Galleries West Fine Art

Jerold Smiley

Discipline(s): Bronze

Bio:
Since early childhood, art has been a way for Jerold Smiley to express his love of nature and his appreciation for the world around him. His interest in the outdoors and wildlife started him on the path to becoming the sculptor he is today. When still in his teens, he became a taxidermist, and for many years he had his own taxidermy business. When not working in his shop, he guided big horn sheep hunts around the Big Horn mountains where he makes his home. These backcountry trips and his meticulous taxidermy work provided the opportunity to study wildlife in all its complexity. He developed an exceptional eye for detail and realism, which translates seamlessly into his bronze works.

Jerry has work in galleries around the West and has done commissions in Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming, including a seven-foot cowboy sculpture for the Museum of Northwest Colorado (Craig, CO), a life-size child and dog sculpture for Craig Elementary School (Craig, CO), a relief sculpture used for the belt buckle for the Casper National Finals 51st Anniversary Rodeo (Casper, WY), a memorial bronze for the Woodland Park Grade School (Sheridan, WY), and an award plaque for the Nevada National Wildlife Service, among other projects. His work has been included in numerous exhibitions around the country and has received many awards, including 1st place for Rocky Mountain Stone Sheep at the Willamette Western and Wildlife Show in Salem, Oregon, and the People’s Choice Award for When Salmon Were Plenty at the Oregon Trail National Art Show, also in Salem, Oregon.

Besides sculpting, Jerry enjoys fishing and hunting, and makes his home in Sheridan, Wyoming, at the foot of the magnificent Big Horn mountains.

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