Even if some of the young ones on American Idol don't seem to get the Beatles' mystique, a whole world out there still appreciates the Fab Four.

The artistry went beyond music, evidenced by a four-day show opening at the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon this morning showcasing works both old and new.

"The Beatles were one of the most visual acts around; everyone knows their names," said Scott Segelbaum, curator of "Revolution," a Beatles breakout from Mr. Segelbaum's larger, four-year-old touring "Rock Art Show."

"It's interesting that three out of the four were artists as well. John Lennon was an art school student [when he formed the beginning of the group]."

The show, which came to Pittsburgh two years ago in a slightly different form, is presented by two local radio stations.

"Pittsburgh is a great radio market and we have WDVE and 3WS and the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon in on this. It's great to have enthusiastic people behind a project like this."

Drawings and paintings by Mr. Lennon and Paul McCartney -- the latter's lithographs include a copy of his well-known Big Mountain Face --are featured in the free show, as well as more recent work by Ringo Starr.

"Ringo's on the road a lot and he's trapped in these hotel rooms, so he does these fun, whimsical drawings on his computer," Mr. Segelbaum said. "He started a charitable foundation [Lotus] with his wife, Barbara, and it's a neat way to raise money for charity."

Also in the collection: vintage photographs and memorabilia, such as a program from an art show Mr. Lennon and Yoko Ono did at Syracuse University. The program sells for $30; all of the items in Revolution are for sale at prices ranging as high as $4,000 for a hand-signed piece by Mr. McCartney, whose work also benefits various charities.

The Beatles didn't just dabble in art, said Mr. Segelbaum, there is real talent on display.

"You look at [McCartney's work] and you think 'Oh my, can this guy do everything, or what?' "

Those old enough to remember the parade of music-based Saturday-morning kiddie programs featuring the Jackson 5 and the Osmond Brothers will get a smile out of artist/director Ron Campbell's original pen-and-ink drawings from the Beatles' cartoon show.

He said he is pleased others find new appreciation for those early works, but is also somewhat amused.

"I really didn't know there was much of a market for animation [until recently] said Mr. Campbell from his home in Arizona.

"When you're working on it, you're only interested in that 35mm image on film. Once it's approved, you're left with this artwork, which you sometimes put in a gigantic attic and spend oodles of dollars to protect it over the years.

"One day in my studio, I had a big clean-out, threw thousands of cells into one of those hopsters [trash bins].

"A year later, I was wandering down a street and there was a guy with all those cells I'd thrown out, selling them," he said, laughing.

Mr. Moore, whose long animation career included the Beatles feature film "Yellow Submarine," the Smurfs," "George of the Jungle" and "Rugrats," is currently directing "Ed, Edd & Eddy."

"I saw cells from 'Yellow Submarine' on sale at Bloomingdale's in New York," he said. "Had I known, I wouldn't have thrown away all of it."

Mr. Segelbaum said Revolution is getting noticed by a younger crowd as well, thanks in part to director Julie Taymor's trippy 2007 movie "Across the Universe."

"They say 'I saw Across the Universe and got turned on to the Beatles.' It's the most cross-generational thing I've ever seen."

Mr. Segelbaum comes by his fandom honestly, calling the show "a labor of love."

About 10 years ago, he was working in Los Angeles when he got the chance to meet Mr. McCartney, who was appearing in New York.

"I flew from LA to New York, grabbed a cab, went to the studio, saw Paul, got my picture taken with him. ...

"I didn't even miss work."