Jack Balas, 2025; PICTURE THIS (#2716) (A True Story); India ink & acrylic on paper, 18x24 inches

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Picture this:
1) A high school gym, a snowy Saturday in February, eight wrestling teams at a regional meet. Balmy inside, shouts, cheers, muscle gleaming in sweat, soaked singlets pulled down. Buzzers. More cheers.
2) A few yards away down a hallway a boy in a wheelchair crying his eyes out into the arms of a woman standing next to him there. I had brought my camera for the 1st scene. The 2nd has been burned into my memory over 20 years ago. I will take it with me to my grave.