A table full of food, bottles of wine, walls packed with art and handfuls of people … mix all these things together and what do you get? A good gallery show; and that is exactly what happened last Friday night at the DeKalb Gallery, 161 E. Lincoln Highway.

It was the second-year anniversary of the gallery, which is owned by DeKalb resident Dan Grych. To celebrate this occasion, Grych exhibited some of his own work. He showed more than 20 black-and-white photographs documenting DeKalb.

Grych’s photos document the changes DeKalb was, and currently is, going through.

“DeKalb has an ambience,” he said. “It’s a nice place to live.”

Grych captured different points of view of DeKalb in a way that makes one feel reminiscent of times past.

He’s familiar with how DeKalb has changed, as he has lived here for 26 years. Grych graduated from NIU with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with an emphasis in painting and drawing. He also has had various jobs in Media Services (formerly Art Photo) for 13 years.

“Up until this point, I’ve been preparing,” Grych said. “I’m very self-sufficient.”

Besides providing an art gallery for the city, Grych provides a framing service and slides for students.

“Being very versatile helps to stay open,” he said. “I love working with artists and love the different personalities.”

DeKalb residents Dave Fermanic and Shannon McCoy were at the gallery to enjoy Grych’s exhibit. It was their first visit to the gallery.

“The show is great. Lots of art and a big selection, too,” McCoy said. “Dan’s photos are aesthetically nice, and he did a nice job framing. We will be coming back.”

The rest of the work in the gallery is by local artists and teachers from the university. The work includes photos, paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics.Jenny Gembala photo

Artist and owner, Dan Grych, talks to partons Friday night

at the DeKalb gallery.