VALDOSTA — She had a way with kids and art.

She had a way with generations of young artists.

Patricia Carroll Smith spoke with enthusiasm of her students and their art.

Known better as Patsy Smith, or probably even better as Mrs. Smith to her thousands of students, she taught art for decades to Valdosta High School students. 

Upon retirement, she continued teaching art for several more years at Valwood School.

Each spring, she would invite The Valdosta Daily Times to her Valwood art classes to take photos of the students who won the top prizes in the school art show. Each year, she would extol the virtues and talents of her students. And each year, she would say she might retire, maybe, possibly, come the end of next year.

Each year, she was still there, right up until her passing a few years ago.

Totaled, she taught art for more than 55 years in a career that stretched back to her start in the 1950s with the city school system.

But she was also an artist. 

Smith often painted alongside her students. She painted and drew and created because she felt it instructed her students. She felt it did them good to see her create and overcome challenges in the creative process. 

She did it because, like teaching, she had to do it.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is presenting a retrospective of her art work. The show is infused with the spirit, the energy, the caring, the creative spark and the smile from the woman known by so many as Mrs. Smith. 

Patricia Carroll Smith was a lifelong native of Valdosta, Georgia where she raised her family and taught art for over 55 years. Patsy received an art education degree from the University of Georgia and began her teaching career with the Valdosta City School System in the mid 1950’s. Patsy’s talents were soon recognized and capitalized on as she quickly earned the title of the Wildcat Lady. Patsy’s distinct wildcat icon was seen on items that ranged from billboards to drinking glasses. Patsy shared her talents and the love of art with hundreds of Valdosta City School students for forty years. After retiring from the Valdosta City School System, Patsy continued to provide art instruction at Valwood School. Patsy’s longevity in the classroom was evidence that she loved school and truly loved young people. Patsy touched lives exponentially through her service and witty personality. At her passing in June 2013, hundreds of Patsy’s former students, her cherubs as she called them, were deeply saddened.

Over the span of Patsy’s career as an artist, she went through many phases of medium, styles and subject choices; however, Patsy’s paintings are distinctly colorful, bold, and often times whimsical, primarily using acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, or perhaps a combination of mediums. The subjects of her paintings were usually from nature, although she focused much of her time and talents towards designing team logos and mascots for her beloved Georgia Bulldogs, Valdosta Wildcats, and Valwood Valiants. Patsy’s still lifes were often family members’ items such as a grandchild’s toys, her husband’s hunting equipment, or simply her son’s jeans hanging from a coat rack. Patsy was a master calligraphist and generously shared this skill by dedicating hours preparing wedding invitations and poetry for others.

Like most artists, Patsy’s talents became more refined in her later years. She rarely went a day without using her gifts as she served others though her artwork. Patsy shared happiness though her art, but she also had a gift of making anyone she came in contact with smile and laugh. She passionately served her family and this community with her love of life and her artistic ability. Her legacy lives on within the thousands of artworks that remain and the passion for art that she instilled in so many. 

GALLERY

What: Patsy Smith: A Retrospective is on exhibit in Josette’s Gallery; along with artist David Lanier’s “Paintings,” Sallie & Harmon Boyette Gallery; Grace Halter’s collection of blown glass by artist Bill Slade, Price-Campbell Gallery; Turner Center Summer Art Camp Student Exhibition, Roberta George Children’s Gallery.

Where: Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, 527 N. Patterson St.

Run dates: The exhibits will be on exhibit Aug. 1 through Sept. 14.

Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed Sundays and Mondays (with exception of scheduled receptions).

Admission: Free.

More information: Call (229) 247-2787; or visit www.turnercenter.org.