B. 1976, Laguna Beach, CA
Lives & Works: Southern California

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Emphasis in Humanities
Antioch University

Master of Arts, Humanities
Specialization in Cultural Philosophy
Antioch University, Expected completion 2025



PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE


2023 - Present

Director of Design
Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA

Laguna Art Museum exists to engage and enlighten people of all ages through art that embodies and preserves the California experience.

Responsibilities: Creative direction, marketing strategy, exhibition design, brand design and materials, product design, and graphic design. Primary tasks include creating the visual identity system that represents the Laguna Art Museum alongside the development, creation, and maintenance of all branding elements for the institution. As the Director of Design, I work with museum staff, donors, and outside experts to create exhibition designs and unique brand identities, marketing strategies, and experiences for each exhibition.

lagunaartmuseum.org






2020 - 2023

Creative Director
Electric Visual Evolution, LLC., San Clemente, CA

Electric is an action sports industry eyewear brand that designs high-quality, innovative sunglasses and snow goggles at the intersection of style and performance.

Responsibilities: Creative direction, marketing strategy, brand identity development and management, content development and production, copywriting, website design, email design, digital and print advertisements, paid media, social media, catalogs, brand decks, and typography. Management responsibilities included leadership, team management and training, and departmental budget management.

electricvisual.com
@electric





2018 – 2021

Owner/Director
River Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

River Gallery was a contemporary art gallery that operated on a non-traditional, carefully constructed platform for local and international artists. Its primary shape is a physical gallery with artist-specific programming.

Responsibilities: Art sales and advisory, curatorial services, artist management, event production and promotion, exhibition design, art fairs, creative direction, and marketing strategy.

@ces_gallery_archive




2019 - 2020

Adjunct Instructor
LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA

Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) is a private college in Laguna Beach, California. LCAD is committed to preparing students for careers as creative artists and designers.

Professional Studies course, Fine Arts Department.

Responsibilities: Curriculum design and implementation, syllabus development, instruction, lecturing, and individual guidance.

lcad.edu




2010 – 2017 

Owner/Director
CES Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

CES Gallery was a progressive commercial gallery in Los Angeles that specialized in local and international contemporary art. The gallery’s agenda was to foster artistic vision and help emerging artists through the crucial first stages of their careers.

Responsibilities: Art sales and advisory, curatorial services, artist management, event production and promotion, exhibition design, art fairs, creative direction, and marketing strategy.

@arivergallery




2004 - 2010, 2017 - 2019

Art Director
Electric Visual Evolution, LLC., San Clemente, CA

Electric is an action sports industry eyewear brand that designs high-quality, innovative sunglasses and snow goggles at the intersection of style and performance.

Responsibilities: Art direction, marketing strategy, brand identity development and management, content development and production, print advertisements, catalogs, and typography. Management responsibilities included leadership, team management, and training.

electricvisual.com
@electric




1997 – 2004

Graphic Designer
Mystic Skates, Prague, CZ

Mystic Skates is a legendary skateboard shop and distributor in the Czech Republic. The company is responsible for the proliferation of skateboarding in the country and hosts an annual World Cup Skateboarding event.

Responsibilities: Graphic design, event production, translation.




AWARDS


2019

Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professorship in the Arts
Marshall University, WV

2008

SIMA Awards, Accessory of the Year
Electric Visual iPhone App



WORKSHOPS


2020       

Fall Semester - Professional Studies
LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA


2019       

Fall Semester - Professional Studies
LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA

2019       

Spring Semester - Art as a Career
UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA

2019

Spring Semester - Art as a Career,
Marshall University, Huntington, WV

2018       

Spring Semester - Art as a Career
Coastline Community College, Newport Beach, CA

2018       

Fall Semester - Art as a Career,
Coastline Community College, Newport Beach, CA




SELECT PROJECTS


2016 - 2017

CES Gallery Fellowship

The CES Gallery Fellowships was a program designed to support local artists by guiding fellows through the exhibition-making process and providing a transparent mode of education that breaks down the boundaries of the commercial art world.

CES Gallery, Los Angeles, CA


2018 - 2020

River Gallery Residency

The River Gallery Residency was a program designed to support local and international artists by guiding artists-in-residence through the exhibition-making process and providing a transparent mode of education that breaks down the boundaries of the commercial art world.

River Gallery, Los Angeles, CA




SELECT EXHIBITIONS CURATED



2020

Pamela Ramos
River Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2019       

a Secret
Pavillon am Milchhof, Berlin, DE

2017       

Psychonautics
co-curated with Meghan Gordon
CES Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2016          

Deep Superficial Perceptions
CES Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2015       

Complex Decisions
CES Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2014       

Graphic Thoughts
CES Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2011       

Slash
co-curated with Yuri Psinakis
CES Studio, Laguna Beach, CA

2002       

Sub Kutlura
co-curated with Alexis Zavialoff
Prostor No D. Prague, CZ

2001       

Fragments
co-curated with Yuri Psinakis
Vystavni Sin Manes, Prague, CZ





SELECT SOLO EXHIBITIONS


2008       

Fast Company
MIM Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2005       

Symbols 
Ghetto Gloss, Los Angeles, CA




SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS


2002       

Sub Kutlura
co-curated with Alexis Zavialoff
Galerie No D. Prague, CZ

2001       

Fragments
co-curated with Yuri Psinakis
Vystavni Sin Manes, Prague, CZ

2000       

Probable Painting
Vystavni Sin Manes, Prague, CZ



PANELS


2017            

Gallery Representation vs. Self-Representation, panelist
Orange County Great Park Gallery, Irvine, CA

2017

Fine Arts Professionals, panelist 
LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA  

2014            

On Collecting Art, panelist 
Wilding Cran, Los Angeles, CA   




LECTURES


2019

Art as a Career, lecture
UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA

2019

Art as a Career, lecture 
Marshall University, Huntington, WV




STUDIO VISITS


2018

Graduate Studio Visits
UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA - May 24

2017

Graduate Studio Visits
UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA - May 31

2016

Studio Visits, Art Garda - Artist Residency
Lago di Garda, IT - October 17



TEACHING EXPERIENCE



2020 

Adjunct Instructor
LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA

2019  

Adjunct Instructor
LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA

2018  

Lecturer
Coastline Community College, Newport Beach, CA     

2018

Substitute Instructor, CTE Arts & Entertainment
Coastline ROP, Costa Mesa, CA




CERTIFICATES


2022

WSET Level 1
Wine & Spirit Education Trust



CREDENTIALS


2017       

CTE Preliminary Credential, Arts, Media & Entertainment
OCDE, CA    



COMMUNITY SERVICE


2023 – Present

City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission
Laguna Beach, CA




VOLUNTEER SERVICES


2017 – 2020

Chair of the Contemporary Circle
Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA

2015 - 2017

Founding Member of the Contemporaries (currently Art Cult)
Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach, CA




TECHNICAL ABILITIES


EXHIBITION DESIGN & INSTALLATION

Exhibition design, artwork installation, art handling, art packaging. Extensive operational and safety knowledge of power tools and other gallery equipment and systems.

ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD APPLICATIONS (ADOBE CC)

Advanced level understanding and usage of Adobe graphic design-based applications.



FOREIGN LANGUAGES


Czech - Full Professional Proficiency

Spanish - Full Professional Proficiency

Italian - Elementary Proficiency

French - Elementary Proficiency







EMAIL

+1 (213) 880-5474


︎
© Carl E. Smith, 2024