Biography
Ed Smida (b. 1961, East Liverpool, Ohio) is an American figurative sculptor living and working in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His practice centers on the human form, and his finished pieces are presented in cast bronze, iron, and glass.
Ed attended university at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, and earned degrees in engineering and economics. From there he embarked on a thirty-year career spanning science, operations, and finance. The majority of this career was spent working internationally in over twenty-five countries around the world.
After much soul-searching, in 2012 Ed made the decision to leave the business world and devote himself full-time to art. The transition into the studio proved seamless and tremendously rewarding. An entirely new journey began. Although Ed is primarily self-taught, he has studied with amazing artists in Denver, Philadelphia, London, Barcelona, and Bulgaria.
Ed’s work is universally described as deeply expressive, emotive, and thought-provoking. His composition and modeling are rich with energy, tension, and life. Building upon a classical foundation with the portrait and figure, Ed’s current portfolio includes an ongoing series inspired by New Mexico past and present, and a brand-new series investigating the intersection of humanity, time, and cultural memory.
Ed is represented by Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a Member of the National Sculpture Society in New York, and exhibited in their 85th, 86th, and 88th Annual Awards Exhibitions. In 2020 and 2021 Ed exhibited at the Annual Open Exhibition of the Society of Portrait Sculptors in London. Ed’s work is in the permanent collection of the Couse-Sharp Historic Site, and has been exhibited at the Albuquerque Museum and the Harwood Museum of Art.
Exhibitions & Auctions
2024
Patrons Ball Master Works, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody
A Lifetime of Learning: Two Artistic Journeys, Nedra Matteucci Galleries, Santa Fe
2023
Western Treasures: Couse-Sharp Benefit Art Auction, Heritage Auctions, Dallas
Elected Members Online Invitational, National Sculpture Society, New York
2022
50th Anniversary Exhibition, Nedra Matteucci Galleries, Santa Fe
La Luz de Taos—Couse Foundation’s Seventh Biennial Gala and Art Sale, Taos
Nedra Matteucci Galleries Exhibition, Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, Santa Fe
2021
FACE2021 Annual Open Exhibition of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, London (The Society Prize Commended)
National Sculpture Society’s 88th Annual Awards Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens
The Pandemic: A Sculptor’s View Exhibition, National Sculpture Society, New York
2020
30th Annual ArtsThrive Art Exhibition & Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque
Sculpture Created in Self-Isolation Exhibition, National Sculpture Society, New York
FACE2020 Annual Open Exhibition of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, London
2019
29th Annual ArtsThrive Art Exhibition & Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque
National Sculpture Society’s 86th Annual Awards Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens
Through the Looking Glass Exhibition, The Harwood Museum of Art, Taos
Couse Foundation’s Sixth Biennial Gala and Art Auction, Taos
2018
National Sculpture Society’s 85th Annual Awards Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens
2017
Couse Foundation’s Fifth Biennial Gala and Art Auction, Taos
2016
Syrian Children’s Benefit, Turner Carroll Gallery, Santa Fe
2013-15
Art Students League of Denver (Various Group Exhibitions), Denver
Gallery
Nedra Matteucci Galleries, Santa Fe, New Mexico – Visit Website
Articles
Southwest Art, June/July 2024 – View Article
Western Art Collector, June 2024 – View Article
Western Art Collector, June 2022 – View Article
Fine Art Connoisseur, May/June 2019 – View Article