Artist Spotlight: Ryan Smith

For Worcester artist Ryan Smith, one creative moment led to an unexpected path in art. “In 2021 I screen printed my first T-shirt for the premiere of a movie my friend had made,” he says. “Ever since then I have been hooked on printmaking and other forms of art.”

Over time, his style has naturally evolved. “I think it’s just natural for your style to change as you age and are inspired by new things,” Ryan explains. His work today is bold and community-focused, themes that resonate deeply with him. “I love Worcester. I was born and raised in this city and I find that making art that is centered around the communities that I am a part of brings me the most joy.”

For Ryan, making art that reaches people is a priority. “One of the reasons I chose printmaking is because I wanted to make my art accessible,” he says. Painting murals is a natural extension of that goal, bringing bold, meaningful visuals into shared public spaces where anyone can experience them.

His mural, “MothMan vs Water Pollution,” for Worcester’s Catch Basin Mural Project began, like many of his pieces, with thoughtful research. “I started by looking up life that is in danger due to water pollution in Worcester,” he says. His research highlighted the risk to insect life, an important and often overlooked part of local ecosystems.

Working outdoors has its own unpredictable challenges. “Sometimes it’ll rain and you pack up. Once you leave the rain stops. What’s up with that?” Ryan jokes. But setbacks didn’t diminish his enthusiasm. He designed his mural to clearly connect with the project’s message about water pollution, a theme that fits naturally in a city-focused initiative. “In a lot of cases it is nice to see outdoor art that is inspired by the area around it,” he says. “In this case having these murals be focused on water pollution fits that theme.”

Public reaction has been positive and fun, particularly around one design choice. “People like Mothman,” Ryan says. “Most people agreed with his message.”

For Ryan, contributing to this kind of project matters. “Submit as much as possible. It is fun finding opportunities like this,” he encourages other artists. “MothMan vs Water Pollution” reflects what Worcester Green Corps believes about public art: that it can be a tool for education, joy, and community pride.

“MothMan vs Water Pollution” is part of the Worcester Green Corps Catch Basin Mural Project, created in partnership with Sharinna Travieso and the Worcester DPW. It is proudly supported by the Mass Cultural Council, the New England Grassroots Fund, and the FY25 State Earmark, allocated by Senator Mike Moore.  

Next time you pass by “MothMan vs Water Pollution,” take a moment to think about the creatures, big and small, that depend on clean water, and the artists who help us all see that connection a little more clearly.

You can follow Ryan’s work on:

• Instagram

Catch Basin Murals