Shaw Smith is a Professor of Art History at Davidson College. He grew up in Davidson and attended North Mecklenburg High School before going to UNC as a Morehead Scholar. He went on to receive his PhD in Art History at Chapel Hill. His professional activities include nearly 30 years of teaching Art History and Humanities at Davidson College as well as classes on French Art and the Art of the American South. He also participated in many academic and community activities related to the Romare Bearden Centennial of 2011 in the area.