WILLIAMSPORT, PA .- A world-renowned sculptor and artist is exhibiting his bronze sculptures and drawings in “Though much is taken, much abides …”, running, May 28 through June 26 at The Gallery at Penn College.

The drawings in the exhibition are from Ed Smith’s “Beggars of Venice” series, and are being displayed along with large and small bronze sculptures. Smith’s work includes abstract images of the human body and is primarily involved with mythic and heroic aspects of “The Artist” and man, reminding the viewer how to retain humanity in a world where oftentimes the wrong individuals are idealized.

Traditionally, bronze figures served to commemorate the past, present and future, and prompted viewers to remember great deeds, great men or actions; they embodied the dreams and hopes of men, cities, states and countries. Smith’s sculptures attempt to bring into focus what is overlooked as well as to create a sense of historical continuity with the great art of the past.

“The drawings entitled ‘Beggars of Venice’ echo the tragedy of the homeless, and sets the tone for ones who have, in some sense, been residents of the beautiful city of Venice from the very beginning,” said Smith.

“These figures are outsiders, the invisible ones. As one moves through Venice you are hard pressed to notice those who are most present, who in effect have been in the city from its founding, the beggars. These characters are very similar to us as artists, being outsiders beyond the scope of conventions. These drawings bring into focus those we overlook and they create a sense of historical continuity with the great art of the past.”

Smith is a professor of art at Marist College, in Poughkeepsie, New York, and director of the Marist College Art Gallery and the college’s Venice Biennale Program.

His work is represented in public and private collections in the United States and abroad. These include The British Museum, The Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp Belgium, Ministry of the Flemish Community, The Hood Museum, the Davis Museum, Yale University and many more. He has had over 50 one-person exhibitions and innumerable group exhibitions.