Colleen Couch and Dolph Smith: Walk in the Light

Colleen Couch and Dolph Smith share deeply interconnected lives. Both earned BFAs from the Memphis College of Art—Smith in 1960 and Couch in 2000. Both also taught at MCA: Smith (1965-1995) led watercolor courses and founded the papermaking and book arts programs, while Couch (2012-2016) taught papermaking, bookmaking and installation art. Although Couch was never Smith’s student, she considers the 91-year-old artist a mentor. They even share papermaking equipment. Couch recalls traveling so often from Memphis to Ripley, Tennessee, to use Smith’s tools that he eventually gave them all to her for her Midtown studio. Their bond deepened further as Couch is Smith’s former daughter-in-law and the mother of three of his grandchildren.

In 2023, Couch began archiving Smith’s studio, files, slides and art collection. The process became a new source of inspiration for her own sculptural papermaking and revealed the breadth of Smith’s long, innovative career. Using these archives as a foundation, Walk in the Light traces the arc of Smith’s work through drawings, paintings and artist’s books; presents new pieces by Couch inspired by Smith and his devotion to his late wife, Jessie (1935-2020); and highlights two recent collaborations between Couch and Smith—united as papermakers, family and friends.

Learn more during the exhibition Munch and Learn on June 18, Blissfully Adrift in Tennarkippi.