Mark and Jody Dedicated their lives to Art, Music and Creativity
Over these 30-50 years Jody inspired artists, like Cary Shafer who calls Jody "the most important person in his Artistic Career", and Terry Ratliff who was taken under her wing just as he was starting out as a Artist attending his first art shows at the Dash-in. But her biggest impact to the city has to be her mission to develop over 300 art collectors within our great city teaching them what to look for when investing in Art. Over 30 years she fostered a love of Art but most importantly convinced Fort Wayne the Art is worth INVESTING in. Indiana Tech’s Law School Collection is a great example of this investment as they have a amass a large collections of Fort Wayne’s Masters cementing the city’s legacy of artist organized by Jody Hemphill Smith
The same is true for leadership in revitalizing West Central, formerly chopped up in tiny apartments designed to serve as housing for the Former Art School, Jody and Mark invested and revitalized several West Central Homes, but most importantly made the Castle Gallery a community center for the Neighborhood while giving safe haven outsiders and out of towners like myself. Castle Gallery also provided wealthy collectors a romantic vision of what Downtown living could be with each of the Castles Galleries Openings. So many creatives, and out of towners still flock to West Central because of love, support, and the community Jody and Mark built in the West Central Neighborhood.
The Castle Gallery Fine Art was the Center of Art for 30 years
Jody Hemphill Smith devoted her life to the betterment of Arts and Artist in Fort Wayne for well over 30 years and as an Artist herself of nearly 50 Years. Castle Gallery was purchased in 1997 and became one of the city's most established and loved Landmarks. It was Nationally recognized as the “Jewel of the MidWest" by PlienAir Magazine. The Castle Gallery hosted several National Art shows crushing sales records and most importantly introduced National most talented artists and collectors how amazing Fort Wayne was becoming
As an Artist she made an impact with her painting being included in movies, and in the Homes of some of the most influential Indiana Residents, including College friend Jim Davis., the creator of Garfield, and renowned painter, CW Mundy who described Jody’s work as waiting to be nationally discovered,. Terry Ratliff calls Jody’s paintings as powerful.
But mostly she was a teacher, someone who no matter how much money was in your bank account, or what you experience in art Jody would take the time to tour her home which was literally a Castle, and take the time to learn more about you interests in Art. She would connect you to others with similar interests and make you part of our artist community. 22 years ago she did this for me, and I’m forever grateful, as so many fellow artists are within our community.
There is not a person in Fort Wayne past or present that has made a bigger impact on this great city's art scene. And I want to make sure she is remembered that way, but most of all, I hope all of us continue to welcome outsiders, and financially support actual artists and creatives (not just institutions) in our community.