robert and Suzanne Williams. Robert Williams said about Szukalski:

Szukalski fits the definition of genius, his observations, though in question, were brilliant.

The exhibition at the Cal State Fullerton Begovich Gallery is the first  to focus on his more than 14,000 surviving drawings. Many of the drawings in “Szukalski: Drawings” have never been seen publicly. All works in “Szukalski: Drawings,” curated by Mike McGee, Director of the Exhibition Design/Museum Studies Program at Cal State Fullerton and an Associate Professor in the Department of Art, were selected from the ARCHIVES SZUKALSKI, courtesy of Glenn Bray and Lena Zwalve. (An extensive catalog including exclusive essays and artwork specifically from the “Szukalski: Drawings” exhibition will be released at a later date).

The show runs through March 7.

Note: The gallery is closed Sunday and Fridays. Parking is free on Saturdays for Begovich Gallery at Cal State Fullerton, but requires a permit Monday through Thursday.  For more details on parking visit  parking.fullerton.edu.