Jerry and Cindy Smith, owners of the Green Street Gallery, are not native to Crawfordsville, but you wouldn’t know that based on their community roots and 40+ years living in Montgomery County. Jerry and Cindy are both from Terre Haute, Indiana and moved to Crawfordsville in 1967. Jerry began working at Donnelley’s and Cindy began a teaching job with North Montgomery School Corporation.
Jerry always had some interest in drawing as a child, but never thought that it could be something he could do for a living or professionally. The beginning of his lifelong career as an artist started with Cindy gifting him a small oil paint kit. He used that to explore his interest in painting and found that he might have some talent. He then made the decision to take some art classes through the Park and Recreation Department in Crawfordsville. These art classes, lead by Ms. Jill Stockwell and Ms. Sharpless, began forming his gifting into a skill. Jerry experienced these teachers challenging him along the way because they believed he had a gift. Jerry began to pursue his interest in painting by investing in books about art. He studied them to learn more about different artists, their own expressions in painting, and different methods of painting.
In 1976 Jerry attended an art workshop in Maine. The landscape there provided an inspiration that brought about a turning point for Jerry. After nearly ten years at Donnelley’s working in Human Resources, Jerry stepped away from the office and found a way to create a business that would allow him to explore more of his painting and provide an income. Jerry decided to open a picture frame business on East Main St. in Crawfordsville that same year. This shop provided a need in the community and afforded him a location to begin selling his art.
Jerry makes clear that if not for his wife, Cindy, he could not have ventured out to start his own business. Cindy’s work as a teacher afforded them the consistency they needed while Jerry pursued his art and business. Jerry believes that her
support has been the most important part of what he does and he cannot do it without her. Jerry and Cindy then began
attending weekend art fairs to create additional income resulting in hard work and long days. As his art sales grew, he began to phase out the framing part of his business and went full time selling his art. When asked what has been most rewarding, Jerry says, “Doing what I love and it would be my hobby anyway.”
When asked if there was a mentor that helped him with his art journey, Jerry mentioned another Montgomery County artist, Rob O’dell. Rob became a close friend and mentor for Jerry. He looked to Rob as a role model and is grateful for his encouragement and guidance. Omar Seaman, an artist from Terre Haute, was another mentor that Jerry sought out
for his experience and wisdom. Jerry looked to other professional artists as well to continue his learning and grow his talents by attending various workshops.
In 2002, Jerry and Cindy found themselves ready for a new direction and purchased the building on Green Street now known as the Green Street Gallery. Jerry has made this his personal gallery and art studio. He and Cindy live in their apartment above the gallery and studio. Since Cindy retired, Jerry has been happy to let her take over managing the
office duties and all things social media and such. About 15 years ago, Jerry and Cindy stopped attending fairs to sell his paintings. His studio has become his home base for selling his art across the country. He currently has exhibits in Indiana at the Brown County Art Guild in Nashville, Indiana at the Minor House. Jerry has been a member of the Brown County Art Guild for 40 years as well as memberships with the Indiana Artist Club, Indiana Heritage, and Plein Air Painters Association. He is also a Cardinal Fellow of the Watercolor Society of Indiana.
Jerry has two awards that stand out to him as quite meaningful. In 2020, The National Watercolor Society awarded Jerry the NWS Purchase Award. This was the top award for this 100th anniversary International Exhibition. This top award includes his piece, “Solid Foundation” being placed in the NWS Permanent Collection. Jerry then had the privilege of receiving the Gold Medal of Honor award in 2023 at the 156th Annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society for his “Rocky Reunion” piece. Jerry has reaped more than awards from his exhibits that he has participated in. In 2023, Jerry and Cindy were invited to China to participate in the 2023 Qingdao International Watercolor Show. This event included artists from countries across the world. They spent 30 days in China taking part in many art workshops and experiencing the culture. Jerry’s art has taken them to many places they never dreamed they could go.
Jerry has written a book “Expressive Landscape in Acrylic” as well as a book called “Common Ground” which represents his 30-year collection of paintings. This provides a look into his artistic methods as well as his journey through his painting styles over the years. Although Maine has continued to provide Jerry with continued inspiration for his paintings, his collection of paintings from local historic places and landscapes can be found in his book called “Gems of Montgomery County”. Our community is proud of his accomplishments and the talent he shares with all of Montgomery County.
Locally, Jerry’s work can be seen at Carnegie Museum at the Home: Community Art Show through October 26th. In other parts of Indiana, his paintings can be seen at Newfields located at the Indiana Museum of Art in Indianapolis through Sept. 28th and at the Indiana State Museum at the Hoosier Salon art exhibition through October 20th.
Jerry will be available at the Green Street Gallery during the upcoming Art Walk on September 14th from 10am to 3pm. Various artists works will be displayed all along Historic Downtown Crawfordsville. You can find out more information on the Art Walk Facebook page.
For more information on Jerry’s gallery, Green Street Gallery visit:
Address: 119 S. Green St
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
Phone: 765.366.3406
Email: jsmith@jsmithstudio.com