Sharon B. Smith
Sharon Smith works and teaches in Montreal, Quebec. She was born in the Eastern Townships where she returns to paint each summer in her cottage on Lake Magog. Art and education are key elements of her life. She has obtained degrees from McGill University (B.A.), University of California at Berkeley (Teaching Certificate, K through high school), Concordia University (Fine Arts – Major in Art Education) and Vanier College (Early Childhood Education).
Creativity and spirituality attracted Sharon to the Rudolf Steiner School where she studied the Waldorf Teaching Method in French for three years. Watercolor, and more recently, pastel, is her medium of expression although she has also studied drawing, oil, acrylic, gouache, clay, sculpture, papier-mache, and printing.
It was a privilege for Sharon to be selected as one of 60 Canadian teachers to do a study tour with the Reggio Emelia Schools in Italy after working as an atelierista (art teacher) in Montreal. She was further inspired by the unique and excellent teaching of Rita Briansky, Ming Ma, and Harvey Segal.
Sharon’s experience includes working with people of all ages from pre-school to seniors. Currently, she teaches, paints and provides art consultation at all levels. She gives classes, workshops, seminars and individual instruction with a focus on watercolor and creativity in art.
Sharon and her husband lived in India for two years which provided an enriching cultural experience. While there, she taught art in her community and at an Orphanage in Bangalore.
At Royal Vale Sharon acted as the Arts Smarts teacher. She continues to do workshops from the elementary to the college level.
Throughout the year Sharon paints in her home studio. Her works are exhibited in individual and group shows and are held in private collections in Canada, the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Artist Statement
My purpose in creating is to express thankfulness and gratitude for the beauty I view around me. I wish to capture the essence of nature from birds, flowers to landscapes.
Doing art and teaching are my passions. Growth and challenge are my motivations. Continually I am taking new workshops to learn new techniques in painting and teaching art. I also like to work with people of all ages from children through to seniors so they too can share this enthusiasm.
My goal is to create art that instills a feeling of joy, peace, and tranquility through colorful images which rejuvenate the soul.
Always changing through an ongoing process, this continuous growth and exploration of creativity is a constant force throughout my life.
If you are interested in one of my original pieces of art, kindly email me - teacher.artist@outlook.com
Radio Interview
Art Shows
Group Shows
Artist in Montreal - December 2023
Artist in Montreal (Honourable mention)- Summer 2023
Biz NDG - September 23, 24, 2023
Fine Art Exhibition - Vernissage - May 10 -15, 2023
Cumming Centre Exhibition and Sale- April 20,24,25,2023
Artist in Montreal Exhibtion - February 12th, 2023
Wrapping up Winter with Love - February 9th, 2023
Gryphon D’Or - December 2022
EngAge Summer 2022- Art Exhibit
Artists in Montreal- August 21, 2022
Cumming Centre Vernisage - June 6, 2022
SRM Tea Party- May 31, 2022
Community Spring Art Exhibition- Concordia (Engaged Living Lab) - March 23, 2022
Virtual Vernissage - February 13th, 2022 (3PM) -https://www.artistsinmontreal.com/art-show-2022
Digital Art Show - Creative Response - November 14 - 21, 2021
Boucherville Art Hive (In French)- April 12 & 26 2022
2020 Online Art Exhibit, Between Darkness & Light: A Constellation of Art, Poetry, & Music hosted by the engAGE Living Lab and Concordia University Art Hives - Currently online - https://prezi.com/view/tqpX8OgWT0fweWvsT2QG/? fbclid=IwAR3jLsJvoFqpEKXa6Fzegyy1Nv_8CN-MlsNn52cACZr34f4rDyA96HsTYMI
New Beginnings 2021, engAGE Living Lab and Concordia Art Hives Community Exhibition - Spring 2021
Vernissage Ruche D'art La Page Blanche April-May 2021
Cummings Centre Group Show is May 5,2021
Concordia Constellations from Darkness to Light 2020-2021
Doodle Challenge 2020 Drawing for Pleasure
Gordon Harrison Gallery - Tuscany Vernissage - November 2019
Montreal Art Center – Nov/ Dec 2018
Women’s Art Society of Montreal – May 2018
