A colorful journey: Smith’s art on display at MCC’s Casteel Gallery
Layers of color and memory come alive in an exhibit at Meridian Community College’s
Casteel Gallery show featuring the works of Robert Hale-Smith, the nom d’art of retired
MCC speech and theater instructor Jimmy Smith.
The 39-piece exhibit is currently on display at Meridian Community College’s Casteel Gallery through early April.
Featuring oil pastels and oil, the exhibit reveals Smith’s passion for color and storytelling. Most of the works were created in the past few months, though some date back further, reflecting a journey that spans decades.
“I’ve always loved color—you can tell,” Smith said with a laugh. Self-described as an intuitive painter, his art blends bold hues and personal history, often incorporating found objects and letters into layered, mixed-media pieces.
Many of the constructions in the current exhibit are personal. One series features collages made from letters and clippings sent by Smith’s friend, Ben Howell, who moved away from Meridian but stayed in touch through handwritten notes and random objects he found. After Howell’s passing in the late 1990s, Smith couldn’t bring himself to throw away the letters and trinkets. Instead, he gave them new life through his art.
Described as self-taught, Smith’s art combines intuition, found objects, and a deep love for color. Many of the constructions in the exhibit are filled with items he has collected over the years - coins, photographs, letters, and even objects found in a Hobby Lobby parking lot.
The exhibit marks Smith’s return to the Casteel Gallery after a previous show in 2017-18 and highlights his evolving style and personal approach to art.
The Gallery, located in the Davidson Fine Arts Center in Ivy-Scaggs Hall, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/casteelgallery.