Exhibit shows the many textures of clay

art DIANA BLOWERS

Brother Don Smith’s fascination with textures is quite evident in his current art show at Gallery Saint John.

“Discovering Textures,” which will close on Feb. 7 with an artist’s reception from noon to 4 p.m., is open from noon until 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Located on the Mount Saint John/Bergamo campus at 4400 Shakertown Road, Gallery Saint John includes the studios of four Marianist brothers — Smith, John Lemker, Joe Barrish and Charles Wanda.

Smith spent his early career in various Marianist ministries, high schools, retreat centers and the University of Dayton before becoming a full-time professional artist, specializing in clay and pencil drawings.

First introduced to clay during his senior year of college, Smith has been developing his skills in the last 50 years and presented his first exhibit at Gallery Saint John in 1990.

“For the last 22 years, I have been a full-time professional artist, concentrating in clay work. I have done many commissions and my work appears in many collections, both public and private, throughout the world,” Smith said.

“This current exhibit displays my fascination with textures. Clay is a medium that allows the artist a full range of possibilities to explore textures of all kinds. In the present show, I encourage visitors to touch the pieces and experience in their fingertips the wonders that their sense of touch can provide.”

The show also includes several of his drawings, done in pencil and colored pencil.

“It’s amazing what a pencil can do when depicting textures. My drawings show the fluidity of water, the strength and toughness of bricks and stone, the softness of grass and tree leaves,” he said, adding that he hopes people leave the show “with a greater respect and appreciation for their gift of touch.”

The gallery, which is free and open to the public, is a not-for-profit endeavor of the Society of Mary, the Marianists. Started in 1989 as an educational outreach of the Marianists, it is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and can also be visited by appointment.

For an appointment or more information, call 320-5405. More information is also available at its Web site at www.dayton-gallery-saintjohn.org.

Contact this columnist at dsb@donet.com.