Cummings Center – May 2018
Shaika Café - June-July 2017
Pastel Power – June 2017
Cummings Center- May 2017
Women’s Art Studio of Montreal – May 2016 / 2017
Cummings Center- April 2016
Multidisciplinary Art Exhibition, Feb – April 2016, Gryphon
Women’s Art Studio of Montreal – May 2014
Cummings Center- April 2014
Square Affair, Visual Arts Center , Montreal, Nov 2013
Interconnection, Canadian Society for Education through Art, - Center Phi,
Visual Arts Square Affair 2013
Montreal May 2013
Cummings Center – June, July, August 2013
Temple Emanuel Beth Sholom – May 2013
Women’s Art Studio of Montreal – MAA- May 2013
Cummings Center – April 2013
Cummings Center – Educator Exhibition – Oct 2012
La Ruche’ Art Community Center – August 2012, Nov. 2013
Mada Gala – June 2012
Priory School – May 2012
Women’s Art Studio of Montreal – April 2012
Tiny Survivors (Donation) – March 2012
McGill University – Artists Amongst Us – March 2012
Group Art shows with the Women’s Art Studio of Montreal – (2003 – 2012)
Cummings Center (2002– 2012)
Uplands Museum, Lennoxville, (2006)
St. Catherine de Hatley (2000- 2002);
North Hatley Library (2000)
Art Teachers Exhibition (1992,1993);
Sadie Bronfman Student Shows (1983 – 1995);
Freshwater Pearls (1997);
Bishops University, Art Association of Teachers (1996)
John Kennedy School, Art Teachers (1995)
Visual Art Center (1994)
Concordia University, Silk Screening (1988) , Sculpture (1987)
McGill University, Printing and Painting (1986)
Solo Shows
Art en Ciel (Japanese Cards Library) – May 2013
Cartes Etc. – March/April 2013
Gryphon D’Or - Feb – March 2013
London Library– Cote St-Luc -Dec 2012 – Jan 2013
Gryphon Tea House – (2007)
Royal Vale- (2007)
North Hatley, Passerose Gallery (2006);
Le Baron Gallery, North Hatley , (2005)
The Taverne Restaurant (1999);
Crayon’s Art Center (1998);
Reginald Dawson Library, April 1995 - Nature in Motion
Quotes said about Sharon
"Sharon Smith’s artistic passion knows no boundaries. In formative years at both McGill and UC Berkeley, she absorbed the freedom and intense determination that were percolating on campus, later taking her thirst for professional expansion to Concordia and Vanier, where she pursued majors in education. As a teacher who has enriched students of every age — early grade-schoolers to seniors — Sharon savors literal changes of perspective, feeling that there are valuable contributions to make, abilities to hone, and energies to tap in each season of life. No matter her learners’ first languages (of French, English, Hindi, Kannada, or beyond), Sharon builds from the universal foundation of artistic expression, encouraging the fundamentals while also shaping natural aptitude through disciplined technique. Her exceptional skills include the fluid ability to serve as both student and teacher simultaneously, with an enthusiastically intense belief that growth is a lifelong goal. Her expertise flourishes each day, and she inspires all around her to let their own talents bloom — she is simply an exceptional painter and beautiful human! " — Sheri Vandermolen, author of Jasmine Fractals: Poems of Urban India (who met Sharon while living in Bangalore, India)
As a fine artist I, Barbara Garro, have known for decades, my greatest admiration for Sharon B. Smith's creativity is that she so often pushes the artistic envelope, moves outside boxes to try new methods, mediums and surfaces to bring forth her images. How i have been blessed to watch her evolve over these years. Her mission to bring out the creativity in children influences many. I know this first-hand because she allowed me to partner with her to conduct one of her classes. She was so welcoming, some in her class asked when "Miss Barbara" would be coming back." - Barbara Garro (Author of: Grow Yourself a Life You'll Love, Love Bites, Is Jesus Serious, Living the Call of God, From Jesus to Heaven with Love, The Comfort of the Shepherd)
"I HAVE KNOWN SHARON SMITH FOR APPROXIMATELY THIRTY-FIVE YEARS, AS A STUDENT AND ARTIST. SHE IS AN ENTHUSIASTIC, GIFTED ARTIST AND TEACHER, GENEROUSLY SHARING HER KNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATING HER STUDENT'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER." - Rita Briansky
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