On view through Sept. 22, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute has a diverse exhibition which includes more than 50 original paintings and illustrations by artist E. Stanley “Ned” Smith, as well as artifacts from his studio.

RTPI’s galleries will attract outdoor, nature, and art enthusiasts alike as they present stunning original works and artifacts from the collection of the Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art for the summer season. On view from May 18 through Sept. 22, this diverse exhibition includes be more than 50 original paintings and illustrations by the artist, as well as artifacts from his studio.

E. Stanley “Ned” Smith (1919 – 1985) was born in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, a small town on the Susquehanna River north of Harrisburg. A self-trained artist and naturalist, in his 46-year career he created thousands of astonishingly accurate drawings and paintings of wildlife for books, magazines and other publications, as well as dozens of limited-edition prints. Smith created nearly 120 cover paintings for Pennsylvania Game News, the agency’s magazine, and in the 1960’s he began a monthly column he dubbed “Gone for the Day” that proved to be enduringly popular. The column ran for four years, and in 1971 was republished in book form. It remains in print, one of the classics of Pennsylvania nature writing. Original works from Smith’s projects for both Pennsylvania Game News and “Gone for the Day” will be features in this exhibition.

His freelance work included long-running columns, articles and illustrations in Sports Afield, National Wildlife, Pennsylvania Angler, South Carolina Wildlife, National Geographic and other magazines, and over the years he illustrated 14 books, including the Peterson Field Guide to Birds’ Nests by the noted naturalist Hal Harrison.

For more information about the Ned Smith and the Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art, please visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.

An opening reception for this exhibition will be held on Friday, June 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will include wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a gallery walk and talk with John Booth, executive director of the Ned Smith Center. At 6 p.m., a screening of the 2017 PBS documentary Gone for the Day with Ned Smith will be shown in the library. Additional program opportunities will be available on Saturday, June 29. Visit www.rtpi.org more details and information. RTPI is located at 311 Curtis St. in Jamestown.