An art gallery at William Woods University will feature the work of a nationally renowned artist.
Featuring his work in the gallery is a return to the foundation of what art is all about, artist Ed Smith said.
"A lot of times, artists forget what the hell the point is," he said. "The point is to communicate with people. A lot of people will want to sell work and be preaching to the choir."
Smith said a visit to small-town America is an opportunity for him to connect with Callaway County artists of all ages.
"What's great about William Woods and the Midwest is you can use art as a communication device," he said. "If I can take my story and impress these young people, then I've done something great. Also, when you get the chance to talk to artists in the Midwest, you realize there should be no hierarchy."
The art hierarchy is easy to get caught up in, but Smith said his father's lifelong influence has been essential for keeping him grounded.
"My father was a Marine Corps drill instructor," he said. "He was tough as nails and still is. The way he lived his life showed me how life should be lived."
Also, his father encouraged him to be aware of who he keeps company with, Smith said.
"He made it clear to me to try to surround myself with people who are smarter than me," he said. "I've worked with some of the greatest artists in the world and was privileged enough to call them friends."
Smith said his work has even been noticed by Bruce Springsteen. He recalled a time when Springsteen, who had called him on the phone, told him he liked his work.
"That was a really big thing," he said, laughing. "So I told him, 'Thanks, I like your stuff too!'"
However, Smith said he constantly keeps in touch with what motivates him as an artist, which can be a mixed emotion.
"I don't know that I have any inspiration, I have fear," he said. "What am I scared of? I'm scared I won't be any good. My inspiration is fear of not measuring up."
An artist toils for a considerable amount of time about which medium they will use to tell their story, Smith said.
"Probably the biggest difficulty an artist has is finding the right medium," he said. "It's sort of like when you buy a car, you sit in it and try to feel everything out. That's very similar to what we're doing as an artist when we start anything."
Smith said his choice for a majority of his series, graphite on paper, provides a simple yet beautiful way to use shading and lines to portray emotion. The series also includes statues, some of which are on display at the gallery.
"One of the nice things about graphite is its softness," he said. "It really transforms itself on paper. You're telling the story in a subdued manner and not screaming it. It has a lot of subtleties."
The featured art depicts mythological stories, such as Hercules, Agamemnon and mythical creatures, Smith said. However, the work is also deeply tied to the human experience.
"This work is all about excellence and the greatness of the human soul," he said. "You're not supposed to openly talk about your soul, your immortal soul, and what that is and who you are. When I draw this, this is me, that's myself."
About 30 pieces are featured in the gallery, which is nowhere near the number of pieces which are part of the series, Smith said.
"When I started this series, I thought I would do 12 drawings, the 12 labors of Homer," he said. "Now, it's up to about 1,500 drawings."
Smith said his pieces organically flow from one to another over a period of time.
"Some can happen in the course of an hour," he said. "Some can happen in the course of a year. Being an artist, one of the biggest things is having criteria for finish. (Another artist) said his criteria for finish is when the piece moves on to the next one."
Smith said the layout of the gallery adds clarity to the art.
"The director did a great job," he added. "They look especially good in this place."
Nicole Petrescu, gallery director at the college, said Smith's work was chosen by a committee of people involved with the art program at the college. His body of work, Petrescu said, has many emotional themes.
"It's the human drama," she said. "He's trying to portray that drama while making connections to Homer and mythology. He believes in human perfection, and he's trying to portray that excellence and perfection are still possible; I guess he's an optimist."
Before presenting to a group of students and community members Thursday evening, Smith was hard at work as a guest professor, Petrescu said.
"He was in the classroom all day long," she said. "We really stretched him thin."
Featuring Smith's work in the gallery also helps students connect with the global art culture, Petrescu said.
"It's always open to students and it really connects them to the culture," she added. "The arts are general to the contemporary culture, and what's going on. I want students to be exposed to the culture as it's presented to us."
Smith's work will be on display at the Mildred M. Cox Gallery in the Woods Kemper Center for the Arts until Oct. 8.
