Left to right: Jane Seymour, Lani Hay, Mark T. Smith and Rita Cosby celebrate
at New York’s Art Expo. – Courtesy photo
Considering that most Washingtonians are out of shape, it must then follow that when a Washingtonian is headed to the Olympics, it just can’t be for sports.
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Such is the case for local artist Mark T. Smith, who will head to this summer’s Beijing Olympics as an “Official Olympic Artist” (real title, it turns out) for the United States. His painting, which features a dragon breathing light to the Olympic flame as its main element, was just approved by the Olympic committee and unveiled in New York by TV personality Rita Cosby during Art Expo. Smith is married to Lani Hay, who was named Minority Small Business Person of the Year last year.
Smith hopes that art such as his can help bridge the political gap that divides the United States and China.
“Creating a painting that will be seen by the entire world — literally billions of people, from different cultures and points of view — is an exciting challenge,” said Smith. “The painting that I designed transcends language — something only a visual can do — and everyone around the world will be able to universally understand the painting.”
Well, if they can see it through all the smog. …
