Geoffrey C Smith (sculptor)

Early life

Smith was born in San Francisco, California in 1961 to Maurice Smith, a neurosurgeon, and homemaker Carolyn Smith. He is the middle child of three sons. His family enjoyed activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and sailing.

Smith's interest in artistry was subsequently inspired by his maternal grandfather Charles, a wood carver. By the age of 15, Smith had begun to carve wooden duck decoys. Because of his interest in animals, Smith's work focused almost exclusively on that of wildlife.

He then entered Montana State University to major in economics. He graduated with honors, and also enrolled in several art courses. In the fall of 1980, he held his first gallery show at Gallery 85 in Billings, Montana, and sold every piece he exhibited. Smith 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. 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

Smith'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. Smith converted the historic building into a studio and gallery that would showcase his work for the next six years.

By 1996, Smith 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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."

The Lotus "Rising Above"

The Lotus "Rising Above" by Geoffrey C. Smith was given to Pope Francis by United States President Donald Trump on May 24th, 2017 during Trump's visit to the Vatican. This is the most internationally recognized sculpture of Smith's career to date.

Artistic career

(2016 - 2015) City of Stuart - Stuart, FL - Birds on Colorado Avenue Five life size individual sculptures of birds native to Florida including American Heritage, Pair of Osprey, Skimming the Wave III, The Roseate Spoonbill and The Dancing Sandhill Crane

(2010) Florida Oceanographic Society - Stuart, FL -The Sea Life Monument 19’ tall intricate monument depicting a variety of wildlife endemic to Florida’s Treasure Coast 890 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994

(2010) Willoughby Country Club - Stuart, FL - Errie Ball Bust 1 1/2-Life size bronze bust of golf legend Errie Ball 3001 SE Doubleton Dr., Stuart, FL 34997

(2008) The Children’s Museum - Indian Riverside Park - Jensen Beach, FL- Life’s Journey 16’ tall sculpture of mother and calf dolphins leaping 1707 NE Indian River Dr., Jensen Beach, FL 34957

(2007) Harborage Yacht Club - Stuart, FL - Blue Thunder Fountain with 16’ tall marlin & tuna sculpture 915 NW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994

(2006) Jensen Beach High School - Jensen Beach, FL - The Falcon Monument 12’ tall bronze Falcon representing Jensen Beach High School’s mascot 2875 NW Goldenrod Rd, Jensen Beach, FL 34957

(2005) Martin Memorial Health Systems - Stuart, FL - Trio of Leaping Bottlenose Dolphin Fountain featuring a 7’ tall sculpture of bottlenose dolphins 711 SE Osceola St, Stuart, FL 34994

(2004) Martin Memorial Hospital, Weissman Cancer Center - Stuart, FL - The Shell Boys Fountain depicting two young boys (life size) at play with giant clamshells 501 SE Osceola St, Stuart, FL 34994

(2003) City of Stuart - Stuart, FL - The Stuart Sailfish Monument Fountain featuring a 19’ tall sailfish, which has become the iconic symbol of the city SW Joan Jefferson Way, Stuart, FL 34994

(2000) Palm Beach Zoo - Palm Beach, FL - Water Dogs Bronze sculpture of two lifesize river otters at play 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

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.”