Today I would like to share with you the brilliant, talent and creative Art Smith ( 1917-1982).
Art Smith was born to Jamaica parents in Cuba in the year 1917.
His family moved to Brooklyn, NY in 1920 and Smith was able to show off
his talents. When he was in the eighth grade he entered in a poster contest
that was held by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals
he won honorable mention in the contest. With this accomplishment at such a
young age when he became older he was encouraged to apply to Fashion
school.
He received a scholarship to Copper Union for the Advancement of Science
and Art. While attending the university his advisors tried their best to steer
him towards architecture because they felt that he will find a job in the civil
sector. He struggled with Math so that forced him to turned to commercial art
and a major in sculpture. Smith graduated in the year 1940.
He worked for the National Youth Administration and also the
Junior Administration after graduation. These two organizations helped young
teenagers find employment. During his down time, he took a course in jewelry
making at New York University.
While attending the night school he gained a mentor by the name
Winifred Mason. She had a small jewelry store/ studio in Greenwich Village this
is where Smith became her full time assistant.
In the year 1946 he opened his own studio/ shop on Cornelia Street
in the village. Where his shop was located it was known as the " Italian
block" and he suffered racial violence form majority of his neighbors. It
got to the point where his windows were smashed and he felt unwanted.
Smith eventually moved to 140 W Fourth Street which was just 1/2
block from Washington Square park which is known as the heart of Greenwich
Village. This particular area is where openly gay black artist felt at home.
With his store being such a success it brought him a lot of business deals to
the point where he he started to sell his wares to craft stores in Boston, San
Francisco and Chicago.
By the mid-1950s he had so many business opportunities that he was
getting offers from Bloomingdale and Milton Heffing which is two big department
stores in Manhattan. He also developed relationship with James Boutique in
Houston, L ‘Unique in Minneapolis and Black Tulip in Dallas.
In the same year he received feature coverage in both Vogue and
Harper's Bazaar and he was also mentioned in The New York Shopper guide
"On the Avenue." By the year 1960's he started to use silver more in
his jewelry and his client base increased. He also suffered a heart attack in
the same year. His health started to decline in the year 1970 by then the
shop on West Fourth closed. Smith died in the year 1982.
Fun Fact: He designed a brooch for Eleanor Roosevelt and he also
made cufflinks for Duke Ellington.
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