Meet Charles Smith | Gallerist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charles Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charles, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Probably just respecting that nagging feeling that there’s always more that can be done and that nothing is ever perfect no matter how hard we try so we might as well sho up and try anyway. In a sense the feeling of not actually obtaining any “success” keeps me moving forward.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, looking back it’s all the little “not perfect” and challenging jobs and experiences that accumulate over time that guided me to start this art space. At the time I think it can feel a bit defeating but from here looking back I am now grateful for the lessons each one afforded me. And of course there’s plenty more to learn “the hard way” aka possibly “the only way” in the future. I think picking a lane and staying in it for a while has been helpful. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking it is possible to be all things to all people. Bit in my experience that has not been possible. So before I began I asked for help from friends and people that had more experience. After that really I just had to trust myself after A LOT of dwelling, pivoting, adjusting all while keeping my original intention.
Which was quite simply to serve the needs of artists and the community and create a space for exploring creativity in whatever capacity feels right at the time. It’s not a retail space.
It’s a break for everyone from those redundant transactional relationships.
My work is done best when everything we do leading up to a show is kind of invisible and I can get out of the way and the art we bring into the space gets to have it’s own conversation with the viewer/experiencer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wake up super early drive up to the seals when no one is there and just stare at them with a coffee. It’s probably the most untouched beautiful landscapes in California. There’s a place that’s the closest thing to a time machine called “Covells Clydesdales” where you ride horses on a ranch and really feel like you are in the middle of NOWHERE. Boni’s for a breakfast burrito or the creekside cafe if you are feeling decadent. Our lil organic market “SOTOS TRUE EARTH” is really the beating heart of the community. With a delicious cafe in the back and the nicest staff in the world. Plus the owners are always there and that’s how you know it’s great.
Hunting for moonstones on moonstone beach of course is what folks do. I think I’ve been living here long enough where “just doing nothing” is not only permissible but enjoyable. I encourage people that visit to try it out.
This might be the last place on earth where it almost feels possible. And it is more work than you think!
Farmers Market on Fridays of course across the street from my Gallery.
Possibly a walk up to the poor man’s Hearst Castle ” Nittwitt Ridge” where a prolific hoarder up-cycled his own house! It’s incredible.
The WEST END bar and grill for a relaxed family vibe and drinks and a fireplace to warm up by. And of course THE SEA CHEST is the penultimate local legacy seafood restaurant.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Just my immediate family really, mother and father. My wife and child. They gave me the space and freedom to allow this idea to be born into reality.

Website: https://www.cruisecontrolcambria.com/

Instagram: @cruisecontrolgallery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cruisecontrolcambria

Image Credits
Charles Smith