New foundation upholds local artist's legacy and nurtures future talent

If you ask an artist in Fort Wayne about who inspired or encouraged them to pursue the arts, there’s a good chance the name “Jody” will come up.

Jo Ellen “Jody” Hemphill Smith, who passed away in the fall of 2023 at the age of 78, was an artist, curator, and educator who devoted her life to promoting and improving the arts scene in Fort Wayne while mentoring numerous other creatives.  

The arts community mourned deeply when she passed, as many reflected on the impact she had on trajectories and the arts and culture scene in Fort Wayne. Perhaps her most notable contribution was making people feel connected and included, especially within her beloved West Central Neighborhood.

R.E. PotterJody Hemphill Smith with her husband, Mark Paul SmithJody, alongside her husband Mark Paul Smith, was co-owner and curator of Castle Gallery Fine Art located in the heart of West Central.
 
The neighborhood has a long-standing reputation for attracting artists, musicians, writers, and other creative professionals.  Much of this can be attributed to the Fort Wayne Art School, established in 1888, which was once located in West Central, as well as the Castle itself, which served as the municipal art museum from 1949 until 1984.   
 
When the museum relocated to its current location downtown, the castle was restored for residential use. Then, in the mid-nineties, Jody and her husband re-established the castle as an art gallery. The gallery has been open to the public, free of charge, for nearly thirty years and helps keep the neighborhood’s artistic spirit flourishing. If you’ve ever gotten a tour of the Castle Gallery, chances are it was Jody herself showing you around. 
 
Hemphill Smith Art FoundationThe Castle Gallery in historic West CentralIn March, Jody was posthumously awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from Arts United. In a statement, Arts United said Castle Gallery “introduced nationally known artists and collectors to the Fort Wayne arts scene…and it has been a springboard for many more visual artists.”
 
That tradition has drawn numerous creatives to the neighborhood over the years. Local artist and videographer Max Meyer moved to Fort Wayne more than twenty years ago and recalls his first interaction with Jody and the Castle Gallery.
 
“I was directed to go to West Central because that was a safe place for weirdos like myself,” Meyer says, “I parked my VW bus, kitty-corner to the Castle Gallery. Jody, not knowing who I was at all, walked me around barefoot for an hour and a half and helped me pick an apartment.”
 
Meyer says that if you talk to anyone who knew Jody, they’ll tell you a very similar story– she was always accepting of outsiders and took many creatives under her wing. 
 
Theresa StevensJody Hemphill Smith and her husband, Mark Paul SmithMax recently produced a documentary featured on PBS Fort Wayne about Jody’s life, career, and lifelong creative impact on the West Central Neighborhood and the Fort Wayne art scene.  Due to his personal connection, he says it was the most difficult project he’s ever done, but felt honored to capture her story.
 
“Usually really great things are not very easy to do,” Meyer says. 
 
After Jody’s passing, her husband Mark got to work finding ways to preserve her legacy. His efforts culminated in the Hemphill Smith Art Foundation. Mark says the foundation serves two primary objectives: the creation of public artworks that celebrate Fort Wayne's cultural heritage and the support of local artists through scholarships and residencies.
 
At the forefront of the foundation's initiatives is a commemorative sculpture inspired by one of Jody's own paintings. Renowned sculptor Cary Shafer, who credits Jody for inspiring him to become an artist, has been tapped to bring this vision to life. The sculpture is slated to be located at the west entrance of West Central, welcoming people into the community and symbolizing West Central as the city’s artistic center and gateway into the city.
 
Mark says he initially asked Shafer to make a statue of his wife, but the idea made Shafer yawn. 
 
“He said, ‘Mark. What's your wife famous for?’ I said, painting,” Mark recalls, “He said, ‘What if I deconstruct the elements of a painting… turn them into steel, throw them into thin air?’”
 
Cary ShaferThe metal sculpture created by Cary Shafer is an interpretation of the original painting, “Amaryllis” by Jo Ellen “Jody” Hemphill Smith. Mark says he is excited about Shafer’s vision for the sculpture, and thinks it will be inspirational and transformative for the community.   
 
“Public art doesn’t have to be men on horseback with swords killing Indians,” Mark says, “It can be about women, art, peace… and love.”
 
The sculpture has needed approvals from the West Central Neighborhood Association, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Public Art Commission. Mark says the city has also been a partner in this project and will provide sidewalks, lighting, and maintenance. 
 
Mark anticipates that the steel assemblage will be manufactured in the fall of 2024, and installation will begin in the spring of 2025.   

To fund this project, the foundation has launched a fundraising campaign with a target budget of $200,000. Donors have the opportunity to leave a lasting imprint by having their names associated with the monument, underscoring their commitment to preserving and celebrating Fort Wayne's artistic legacy.
 
In addition to public art initiatives, the Hemphill Smith Art Foundation also intends to nurture future generations of artists, a mission close to Jody's heart as an educator. The foundation offers scholarships of up to $2,000 annually to art students, empowering them to pursue their creative passions. Furthermore, emerging artists can apply for an artist residency grant of up to $1,000.
 
Hemphill Smith Art FoundationA rendering of the sculpture in its proposed locationAs Fort Wayne evolves as a cultural hub, the Hemphill Smith Art Foundation stands poised to play a pivotal role in shaping local artists’ future. Through its initiatives, the foundation not only preserves Jody Hemphill Smith's legacy but also ensures that her passion for the arts continues to inspire and uplift the community for generations to come.
 
For more information about the Hemphill Smith Art Foundation and opportunities to contribute, visit their website.