Howard Smith

• Name — Howard Smith • Born — April 17, 1928 • Birthplace — Moorestown, New Jersey, U.S. • Died — February 4, 2021 • Place of death — Fiskars, Uusimaa, Finland • Education — Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts • Occupation — Ceramicist, designer, multidisciplinary visual artist, educator • Known for — Ceramics, textile design, sculpture, assemblage art, collage, quilts, paintings, silkscreen prints • Spouse — Erna Aaltonen • Awards — Finnish State Prize for Design (2001) • Website — https: howardsmith.info/

Howard Smith was born on April 17, 1928, in Moorestown, New Jersey. Smith served from 1949 to 1958 in the United States Army, stationed in Europe. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia from 1960 until 1962.

Smith's artwork felt out of place with the Black art world in the United States. In 1962, Smith was invited to participate in a cultural festival in Helsinki called, "Young America Presents", and unbeknownst to him hosted by the Central Intelligence Agency. He joined a community of designers and creatives in Finland, including Antti Nurmesniemi and Vuokko Nurmesniemi, Marimekko founder Armi Ratia, and architect Juhani Pallasmaa. In Finland, Smith was one of the only Black artists. Smith worked producing houseware and textiles for the Vallila Interiors brand, and designed dishes and decorative ceramic sculptures for Arabia. While working at Arabia he met artist Erna Aaltonen, whom he would later marry. In 1976, Smith moved to Los Angeles, with the support of Samella Lewis. While living in Los Angeles, he worked as a lecturer at Scripps College in Claremont. He returned to Finland in 1984. From 1988 to 1995, Smith and Erna Aaltonen produced studio ceramics in Tervakoski under the name Arteos. The couple moved in 1996 to Fiskars, Uusimaa, Finland, and worked independently. In 2001, Smith was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Design.

Howard Smith is recorded as sculptor, designer, artist, ceramicist and collagist. Within the Encyclopedia. Connected to 1 other published record in the VALÉORINE Encyclopedia.