16 Aug Dressler Smith: Instructor of the Month
Meet Dressler Smith: Local artist + ACP instructor
A bit about Dressler:
Dressler Smith is a painter, author and colorist who favors tranquil landscapes crediting the inspiration of her art to “the beauty of things created by God and not by man.” Her work has been acquired by Oprah Winfrey, the late Coretta Scott King and Randall Cunningham.
2016 South Jersey Magazine noted Dressler Smith as one of “20 remarkable ladies who strive to make South Jersey a better place”. She also appeared in the May 2001 issue of Essence Magazine. Her book, The Inspirational Journey of Dressler Smith, highlights a life in art and in vocal music. Many of her works focus on landscapes of the sunrise, morning light and morning skies symbolizing new beginnings. Dressler’s series of works include her morning series of Landscapes, the In the Midst series (evening Landscapes), Garden and Quilt series, and her Abstract Rhythm series.
In addition to her work as a painter, Dressler is developing recognition as a stain glass window designer. She has designed the circular stained glass windows for the First Nazarene Baptist Church in Camden, NJ, and for the Asbury United Methodist Church in Woodlynne, NJ (2009). The focal point of her stain glass window design named “Sunday Morning” (29 feet wide) was installed in the St. John Baptist Church in East Camden, NJ in 2000.
She continues to pursue her passion for artistic expression while sharing her abilities with others as an adjunct faculty member for the last 25 years at Camden County College. Dressler also teaches at Arts Council of Princeton and continuing education at the Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
What inspires your artwork?
I started drawing one as a child. My mom gave me a pencil and paper to draw while she played the piano for church. As far back as I can remember that’s how I started and then by the time I was nine it was a resemblance to the people who I was drawing in while in church. My fourth grade teacher noticed my ability and told my parents that they should enroll me in Saturday classes in Philadelphia at flashers on memorial. They didn’t have a lot of money and flashes offered pay what you will for young children. My parents would do anything to help me to thrive in any direction. By the time I was in sixth grade, I was in rolled in Saturday classes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And then later at Moore College of Art And Design, or I got a small award towards my first year of college. I graduated from Moore College of Art in 1980.
What’s inspiring you these days?
Before I even begin a piece, I pray over it. I seek to create something from my spirit. Sometimes I feel like a conduit, like the Spirit is speaking through me. (In all of my works, I hope to share my experience of peace and inspiration with the viewer.)
My inspiration these days is still mostly something that comes to me usually at sunrise. I thought of new beginnings a new day a gift from our creator is most inspiring to me.
I am also inspired at twilight.
An answer to this question could also be in the form of how my classes and the people that have chosen to sign up, inspire me. I love plants and watching new growth in the spring. It is also a metaphor for my new growth as I evolve as a person.
These lines from Dr. Kings sermons continue to inspire, as well metaphorically
“God has been profoundly real to me in recent years. In the midst of outer dangers I have felt an inner calm. In the midst of lonely days and dreary nights I have heard an inner voice saying, “Lo, I will be with you.” When the chains of fear and the manacles of frustration have all but stymied my efforts, I have felt the power of God transforming the fatigue of despair into the buoyancy of hope.”
