Wednesday, December 21, 2022

The Stiletto Collection by Beth Smith at the Encinitas Community Center

by Patricia Frischer



Beth Smith is a self-proclaimed 'hunter and gathering of materials". These assemblages reflect that need to pick up stray objects and mull over them until they reflect her interest. But what a lot of people do not realize about Beth Smith is her absolute fascination with shoes. She has even been known to leave a pair of shoes that may be hurting her at any odd spot at the end of an evening, but mainly they seem to be a detour from her regular life as an avid supporter of textiles. 

A founder and executive director emeritus of Vision Museum of Textile Art formerly the Quilt Art Museum: Contemporary Quilts + Textiles at Liberty Station and also a previous Director of Development at the Oceanside Museum of Art, Smith is now the editor of a prestigious textile magazine Fiber Arts Now

This intriguing exhibition might be filled with quite small objects but they are worth a serious look. They are anything but obvious and instead dip deep to find the essence of a arch, a toe and a heel. These mini-wonders are true sculptures. 

My apologies to the artist for the photos I took which, because of the glass case that protects them, were a challenge to capture.  The video at the end of the blog gives you just a glimpse of all the works. 












 



Beth Smith: Stiletto Collection
Encinitas Community Center 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas
Showing until January 11. 2023
To purchase work: contact the artist directly at bethsmith.sd.ca@gmail.com 

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