Will Smith, Jr. hails from a lineage deeply rooted in artistic legacy, tracing back to his great-great-grandfather, Robert Rawes, renowned as the foremost antebellum marble worker in the South. His artistic heritage also includes his great-grand-uncle, Erasmus Humbrecht, celebrated for his fresco murals at St. Louis Cathedral and numerous religious paintings across the Deep South.

Originally from Natchez, Mississippi, Will pursued his passion for art and design at Birmingham-Southern College, later refining his skills in sculpture and installation at institutions like the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Notre Dame de Namur University. Settling in New Orleans in 1999, he immersed himself in the city's rich cultural tapestry, channeling his talents into diverse media, from private commissions to designing floats for Mardi Gras krewes, including the renowned Krewe de Vieux.

Joining the Jean Bragg Gallery of Southern Art in 2009, Will's work often reflects his environmental activism, particularly in preserving Louisiana's coastal heritage. His exhibitions, like "Today’s Specials, The Journey of Louisiana Seafood, from Camp to Counter," not only commemorate events like the BP Oil Spill but also underscore the vital link between Louisiana seafood, the economy, and cultural identity. Through his art, he captures the essence of vanishing landscapes and traditions, such as the historic fishing camps of the Louisiana wetlands.

Check out Will's work that supports CRCL.