Through the lens

Exhibit features work of late Southern Maryland Newspapers photographer

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo The late Gary Smith was the photographer for the Maryland Independent from 1985 until his death Jan. 8, 2009. Twenty-three years of Charles County history are captured in his work as a photographer in the exhibit, "Ordinary days, extraordinary moments: Charles County through the Lens of Gary Smith." E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Colleagues, co-workers and friends of the late Gary Smith, longtime photographer for the Maryland Independent, have joined efforts with the newspaper and the College of Southern Maryland to recognize the photojournalist's work and create a legacy in his honor.

An exhibit that features selections of Smith's work opens this week at the College of Southern Maryland at the La Plata campus.

Thousands of his images were culled to produce a gallery exhibit that commemorates his talents in capturing the daily life of Charles County and Southern Maryland, and these images will be donated to the Southern Maryland Studies Center at CSM for the community's future access.

In addition, a scholarship fund has been established to provide a legacy for students in the field of communications at CSM, including photography, the visual arts and music.

"After Gary's death, so many people talked about putting together some kind of tribute to him. He'd been around the county for a long time and so many people knew him and so many people had been the subjects of his work. It is a very fitting way to honor him," said Maryland Independent Editor Angela Breck, who was Smith's co-worker since his arrival in Charles County.

Smith was the paper's photographer from 1985 until his death Jan. 8. "Through the years, Gary entered the homes and lives of numerous community members. He was one of the most respected and recognizable members of the media in Southern Maryland and he became the face of the newspaper to many in the community," Breck said.

Smith's work was also familiar to the readers of The Enterprise. "Although Gary Smith was based at the Maryland Independent in Waldorf, his work regularly appeared in the news and sports pages of The Enterprise as well," said Rick Boyd, editor of The Enterprise. "For decades he chronicled the news events and everyday life of Southern Maryland. He was our co-worker, a cheerful and always calm colleague who was unfailingly willing to help us out. … We miss Gary's work and the phone calls that came regularly to our newsroom, telling us what he could do for us, often without us even asking him."

Smith captured life through the camera lens for the Maryland Independent for 23 years and for the Newark Advocate in Ohio for 14 years. He sharpened his talents at Ohio University where he earned a master's degree, and he developed the skill in others at CSM where he was a photography instructor for a number of years.

It was a formidable task that confronted Smith's friends as they gathered in April to begin shaping the gallery collection. Those working on the effort in addition to Breck were Jim Hettinger, Carrie Lovejoy, Jim Brocker, Michelle Brosco Christian, Karen Smith Hupp, Conni Leigh James, Candice Quinn Kelly, Valerie Nyce and Katie O'Malley-Simpson. The results of their efforts are about 300 images that have been either framed or combined into a collage of photos that capture the scope and spirit of his work — "Ordinary days, extraordinary moments: Charles County through the Lens of Gary Smith."

Some choices were easy: the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel and the F4 tornado that devastated La Plata, the ceremony honoring Charles County citizens killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon, and the opening of the area's first professional baseball stadium. These were key events in Charles County's history. There were also iconic images — tobacco farmers and watermen — that defined the area's cultural heritage. And then there were photos that just made everyone smile.

"Gary had a knack for capturing the innocence of childhood," said James, who knew Smith as a fellow photographer. "Working on the show has been very rewarding. This is an exceptionally talented and generous group of people. The fact that so many good people thought so highly of Gary is a wonderful legacy, every bit as impressive as the body of work he left behind. I hope that those who see the show will enjoy revisiting the many great moments in our county's recent history that Gary recorded, and that they will have a chance to remember Gary through his work."

Smith's friends who collaborated in creating the show have also worked with Smith's wife Linda and children Gabe Smith, Danielle Arbe and Darcy Thomas to ensure a lasting tribute is established in his honor.

The Gary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship has been established through the CSM Foundation for CSM students interested in studying communications, including photography, the visual arts and music. Applicants will be asked to write a 100-word essay describing their interest in communications as part of the criteria, and preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.

"Gary had such a passion for documenting what went on in the community. He loved his work, all hours of the day and night," said Linda Smith of her husband's years in Charles County. "He was one of those types of individuals that strived to perfect his work because he didn't always have the confidence that what he had captured did justice to the moment. Yet, we look back at the sheer volume and quality of work that he produced, and we are awed by his results.

"What has struck me through this experience is that Gary exemplifies the type of individuals in our lives who walk among us, perhaps on the sidelines as he did in covering the community, but persistently doing their work and we don't always notice their full value until after they are gone. Then, we are able to fully appreciate the gift they have left us," she said. "It's been extremely heartwarming to see the community's response throughout the past several months, and our family is honored by the efforts of Gary's friends who want to make sure that Gary and his life are always remembered."

If you want to go

"Ordinary days, extraordinary moments: Charles County through the Lens of Gary Smith," will be featured during the summer in the College of Southern Maryland's Tony Hungerford Gallery at the La Plata campus. The exhibit will be available for public viewing 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 28. Go to www.csmd.edu/finearts.

An opening reception will be held June 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Contributions to the Gary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund may be sent to the CSM Foundation, P.O. Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646. Call 301-934-7636 or visit www.csmd.edu/foundation.