Wendell Smith (b.1972) is a contemporary artist currently living and working in Atlanta GA. His work reflects the rich visual traditions of the Caribbean incorporating Afro elements and folk culture. Educated both in the Caribbean and North America, he moderates conversations between the two regions presenting a narrative of intercultural experiences. He pursued studies in studio arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design graduating with an MFA in Painting and holds many awards most notable Fulbright scholarship the Artist Fellowship Grant, and Puffin Foundation Emerging Artist Grant His work has been exhibited most notably at: Museum of the Americas, Arlington VA, King Tisdell Cottage Black History Museum, Savannah, GA, the University of Alabama, Huntsville Al, Duke University, Durham NC, Pinnacle Gallery SCAD, Savannah, GA. Jepson Center for the Arts, Savannah GA, and the African American Cultural Center, Charlotte, NC.
StatementMemory is a central factor in my work as I articulate my personal narratives and lived experiences. My cultural identity. is central to the experience where the journey motif is used to reflect the process of time. Visual images in the work shift between reality and the abstract. The work probes the questions of existence, my relationship to both the interior (psychological) and exterior (physical) worlds of nature that define my contemporary experiences. As an observer to the drama of human history I explore those narratives that have brought me to this present. The landscape holds memories and multi-layering is evident in the work, conveying depth, reflective of history. Intuitive marks construct the emergence of forms, adding spontaneity, movement, and the “visual dance.” Creative expression is paramount given the fact that I exist in a world where I am driven to engage in a useful and meaningful way.
EDUCATION Ed.D, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN- March, 2014
MFA, Painting, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA -May 1999
BA English Literature and Creative Arts (First Class Honors) University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad- May 1995
AWARDS FELLOWSHIPS AND GRANTS
Unpack Studios Havana Art Residency Cuba 2025
FaveLab Artist Residency, Athens, Greece 2024
ArteSumapaz Residency Columbia 2024
Virginia Center for Creative Arts Residency Fellowship Award 2004
Artist Fellowship Relief and Assistant Grant, Artist Fellowship, Inc., 2003
Archie D. Bertha H. Walker Fellowship Award 2003 Fine Arts Work Center Residency Workshop 2003
The Puffin Foundation Emerging Artist Grant, Puffin Foundation, Inc. 2002
Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts and Sciences Residency Fellowship Award 2002
Vermont Studio Center Residency Fellowship Award 2001
Fulbright Scholarship 1997
Most Outstanding Creative Art Student, University of the West Indies, Trinidad. 1995
University of the West Indies Endowment Grant for Academic Excellence 1994
Trinidad and Tobago Art Support Alliance Grant 1993
Solo Shows
Interior, Studios of Key West, XoJ Gallery, Key West FL, 2025
The Echo of Silence, Holy Family University, Philadelphia, PA 2025
Rejuvenation, Art Station, Stone Mountain, GA 2023
Reclamation-A Retrospective, THINKARTWORKTT Studio, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 2022
New Works, Massie Heritage Center, Savannah, GA, 2013
Dreaming From the Inside, King-Tisdell Cottage, Beach Institute Museum, Savannah, GA 2009
Redemption Tales, Caribbean Symposium, SCAD Atlanta, 2008
Benevolence, Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, VA. 2006
Homage to Bones, Pinnacle Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA. 2006
Aftermath and Recollections, The University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL. 2004
From San Juan to the Sea Islands, S.P.A.C.E, City of Savannah Cultural Affairs, Savannah, GA. 2003
Spirit’s Eye, Louise Jones Brown Gallery, Duke University, Durham, NC. 2003
Enchanted Passage, Beach Institute Black History Museum, Savannah, GA. 2001
Festival Spirits Revisited, Savannah Bistro, Savannah, GA. 1999
The Visual Experiences, Gallery 1234 Normandie, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. 1997
Selected Group Shows
SMCK on Reels Munich's international Schmuck Jewelry Week, Munich Germany 2025
All Things Being Equal: Meditations on Balance, Oxford Arts Alliance, Oxford, PA 2024
The Art of Soul, National African American Museum Cultural Center, Wilberforce, OH 2024
Feral Friends, PetShop Gallery, Omaha, NE, 2024
Artists Collective 2024, Juried Exhibition, Spartanburg, SC 2024
Colorium 2024, Gallerium Art, Ontario, Canada
Absolutely Abstract, MVA Art Gallery, Bethlehem, PA 2024
Mixed-Media, Part Crowd Art Gallery, Canada, 2024
Liberated Forms, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA 2024
Residency Exhibit, ArteSumapaz, San Bernardo, Colombia 2024
The Dark Side, Boomer Gallery, London 2024
The Second Half, The Laguna Gallery, CA 2024
Telfair’s Annual FAA Show, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA 2023
Christmas Collab, THINKARTWORKTT Studio, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 2022
The Group Show, Savannah State University Gallery, Savannah, GA, 2012
Artists of Friends of African American Art, Beach Institute Black History Museum, Savannah, GA. 2009
Our Journey Unfolding, 2007 Black History Art Exhibit, Jepson Center for the Arts, Morris Community Gallery. 2007
Outside-In; Inside-out, Space 301, Mobile AL. 2006
Our Sons our Future, Starland Contemporary Art Center, Savannah, GA. 2006
Harlem Renaissance Influence, Afro-American Cultural Center, Charlotte, NC. 2004
Art of the African Diaspora in the Age of Globalization, Schmucker Gallery, Gettysburg College, PA.2004
Vision 3 Artists, In the Gallery, Nashville, TN. 2003
Caribbean Realities 11 Roots and Routes, Museum of the Americas, Arlington, VA. 2003
Two Lands, One Culture, 2001 Black Heritage Art Exhibit, Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, Savannah, GA. 2001
The African-American Experience, Afro-American Cultural Center, Charlotte, NC. 2001
PUBLICATIONS
Callaloo, Journal of Literature, art, and culture of the African Diaspora Vol. 42 (2024)Smith, W.R. (2016). Curriculum Design and its Relationship to Marketing of the Visual Arts. Caribbean Educational Research Journal 4(1), 47-65.Caribbean Vistas Journal vol. 1(2). 2014.The Links, Literary Magazine. Fall 2004-Spring 2006Journal of Africana Studies, 2004Seadly, New Art International vol. V111p.98 2003Museum of the Americas, Caribbean Realities Roots and Routes (catalog). 06/03. P.7The Rosenstein Family. The Puffin Foundation Ltd 2002 (catalog). P.3
GA
CountryUnited States
