About Jay Smith

Jay Smith (they/them) is an illustrator and Judaism enthusiast based in Western Massachusetts. They have no formal arts education and credit their grandmother Sylvia with teaching them to paint at an early age. Their artwork reconstructs traditional Jewish ritual for a contemporary audience, and creates protective spells for trans bodies and spirits. In 2015, Jay was the recipient of the Arts and Healing Network Award for Arts and Social Change. Their work was also displayed in 2016 in partnership with the Amplifier Foundation and the Women’s March on Washington at the Center for Contemporary Art in Seattle. They currently reside in Florence, MA with their partner, Clare, and two fur babies Gene and Charlie.

Jay takes on commissioned work on a limited basis, with preference given to organizations/organizers working to advance gender and racial equity, abolition of the carceral state, and/or indigenous sovereignty. Please send inquiries to mjsmith211 at gmail dot com. Note that there may be a delay in response time.