Smith, Edie, Let It Shine, mixed media collage on canvas, 41 x 16 x 1.5 inches Artist Bio: Edie Smith is a mixed-media collage artist whose primary medium is paper. Her signature technique is to combine various types of paper (handmade, shimmer, patterned, foiled, cardstock, and more), along with silk flower pieces in various shapes to create a mosaic pattern. The diversity of the pattern gives purpose and speaks to the endless possibilities of the art form. The inspiration for Smith’s work is her desire to create something that speaks to the heart of the individual, while also reflecting who she is as a woman of faith and purpose. Reflected in most of Smith’s work is the influence of her love of flower gardening. Faux flowers of various colors, in a mosaic vase often find a home on canvas or a greeting card. In 2020, Smith re-purposed her craft to include framed prints and collage art. Her current work includes paper collages in the form of stained glass. The bold colors of the paper and the shimmer of the mosaic patterns create the illusion of natural light that penetrates stained glass. The integrity of the stained glass does not admit light, but it controls the light by enhancing the color experiences of everything around it. In addition to a collage artist, Smith also designs handmade greeting cards; a creative process that she became interested in following her retirement. It stems from her belief that “the words we say and the things we do are a reflection of ourselves.” Giving and exchanging greeting cards is a platform for communicating in a very personal way. Her brand, Espirations Greeting Cards, is a unique line of handmade cards with an art-focused design. The brand motto: A special person, A special occasion, A special card. Customer feedback revealed that many of the cards sold were being framed and kept as a keepsake. This revelation was instrumental in Smith’s transition from designing cards to creating collages and framed art. Smith is currently a member of the Women of Visions, Inc., a collective of African American women artists dedicated to the advancement of art, culture, and history. Two of Smith’s art pieces, Secret Garden, 2022 and Let-it-Shine, 2022 were recently exhibited at “Future Visions” at the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA, for the Women of Visions, Inc. 40th Anniversary Exhibition, May 28 – June 12, 2022. Mentored by international sculptor Selma Burke at its founding, Women of Visions has sustained 40 years in the city of Pittsburgh as the only non-profit collective of African American women visual artists. Women of Visions mounts group and collaborative exhibitions, teaches classes to people of every generation, and networks to build relationships in the arts and lay community both in and outside the city of Pittsburgh. The members of Women of Visions represent a diverse range of lifestyles and artistic experiences; thus rich and varied expressions of personal, social, and political views are presented in each exhibition the group organizes. Over the course of 40 years, Women of Visions has continued to nurture and support professional and emerging women artists of color, and to bring to the general public the full richness and scope of our cultural heritage. Currently, Women of Visions is the oldest women’s organization of its kind in the country. They have experienced the years of both revolution and evolution. Now, with the country’s historic placement of a woman of color in the role of Vice President of the United States, this historic organization seeks ways to push themselves and their art to the next level. As part of their growth strategy, Women of Visions has inducted 16 new members in one year, amplified their mission with ground-breaking exhibitions, and are poised to pass on their legacy of establishing “excellence in the visual arts” to the next generation of African American women. In 2021, Women of Visions was awarded the title of “American Cultural Treasure” by the Ford Foundation and Heinz Foundation. For more information visit womenofvisionspgh.org. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/ .