6:00pm Reception 6:30pm Presentation
Explore the quintessential American fashion through the lens of Jackie Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson, two iconic figures who defined elegance and grace in the political and social spheres of the 1960s presented by Jack A. Smith.
Jack A. Smith is a costume designer, educator, and historian whose work is fueled
by a deep love for storytelling and cultural heritage. Throughout a career
spanning educational and regional theaters across the United States, Jack has
enjoyed the collaborative process of bringing characters to life. He finds magic in
the intimate details, working closely with actors, dancers, and directors to ensure
every stitch helps tell a more complete story for the audience.
Beyond the stage, Jack has an intense passion for the history of dress which
allows him to explore the values and ideals of various cultures through their
clothing. An avid museumgoer and researcher, he has spent countless hours
worldwide working with various museums studying and documenting the details
of the intricate construction and decoration of historical artifacts. From 16th-
century patterns to 20th-century embellishments, Jack translates these findings
into both his design work and his classroom teaching tools.
Jack’s creativity also flourishes through quilting, both as a personal craft and a
form of activism. Notably, he created a monumental quilt celebrating the San
Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s “Lavender Pen Tour.” This massive work honored
the chorus’s 40th anniversary as well as serving as a vehicle for deep
conversations with dozens of volunteer quilters about the place members of the
LBGTQ+ community fill in their lives. The quilt pieced together the geography of
the tour through seven state blocks and one hundred and forty-seven friendship
stars, serving as a catalyst for dialogue and community connection within the
LGBTQ+ community
