Art at work in the Eastern District

A patent litigation attorney in Marshall has turned his office into an art gallery. Michael C. Smith, a member of Siebman, Reynolds, Burg, Phillips & Smith, this month kicked off a rotating exhibit of artwork by local artists; the goal is to obtain more exposure for local artists and encourage other professionals to feature original art in their offices. "My secretary and I have been blown away by how much nicer the office looks," Smith says. "It perks you up to see [paintings] on the walls when you go in and out." The first artist featured in the firm's office is Carol Pace of Marshall, who does watercolors of flowers, animals, buildings and other scenes. Pace was Smith's instructor at a drawing class that he took a few years ago. Her work will be featured in April and May in the firm's office and is available for purchase, says Smith, who encourages people to stop by and see the art. Smith says that he became interested in Marshall's growing art community when he was a Marshall city councilman from 1996 to 2002. During that time, the city opened the Marshall Visual Arts Center, which features exhibits, art classes and programs for children. Artists are attracted to the Marshall area because of the natural beauty of Caddo Lake, Marshall says.
-- Jonathan Fox