NORWICH – Last August, American cartoonist, humorist and illustrator Randy Glasbergen of Sherburne unexpectedly passed away leaving a void in the industry never to be filled.
Leaving behind a loving family and an indelible legacy of his own unique brand of wit and creativity, Glasbergen's works are still at the request of publishers around the globe even a year later.
“He really considered himself a writer above everything else,” said Karen Glasbergen, wife of the late cartoonist. “He spent the bulk of his time working up the 'gag' on a legal pad and quickly doodling out a concept for what the cartoon would eventually become; but he labored over his writing,” she said.
In honor of his achievements, and to pay homage to his impact on the local arts community, a collection of Glasbergen's selected works are on display at the Chenango Arts Council's Maria Brown & Raymond Loft Galleries at its 27 West Main St. location, Norwich. An exhibit opening featuring hors d'oeuvres and mini-margaritas will be held at the facility – admission free – on Friday, September 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Both literally and figuratively drawing inspiration from every aspect of his life, the late Glasbergen was a sponge of pop culture and the plight of the everyman.
“He was inspired by nearly everything around him, including his poor family,” joked daughter Christie Busce while arranging the installation at the Arts Council. “He absolutely loved to read, and especially enjoyed music.”
Randy began his professional cartooning career at age 15. While still attending Sherburne-Earlville high school, Glasbergens cartoons were published regularly in many major magazines, including Saturday Review, The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s Changing Times, Saturday Evening Post, Cosmopolitan and others.
After just two semesters of journalism studies at Utica College of Syracuse University, he left school in 1976 to pursue a full-time career as a freelance cartoonist. In addition to cartooning, Randy wrote text for hundreds of greeting cards for Hallmark Cards, American Greetings, and others.
In addition to a gallery full of Glasbergens iconic cartoons, a special installation of his workspace – mirrored after his home studio and recreated by his family – is on display in the Raymond Loft of the Chenango Arts Council's gallery space.
“It's laid out exactly like it was in his third floor studio of our home, maybe a litter cleaner,” said Karen.
Glasbergen's most popular "The Better Half" was syndicated by King Features Syndicate for 32 years, starting in 1982. At the end of syndication, "The Better Half" was appearing seven days a week in approximately 150 print and online newspapers around the world. With newspapers losing more and more readers to the Internet, Randy retired "The Better Half" at the end of 2014 to devote more time and energy to his cartoon licensing operation, Glasbergen Cartoon Service, which the family continues to operate today.
More than a dozen collections of Randy’s cartoons have been published in paperback and hardcover book form in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, and China. He is also the author of three bestselling North Light Books about the art and business of cartooning, Getting Started Drawing and Selling Cartoons, How To Be A Successful Cartoonist, and TOONS!
The Maria Brown Gallery and Raymond Loft within the Chenango Arts Council is admission free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday or by appointment.