A native of Utah, Linda C. Smith began her career in dance at the age of four with Virginia Tanner’s Children’s Dance Theatre. In 1966 she become a founding member of Repertory Dance Theatre where she fulfilled her dream of becoming a performer, teacher, choreographer, writer, producer and eventually, in 1983, the Artistic Director for the company. Her pursuits have led to the development of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, to the establishment of the RDT Community School, to providing commissions for established and emerging choreographers, and to the creation of multi-disciplinary activities that focus on the dance history, the environment, social issues, multi-ethnic history, sustainability and community. Linda’s performing experience spans over 90 works. She has taught in over 1000 schools bringing the magic of dance to students and teachers with her unique demonstrations, lectures, classes and professional development workshops.

 What are you reading lately?

Currently, I am interested in the history of the British in India and am about half way through a stack of books by James Morris about the Victorian Empire including Heaven’s Command and the Pax Britannica Trilogy. On the lighter side (and at the urging of my Granddaughter) I just read the Hunger Games Trilogy so I would appear more hip conversing with the age 13-16 crowd.

What is the most memorable dance production you’ve seen recently?

Actually, the most interesting dance production I have seen lately was a film by Wim Wenders about German choreographer, Pina Bausch, called “PINA..A film for Pina Bausch.” I met Pina and saw her company perform in Wuppertal, Germany, when RDT was there in the early 1990’s. Amazing choreography!

Is there a piece of artwork in your home growing up that you remember in particular?

My parents had a watercolor by a Utah painter, Joseph Everett, that I loved. I would look at it and try to guess exactly where it was painted and imagine that I was there. It now hangs in my own home along side a number of my other favorite Utah artists.

What hangs above your mantel?

On my mantle I have two retablos by Jeronimo Lozano. Over my mantle are two wonderful photographs by George Janecek of Native American dancers at a pow-wow at Fort Duchesne. Near the photographs is a painting by Edie Roberson. I treasure the art that I have been able to collect, especially art that was created in Utah.

Who would you choose to paint, sculpt, or photograph your portrait, and why?

As a college student, I used to model for the U of U art department. I have portraits by F. Anthony Smith, Early Jones, Alvin Gittins and Alex Katz. If he were alive, I would like to model for sculptor Henry Moore. I always thought that my body related to his forms. It would be fun to have a portrait by political cartoonist, Pat Bagley. You can have very interesting conversations with artists when you model for them. Artists have a way of seeing inside their subjects. I am always fascinated by what they choose to reveal.

15 Bytes

UTAH’S ART MAGAZINE SINCE 2001, 15 Bytes is published by Artists of Utah, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.