About The Artist

John P. Smolko, CPSA John P. Smolko spent 35 years teaching secondary school art education to talented young artists in Ohio and retired in 2008. He is presently enjoying his life as a fulltime artist and continues to be recognized for his unique colored pencil style. John has exhibited his art throughout the United States and has work in the permanent collection of the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, the Sargent-Laessig Museum of Fine Arts in Hinckley, Ohio, and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio in Columbus. A Colored Pencil Society of America Signature Member, John has been juried into eleven CPSA International Exhibitions. Recently he won Best in Show honors in the 3rd Annual Regional Juried Show at Group Ten Gallery in Kent, Ohio. In CPSA exhibitions John has received the District Chapters Award for Exceptional Achievement at the 22nd Annual CPSA International Exhibition in Ormond Beach, Florida. In his home state of Ohio at the “2013 Colored Pencil Exhibition,” sponsored by the CPSA District Chapter #119, John’s work took First Place honors. His art continues to be recognized in regional, national, and international exhibitions and he strives to share his enthusiasm for mark making everywhere he travels. If you would like to see a more detailed list of John’s exhibitions and awards, and more of John’s work, go to smolkoart.com and scrutinize his website.