Scene of Conflict: Museum Opening, Reception, and Lecture

Press Release

Who: Historical Artist Ken Smith and Glencoe Museum, Radford VA

What: Museum’s Gallery to Exhibit “Scene of Conflict: Paintings of World War Two, The Civil War, and the Victorian Stage by Ken Smith”

Where: Glencoe Museum, 600 Unruh Drive, Radford, VA 24143

When: November 9, 2012 through January 10, 2013

Artist’s Reception – Friday, November 9, 2012, from 6 pm to 8 pm

Artist Lecture – Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Radford Public Library.

Contact: Scott Gardner at Glencoe – 540-731-5031 | info@glencoemuseum.org

Ken Smith – ksmith@kensmithistoricalart.com

The Scene of Conflict: a phrase that brings much to mind, and in the world of Ken Smith’s historical art, it sets the stage for both the conflict of arms and the conflict of the intellect. Smith’s paintings of military history (the French and Indian War, the Civil War, and World War Two) hang beside the greatest of the Victorian actresses, each painting depicting a drama both profound and emotional, whether it be a moment of impending battle (Green Hell) or the agony of the moment of truth in Sarah Bernhart’s Lady Macbeth (What is Done Cannot be Undone). 

Lining the gallery walls of the Glencoe Museum, the public is invited to view not only the history offered by the museum, but also the history featured in Smith’s work. 

“My paintings show these individuals in a very up close and personal way, always seeking to show a vision of the world in which these people lived – and sometimes died – with a portrayal that is both authentic and heroic,” said the artist.

Glencoe will host an opening reception for the exhibit on Friday, November 9 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the museum. On Tuesday, November 13, Smith will present a lecture on the process of creating historical artwork. The lecture will be held at the Radford Public Library and will begin at 7 pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

Smith currently resides in Pulaski, Virginia and is an assistant professor of graphic design at Radford University. Before this, he lived in the Knoxville area for over thirty years and is an alumni of the University of Tennessee. He also holds a MA from Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York) and an MFA from the University of Hartford (Hartford, Connecticut). He is a member of the Coast Guard Art Program and has twice won their prestigious George Grey Award of Artistic Excellence. His paintings are featured at both the East Tennessee Historical Society and the McClung Museum in Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as at Fort Loudoun State Historic Area museum in Vonore, Tennessee.

Scene of Conflict will be on exhibit from November 9, 2012 to January 10, 2013 during Glencoe’s regular hours, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. For more information about the exhibit, the reception, or the lecture, please contact the Glencoe Museum at 540-731-5031. Signed, collector’s prints will be available for purchase. To see more of Smith’s work, please visit www.kensmithhistoricalart.com.