C.V.
Most - Least Recent
Education
(2023-Present) Rhode Island School of Design - BFA in Illustration, Providence RI
(2021) Governor's School for the Arts - Performance Art College Credit, Murfreesboro TN
(2019-2023) West High School - IB Certificate Graduate, Knoxville TN
Experience
(2025) Prop and Scene Design for "Alice" - Go! Contemporary Dance Works, Knoxville TN
(2024) Writer and Illustrator of Teagan's Totebag - Fiction for Kids, Brown University, Providence RI
(2024) Prop Design and Costume Oversight for "Barbarosa" - Go! Contemporary Dance Works, Knoxville TN
(2024-Present) Resident Advisor - Rhode Island School of Design, Providence RI
(2023) Costume Design for "Cleopatra" - Go! Contemporary Dance Works, Knoxville TN
(2022) Prop Design for "The Shadows of Pine Mountain" - Go! Contemporary Dance Works, Knoxville TN
(2021) Prop and Costume Design for "The Search for Persephone"- Go! Contemporary Dance Works, Knoxville TN
(2019-2024)Logo Design - Akima Club of Knoxville, Knoxville TN
(2019-2024) Summer Camp Art Teacher - Studio Arts for Dancers, Knoxville TN
Awards / Gallery Showings / Achievements
(2024) Experimental Foundation Studies, Curated Exhibition - Rhode Island School of Design, Providence RI
(2023) IB Artist of the Year -West High School, Knoxville TN
(2023) Best in Show, AP/IB Exhibition - West High School, Knoxville TN
(2023) Design-A-Sock-Contest, First Place Design - Sock It To Me Inc, Milwaukie OR
(2022-2023) President of National Art Honor Society - West High School Chapter, Knoxville TN
Hey there! I'm Lydia.
I'm a current student at Rhode Island School of Design, majoring in Illustration with concentrations in History, Philosophy and Social Sciences (HPSS) and Nature, Culture, Sustainability Studies (NCSS).
I grew up in Knoxville, TN, USA, right near the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. I'm heavily inspired by the history, artistry, and strength of Appalachia, which has pushed me to branch out, finding inspiration in my travels across the unique land and cityscapes of New England, California, Alaska, and the United Kingdom.
Much of the work I do outside of freelance/commissions revolves around nature and environmental protection. I frequently experiment with different materials, textures, subject matter, symbolism, etc- I'm always eager to try new mediums.
Freelance/commission work I've made has consisted of logo/brand design, mood boards, tattoo design, apparel/costume design, and prop design. I've also done painting and ink commission work, mainly focused in landscape and/or portraiture.
Contact me at lydiacsmithey@gmail.com
Thank you for contacting me! I will get back to you soon :)