GREGG WAMSLEY
Hutchinson Public Library
On Saturday, June 22, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., six paintings by former Library Board member and local attorney Dennis O. Smith will be on display in the Hutchinson Public Library's upstairs Meeting Room #2 for the general public to view.
Dennis's birthday is June 23rd, and he would have been 92 this year. He served on the Library Board for 11 years from the late 1970s through the 1980s. During his time on the board, he helped facilitate an HPL bond that funded the library's first remodeling addition in years. It was a tax bond that was included at the same time the Hutchinson Sports Arena got its first facelift in decades, too.
Dennis loved being on the Library Board, and after his death in 2002, the family started a fund that has donated to the HPL. Several paintings have been purchased over the years and donated to the library with this fund. These paintings can be checked out to the public. Also, the recent mural at the entrance to the children's section of the library was also paid for out of this fund. The general public enjoys this on a daily basis (since 2022). The mural artist is Chyler Miner.
Dennis's son, Geoffrey Smith, is the driving force behind this art reception, producing and promoting it to honor his father on his birthday weekend. “I have six paintings my dad created. Each painting has a written synopsis that I had a visual artist friend write for it. These are not just paintings; they are a part of my father's soul, his exploration of his creative side of life. I'm proud to share them with everyone.”
The reception is open to all and will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Hutchinson Public Library's upstairs auditorium. We're swapping out the traditional birthday cake for small gift bags of peanut brittle, Dennis's favorite. Drinks and other snacks will also be provided. We look forward to welcoming you.
For more information visit the library's website, www.hutchpl.org.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.