June Featured Artist: Carol Jo Smidt

Orange City Arts is pleased to present a vibrant solo exhibition by Iowa artist Carol Jo Smidt, on display at the Stadscentrum Building in downtown Orange City from June 4 through June 25.

Known for her expressive use of color and exploration of a wide range of subjects, Smidt brings a fresh perspective to the everyday through paintings that span landscapes, still life, animals, and abstract works. Her show invites viewers to rediscover beauty in the ordinary—rendered in extraordinary hues and dynamic compositions.

Her passion for art continued with a formal art education at the St. Paul School of Art through graduate studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

“Drawing from my background in graphic design, I have a strong emphasis on color, design and drawing in my oil and acrylic paintings. Throughout my painting career, animals have been my major interest with abstract landscape being a recent pursuit.”

An artist continually evolving in both medium and style, Smidt began with oils and now works frequently in pastels. “I never want to become too comfortable with my art,” she says. “My subjects, color combinations, techniques, and media are always open to new creations.”

Carol Jo Smidt’s creative process is as energetic as her artwork. Often working on multiple paintings simultaneously—sometimes as many as twelve in various stages—she describes her canvas as her greatest teacher. “To learn is to paint and to paint is to learn,” she reflects.

Her participation in regional shows and arts festivals has allowed her to connect with collectors and fellow artists alike, helping her stay rooted in community while pursuing what is often a solitary craft. “Painting is a very solitary pursuit, and I can easily become an ‘artistic hermit,’” she says with humor. “Relationships with other artists are helpful learning tools, allowing me to see art up close and to know the person behind it.”

The public is invited to meet Carol Jo Smidt in person during a special artist meet-and-greet on Wednesday, June 25, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stadscentrum Building. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the artist, hear about her process firsthand, and view the culmination of her ongoing artistic journey. Work on display can be purchased by contacting Orange City Arts at info@orangecityarts.org.

Visit her website at https://www.caroljosmidt.net/ for more information and to view additional works.

Admission is free and open to all. For more information, visit www.orangecityarts.org.