The City of Aurora’s Public Art Division is excited to unveil a new exhibit from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 3, that will mark the homecoming of a world-renowned sculptor and historian, Dr. Charles Smith. The public is invited to attend the free opening reception at Aurora Public Art, 20 E. Downer Place. Additionally, Dr. Smith will host a public meet and greet Friday, April 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m..
Dr. Charles Smith’s “A Truth in Stone and Spirit” features a profound blend of personal memory, news stories, and national narratives. Using a unique technique he calls ‘weatherization,’ Dr. Smith constructs life-sized figures from found materials and cement mixtures, allowing the outdoor elements to create a natural patina that symbolizes the resilience and endurance of the African American spirit.
“Everything moves along extemporaneously as God moves me,’ said Dr. Smith. ‘He shows me how to do it, where to put it, and how to construct it.”
Dr. Smith, a Marine Corps Purple Heart veteran and ordained minister, founded the African American Heritage Museum and the Black Veterans Archive to serve as a pedagogical tool for youth. His work challenges traditional monuments by elevating the stories of everyday heroes and historical figures.
Aurora Public Art is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The exhibit is set to run from April 3 through April 24.
—City of Aurora government