Artist's Talk & Demonstration by Carl Smith

Artist Carl Smith offers an in-depth look at the process of transforming remains of trees and vines into statues, pedestals, and wall art. In conjunction with his exhibition “Nature Speaks: Metamorphoses,” artist Carl Smith will discuss the process of transforming natural remains of trees and vines into statues, pedestals, and wall art. His talk will be complemented by a demonstration. The self-taught Smith has been working with wood for over 40 years. Using a wide variety of methods and tools, Smith reveals the natural color, texture, and patterns of wood remnants he finds along roadsides, in parks, and in water. At his studio in Fairfield, Alabama, Smith works with such species as cedar, cherry, mulberry, Southern red oak, sycamore, walnut, and wisteria, among others. Smith’s artwork has been featured in festivals throughout Central Alabama, including Magic City Art Connection and Moss Rock Festival. Learn more about Carl and his work on this Facebook page at https://bplolinenews.blogspot.com/2026/09/nature-speaks-art-of-carl-smith-on-view.html. This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.