Exibitions | Mark Smith Art

Current Exhibition

Selections from the Hope Suite -- September 14th, 2023 - August 2024

Seminary of the Southwest -- the new Harrison Library

501 East 32nd Street, Austin, Texas, 78705

Library Hours Coming Soon

(Check website link above for information)

These eight pieces were selected from the series of 44 works, created between 2008-2014. The originals are monotype, photography, collage and mixed media on archival rag papers.

Artist's Statement

It is a distinct honor to have works from the Hope Suite on exhibit in the Harrison Library of the Seminary. The series of 44 works on paper were inspired initially by the election of the first Black president of the U. S., Barack Obama.

Each of the 24” x 18” works contains the word “hope” in one of 44 world languages. My idea is to utilize the universal language of art to build bridges between diverse cultures; i.e., bridges, instead of walls.

I hope these eight provide a note of peace and a unifying feeling in a challenging and divided world, mirroring the work of the Seminary of the Southwest, though its spirit of open-hearted generosity and inclusivity.

Recent Exhibition

Turning and Turning II--February 22nd - May 31st, 2023

Mark Smith Studio Gallery

105 N. Nugent Avenue, Johnson City, Texas

Open Friday through Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm, and by appointment

A new exhibition featuring mixed media works:

--The Poet's Corner

--The John Aielli Suite

--Calligraphy on Silk

--The Hope Suite Collection

Artist's Statement

All my work is based on wonder. Whether it be exploring a poem, making simple sumi brush calligraphy on silk, or creating beauty from mixed media using found objects, I love to approach the world with a meditative, open-hearted spirit of discovery.

Come explore my gallery and enjoy what Johnson City, Texas, has to offer. We are about an hour west of Austin, Texas, in the gateway to the Hill Country.

Recent Exhibition

The Hope Suite--May 25th - December 22nd, 2022

Neill-Cochran House Museum

2310 San Gabriel St., Austin, Texas

Open 11 am - 4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday

This series of 44 works was created between 2008-2014. The originals are monotype, photography, collage and mixed media on archival rag papers.

Key Dates

Thursday, October 6th, 6 pm to 7 pm: Artist's Gallery Talk

Artist's Statement

My show—“The Hope Suite”—at the Neill-Cochran House Museum in Austin has special meaning for me, because of the way it combines inspiration with history. The works displayed—44 works on paper—were inspired initially by the election of the first Black president of the U. S., Barack Obama. It is ironic that these works are exhibited in a former plantation manor that has deep roots in Austin’s history of African-American enslavement.

Each of the 24” x 18” works on paper contains the word “hope” in one of 44 world languages. My idea is to utilize the universal language of art to build bridges between diverse cultures; i.e., bridges, instead of walls. I hope they can provide a note of peace and a unifying feeling in a challenging and divided world. Viewers can see on the Map of Hope that we all live and die under the same blue sky, and can write a note of hope to add to The Bowl of Hope.