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What´s Your Favorite?

Sandra CH Smith Executive Director, Springfield Regional Arts Council

Photo by Kevin O'riley

You wouldn’t believe the things Sandra CH Smith told you about her life if she didn’t have the details to go with them. Her tales come complete with voices, lessons learned and grinning pauses to make sure you’re taking it in. The current chapter of her epic has her as the Executive Director of the Springfield Regional Arts Council. Smith puts it simply and sincerely: “I love the arts. I just love the arts.”

Before coming to Springfield, Smith took ownership of Cliff Cottage Inn in Eureka Springs, which she still manages. Smith has also worked planning enormous fundraising events in Philadelphia. She entertained the elite of Washington D.C. while she worked as a social secretary for Mrs. Martin Vogel, “Washington’s number-one society matron,” and helped host elaborate parties. Then she went to finish college in France. And most fascinating of all, she sailed in a boat around the Pacific Ocean… for seven years. “I decided not to define my journey ahead of time because I didn’t know if I’d even survive my first night,” Smith says. “My dad, when we’d take trips, would always say, ‘Oh, we’re just following our noses.’ So that’s what I did.”

It was that sort of adventurous spirit that led Smith to Springfield. She hurriedly interviewed the day she got back from an overseas visit. “I never take things seriously,” laughs Smith. “I said, ‘Alright, I’ll jump in my car. I’ll bring the body, but the mind will have to follow later.’” Now, working with the rest of the SRAC staff, she both enjoys and cultivates the rich art scene in Springfield. If things ever get too stale at the office, or the staff is close to burning out, she’ll make up a new adventure. “Occasionally, in the middle of July, I’ll say, ‘Oh I just heard this horrible snowstorm is coming. We have to go work at home,’” she says.

What's Your Favorite...

Work of art?
“When I was 11 I went to the Louvre, and I saw Botticelli’s Primavera. I thought it was so beautiful.”

Sailing term?
“Every time I got back safely to my little slip I’d say, ‘Cheated death again!’” City to port? “I like Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The old town.”

Type of fish?
“I taught myself how to fish, so I wouldn’t starve, and I ate fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I did a lot of fishing. I did a lot of snorkeling, too. The best fish that I caught fresh was the salmon.”

Morning routine?
“I have my alarm go off at 7:10, and it comes on KSMU, and I love to listen to what’s going on, what happened overnight. I love to listen, so I know what’s going on in the world.”

Thing the Arts Council brings to the community?
“What we’re doing is raising theawareness of how important the arts are to our quality of life. What a difference the arts makes.”

Summer activity?
“I love to make homemade lemonade with real lemons and just sit outside and sip on lemonade and watch butterflies.”

Juice?
“Grapefruit juice because it feels really healthy.”

Slang word?
“In Arkansas I learned that word dang.”

Piece of public art in Springfield?
“I like them all.”

Nickname for money?
“Moolah.”

Type of gravy?
“A red wine sauce.”

Part of the Creamery building?
“I like the arts library.”