Geoffrey C. Smith (sculptor)

Geoffrey C. Smith
Smith's "Stuart Sailfish" is his most famous public work of art.
Born	(1961-06-00)June , 1961 San Francisco, California
Nationality	American
Education	Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
Known for	Sculpture, Photography
Movement	Representational Wildlife Sculpture
Website	www.geoffreycsmith.com

Geoffrey C. Smith (born 1961-) is an American bronze sculptor and photographer. He is a graduate of Montana State University, and currently resides in the coastal town of Stuart, Florida. His best-known work is that of the "Stuart Sailfish," an 18-foot monument situated in Downtown Stuart that serves as the iconic symbol of the city.

Early life

Geoffrey C. Smith was born in San Francisco, California in 1961 to Maurice Smith, a neurosurgeon, and homemaker Carolyn Smith.^[1] He is the middle child of three sons. His family enjoyed activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and sailing. Thus, such an upbringing prompted Smith to develop a passion for the natural world and an appreciation and admiration for the animals within it.^[1]

Smith's interest in artistry was subsequently inspired and cultivated by his maternal grandfather Charles. A polymath with extensive artistic capabilities, he was a renowned wood carver, and passed the interest in artistry onto his grandsons.

By the age of 15, the Geoffrey had begun to carve high-quality wooden duck decoys, and despite his young age, he soon realized many of his patrons were veteran collectors.^[2] Because of his love for animals, Smith's work focused almost exclusively on that of wildlife.

He continued to hone his skills in wood carving when he entered Montana State University to major in economics.^[1] Though he focused on his core studies, and graduated with honors, he also enrolled in several art courses, seeking to further advance his abilities.^[1] By the fall of 1980, he held his first gallery show at Gallery 85 in Billings, Montana, and promptly sold every piece he exhibited.^[2]

Upon graduating, Geoffrey obtained his real estate broker's license, and began selling residential properties in Billings. Though successful, he was ultimately unsatisfied with this line of work, acknowledging that his true passion was seated in artistic expression. Seeking a medium that permitted more creative leeway, Geoffrey exchanged wood for bronze upon graduating in 1983, and promptly cast his first bronze sculpture the following year, a trumpeter swan in 12 editions, and sold every edition upon casting.^[3] Subsequently, Smith fully committed himself to his artistic work, and proceeded to traveled the country for several years in a camper-van, selling his bronzes and establishing his reputation.

Later years

Geoffrey's efforts were rewarded when, in 1990, he was able to purchase the Carlin Hotel building in downtown Billings, Montana. Built on Montana Avenue in 1910, it served as a first class hotel for railway passengers.^[4] Smith converted the historic building into a studio and gallery that would showcase his work for the next six years.^[5]

By 1996, Geoffrey became enticed by the climate of South Florida due to its abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems. Eventually, he made the decision to relocate to Florida's famous Treasure Coast, and moved his family there the following year. Renowned for its natural beauty, world-renowned sailfishing, cosmopolitan culture, and rich history, Smith ultimately settled in the town of Stuart, described as the "perfect place" by Geoffrey, and it is here that his artistic abilities truly blossomed.^[6]

Downtown Stuart provided a location that enabled Smith to showcase his art, and he soon opened his gallery on 47 West Osceola Street in 1997 situated across from the historic Lyric Theater.^[7] As his success grew, Smith also purchased a historic, 75-year-old building on 104 Lonita Street, and converted it into a sculpture garden, showroom, and studio in 2001.^[6] This location provided an appropriate platform for Smith to showcase his talents until the building was destroyed by Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne during the Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2004.

In December 2014 Smith moved his working studio to the town of Port Salerno, FL, located at 4545 SE Dixie Highway the studio also features a gallery of Smiths large size works.

Style and methods

Smith is characterized as a representational sculptor, and though stylistically he may be viewed as a naturalist, his signature aesthetic can be deemed "loose" wherein the subjects of his work are represented by their basic elements, with fingerprints giving the suggestion of feathers or fur. All of his bronzes are yielded using the ancient lost-wax casting process, whereby a clay original of his creation is transformed at the foundry into an enduring bronze of limited issue. He prefers smaller limited editions, proofing each work personally before signing and numbering. Smith also has opted for a traditional chemical patina on his bronze sculptures, choosing to represent the animal as nature has seen fit to create it.^[3]

Stuart Sailfish

The Stuart Sailfish is an 18 ft bronze monument sculpted by Geoffrey Smith and cast by Eagle Bronze Incorporated, located in Lander, Wyoming.^[8] The 3,000 lb sculpture, installed in 2003 in the center of the "Sailfish Circle" roundabout at Dixie Highway and Joan Jefferson way, was created with special architectural armature, enabling it to withstand wind gusts of up to 200 mph, an essential in an area frequently hit by hurricanes.^[9] Since its instillation on January 2, 2003, it has since been adopted as the symbol of the city of Stuart, Florida, a location deemed "The Sailfish Capital of the World."^[10]

Artistic career

Public commissions

• (2004) Martin Memorial Hospital, Weissman Cancer Center- Stuart, FL^[11]
  • Shell Boys: Created to honor the gift of Virginia Budd to the Martin Memorial Cancer Center, the piece depicts two young boys playfully interacting with one another with impressive giant clam shells.
• (1992) Montana Fish and Wildlife Parks - Miles City, MT^[12]
  • Pronghorn Antelope: The winning proposal of the Montana Arts Council, the piece intends to capture the spirit of Montana's wildlife heritage. Smith wanted to convey the feelings of leadership, alertness, and power to visitors of the Region 7 Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• (2010) Florida Oceanographic Society- Stuart, FL^[13]
  • Sea Life Monument: An intricate monument depicting a variety of wildlife endemic to Florida's Treasure Coast, the piece reminds visitors of the degree of wildlife diversity the region offers.
• (2003) City of Stuart - Stuart, FL^[8]
  • Stuart Sailfish Monument: the iconic symbol of the city of Stuart, Florida.
• (2006) Jensen Beach High School - Jensen Beach, FL^[11]
  • Falcon Monument: Representing Jensen Beach High School's mascot, the falcon statue was commissioned by Paul and Helen Kleinfeld in honor of their son, Ryan. The statue symbolizes the heights students can achieve, and honors the "spirit of success."

Awards and honors

Special Recognition - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - For “excellence in capturing the beauty of Florida’s wildlife and in appreciation for outstanding artistic contributions to Florida’s wildlife resources.”

References