Aug. 27 will mark the first-ever Connie Smith Day here in Boulder. Much of the artist’s work will be displayed during the Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo, and his historic mural donning the sidewall of Hardware Hank’s will be refurbished. But what is known of the town’s most celebrated artist? It turns out…not much.
Smith would never experience fame and fortune for his works. There would be no museum dedicated to his memory, no Hollywood movie deal depicting his life – in fact, many in his hometown scarcely recognize his name.
What is consistently cited as the one thing known about Smith is his propensity for escaping a weighty bar tab with one of his western-themed paintings – a trade that allegedly came in handy more than once for the thirsty artist. However, even the most popular story about the man may be a myth.
