Dublin artist Joseph Lindon Smith is most known for his Egyptian paintings, which captured the artwork on the walls of tombs as they were being discovered in the early 20th century, and for his elaborate pageant productions.
The short film “Joseph Lindon Smith: An Artful Life” explores Smith’s story and gives a glimpse into his lifestyle filled with travel and adventure. Directed by Paul Tuller and produced by OrianaCamara and her production company Orivica Creative, the film will have its first public showing on Friday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. at The Monadnock Center for History and Culture, 19 Grove St. in Peterborough.
This film project began in 1995, when Tuller, the founder of Monadnock Art, first became interested in Smith. He started collecting photographs and interviewing Smith’s family members in the hopes of creating a film about the artist. Funding fell short, so the project was put aside.
In 2002, Tuller, who also served as president of the Dublin Historical Society, discovered a film archive which contained footage of some of Smith’s pageants, but it would be 18 more years until he restarted the Smith project.
In 2020, Tuller met Camara, a Peterborough native who had received a Ewing Award for her video work. He approached Camara about reviving the Smith project, and they decided to work together to bring it to life. Monadnock Art agreed to serve as the fiscal agent for the film.
After two years of Zoom calls, research and interviews, the finished product is a film which presents just a small portion of Smith’s life but captures his varied talents and spirit.
This program is sponsored by Monadnock Art and hosted by the Monadnock Center for History and Culture. A director discussion and question-and-answer session accompanies the screening.
Admission is free, and donations are accepted.
There are no advance tickets or reservations. For information, contact Monadnock Center at 603-924-3235.