A local artist placed in an art exhibition in Richmond that is part of a prestigious national competition. The winner was eligible to enter because he is an immediate family member of an employee at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital.

John H. Smith, of Chesterfield, placed first in the intermediate category, winning $350. "The Cap" is a realistic graphite pencil drawing on paper of an elderly gentleman wearing a plaid flat cap.

The 17th Annual Employee and Family Art Competition is made possible by the National Arts Program and Arts in Healthcare. All works submitted are shown and professionally judged by a panel of local prominent artists, educators and cultural leaders. The National Arts Program is designed to give all artists, at all skill levels, an uninhibited opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional manner and to compete for cash prizes. Arts in Healthcare provides patients and staff an innovative, full-service program in performing arts, fine arts, electronic media arts, folk art and humanities as well as a compassionate, integrative therapies program.

"I love how people’s hands, feet and faces tell a story," Smith said. "You can tell when people are hard workers and I see the beauty in that."

It took Smith two months to complete the drawing, which has detailed wrinkles around the eyes and a thin, white mustache, adding to the realistic nature of his art. He likes drawing normal, everyday people and uses photographs for reference.

Smith has been drawing since he was 5 years old. He won another competition when he was 12 but life took over in his adult years and he didn’t have time to spend cultivating his skills. He served in the Army for 10 years and worked in corrections for 25 years. For the past 20 years of retirement, he has worked a part-time job transporting veterans to their health care appointments all over the country. With the slower pace, he has really made time to improve his artistic ability.

When he’s not drawing, he also enjoys sewing. Not just buttons and repairs, but he makes clothing, too.

"Most people are surprised to hear that a man can sew," he said.

Smith has two adult children: a daughter who is a nurse for the VA Washington DC Healthcare System and a son who is a nurse practitioner at CMH Urological Services.

"I am very proud of his work and his passion for art," his son, Tomaris Smith, F.N.P., said.

Smith is already working on his entry for next year’s exhibition.