Channeling loss into legacy through public art

When the Hemphill Smith Art Foundation was established last year,  it marked a transition in how the spirit of the late Jody Hemphill Smith would live on. Known for co-founding the nationally recognized Castle Gallery, Jody spent more than three decades welcoming thousands of visitors into her home-turned-gallery, inviting them to experience art in an approachable, personal way.

Now, just one year later, her vision has taken on a monumental new form — literally. 

The foundation has completed its first major public art project, a large-scale sculpture called Amaryllis. Rising from a small triangular plot at one of the gateways to downtown Fort Wayne, the piece is both a tribute to Jody’s legacy and a statement about the role of art in shaping a community’s future.

Building Amaryllis

The commemorative sculpture is inspired by one of Jody’s own paintings. Renowned sculptor Cary Shafer, who credits Jody for inspiring him to become an artist, designed the sculpture, and it was constructed with the help of Kammerer Dynamics, a metal parts manufacturer based in Kendallville, Ind. 

The work is composed of four parts: the underground foundation, a concrete cylinder, a pedestal, and the crowning element, the finial. Traditionally, finials are ornamental features placed atop homes, lamps, or fences. For Schaefer, the shape was a fitting nod to the historic neighborhood setting, and the final design transformed that concept into something much larger and more symbolic.

Fabricated from six layers of quarter-inch steel, painted with aviation-grade coatings and sealed with enamel, the finial is both durable and striking. When assembled, the layers form what Mark Smith, Jody’s husband and the foundation’s co-founder, calls “a sculpture of a painting.”

“The way to really see it is to get out of the car and walk around it,” Smith says. “The thing is — pardon the pun — monumental.”

Public art often reflects the values of its time. For Smith, Amaryllis represents a departure from the “colonels and cannons” or equestrian statues of the past. 

“How about a little more feminine perspective, a little more peace, a little more art, and a little more love?” he says.

The work is meant to serve as both a welcome into Fort Wayne and an invitation to West Central, long known as one of the city’s historic and cultural centers. With an estimated 100,000 vehicles passing by the site each week, Smith hopes the sculpture sparks curiosity and connection.

“Maybe the first time someone drives by, they just think, ‘What is that?’” he said. “The second time, they slow down. The third time, they stop, get out, and walk around. They interact with it emotionally, and they feel better about themselves and about the community.”

Community Support

The project was a collaborative effort that extended far beyond the foundation. Smith credits the City of Fort Wayne for critical contributions, including pouring the foundation, installing sidewalks, and committing to a complete relandscaping of the site. The surrounding plot has been named Amaryllis Place and will soon feature new trees, shrubs, and improved grading to complement the sculpture.

In total, the foundation raised $275,000 to fund the project, a significant achievement for a new nonprofit. While Smith anticipated community support, he was still moved by the enthusiasm that carried the project forward. 

“It’s based on the goodwill that Jody established in her lifetime,” he says. “She had a lot of people loving her efforts. She welcomed people into the neighborhood and into the city. And that’s exactly what this sculpture is doing.”

Carrying Jody’s Legacy Forward

For Smith, the project has been more than an exercise in public art. It has been an act of love and remembrance. He recalls the day the sculpture’s finial was lifted into place by crane. As it rose above the trees, tears streamed down his face. 

“This was the spirit of my wife coming back to life,” he recalls.

That deeply personal connection is woven into every aspect of the project. Just as Jody once gave tours of Castle Gallery, Smith now finds himself guiding visitors around the sculpture, sharing stories about its creation. 

“I am no match for Jody’s energy. She would give 100 tours a day,” he admits. “But it gets back to what art does. Art connects us all.”

The sale of the Castle Gallery in 2024 also marked a turning point in Smith’s personal life. After decades of opening the doors of his home to thousands of visitors, he found himself craving more privacy. 

“Living in an art gallery was like living in a fishbowl,” he says. “Frankly, I was happy to not be in that public arena for my lifestyle.”

Now living just a few doors down from the Castle, Smith has spent the past two years restoring and redecorating his home in ways that reflect Jody’s spirit. 

“When you have a 50-year marriage, you think that when your spouse dies, the marriage is over, but it’s not,” he says. “If there’s a stained glass window in this house and the setting sun hits it from the West, that’s Jody talking to me. She’s still with me. She will always be here.”

For Smith, both the new home and the Amaryllis sculpture have become labors of love and tangible ways of keeping Jody’s presence alive while turning grief into something that continues to serve the community.

What Comes Next

With Amaryllis complete, the foundation is taking a pause before committing to its next major initiative. Some have speculated about additional sculptures at city gateways, but Smith is cautious. 

“At 75 years old, I’m not sure I’ve got it in me to do one at every entrance,” he says with a laugh. Still, he dreams of seeing a large piece greet visitors from the airport one day.

Future projects will depend on renewed fundraising. Smith remains hopeful that future donations could lead to the creation of other public art displays or possible scholarships for students wishing to attend art school.

For now, Amaryllis stands as both the foundation’s first milestone and a living continuation of Jody Hemphill Smith’s vision. Where Castle Gallery once welcomed thousands into its walls, Amaryllis invites everyone passing through downtown Fort Wayne to pause, reflect, and connect.

As Smith puts it, “The transformation from Castle Gallery to the Hemphill Smith Art Foundation has been profound because the foundation provides massive public artwork to the public, for free. That’s what I love about this sculpture. It’s free for everybody.”

Dedication and Celebration

The foundation will formally dedicate Amaryllis on October 16 at 5 p.m. with an ice cream social at the site. The event will feature remarks from Councilman Jeff Paddock, music from Lisa McDavid, and words from sculptor Carrie Schaefer. Attendees will also have the chance to scan a QR code at the base of the sculpture to watch a video documenting its construction.

“Every time I go to Zesto, I think ice cream may be the key to world peace,” Smith jokes, noting that the dedication will be both fun and meaningful.