Picturing a Bright Future for Ringling College Students

Hudson Smith lived a life with many interests, including a career that involved both engineering and operations management. For relief from the daily "grind," he developed a special passion for photography. So much so that in his post-retirement years, he decided to make a generous legacy gift to Ringling College of Art and Design, as well as endowing a named scholarship in support of arts education.

Hudson was born in Illinois, then moved to Kentucky when he was 13. He lived there through his college days, attending the University of Kentucky, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering. After college he went to work for a company in

Louisiana, but after a year the draft began. He signed up for The U.S. Army Officer Cadet School and was commissioned as an officer in the Chemical Corps.

After serving in the Army at the height of the Vietnam War, he was offered a job in Lake City, FL in the mining and chemical business. He began work in the engineering department where he was awarded a patent on a new process, then later went into management. After 20 years he was offered a job in Lakeland where he joined a large engineering and construction company with major operations throughout the U.S. and Europe.

"While living in Lakeland, my wife, Anne, and I would come over to the Gulf Coast for long weekends, which was a good introduction to the area," Hudson said. "That's when we really began to enjoy it here and think of it as a potential post- retirement home."

"I wasn't really aware of Ringling College of Art and Design until we moved to Venice," Hudson recalled, adding that photography has been a hobby of his since the mid-1970s. "I had just about given it up because of time constraints while I was working, however when Anne and I retired, I picked it up again."

"I think on my first visit to the College, I went to a photography exhibit that was being held on campus. I was very impressed," Hudson said. "The talent of the students is just off the charts.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to have conversations with some of the students, and they continue to impress me, both as young people just starting their careers, and as artists."

Hudson also had a chance to meet Tom Carabasi (department head of the Photography and Imaging degree program at Ringling College). "Through Tom, I became familiar with the College and all of its accomplishments," he said. "Tom was also good enough to give a presentation to the Venice Camera Club at my request. His presentation was much appreciated by all members of the Club."

"I met Larry Thompson just before I made my first donation to the College," Hudson said. "I think he is a remarkable man, very dedicated to the College. He understands art and design, but also the business of art. He also relates very well to everyone from the staff and faculty to the students. He's a great fit for Ringling College."

Hudson and his wife share a love of art in all of its many forms. "My interest in art definitely extends beyond photography, but that is what piqued my interest in the College and its programs," he said.

Over the years, Hudson has self-published multiple books of his photography, the first of which was published in 2011, featuring pictures of the Venice area and titled The Other Venice. He is pleased to have sold several hundred copies, but would only offer them at printing price. Although he has never sought to make money with his photography, he says it has always brought him joy, as do the gifts he has made to Ringling College.

"Anne and I have been fortunate to travel around the world, and I have been able to put my photography to good use on those trips," Hudson said. "We have been to nearly every country in Europe, as we lived there for a little over a year, and several countries across the Pacific. I have created a book on many of those trips, plus one that covers several driving trips within the U.S. called Road Trips. It's been a lot of fun." he said.

"Our endowed scholarship has benefited many students, and when I was able to meet each of the recipients, I was struck by how diverse the students were in their art, their points of view, and everything," Hudson said. "There are so many people in this world with a lot of talent, and if they do not develop those talents it will be such a tremendous loss. That's why I decided to focus on scholarships in my giving. If I can provide someone with that kind of opportunity, then it is putting my money to good use," he said.

"There is also significant support in my will committed to Ringling College of Art and Design as a legacy gift," Hudson said. "It is true that I was involved in a very technical, engineering-based career for most of my life. And while there is a creative aspect to that work, in my giving, I felt it was important to support the arts, in all its many genres," he said.