To create beauty and share it, reminding the world that there is still so much worth seeing.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My favorite art to create is the kind that reaches people on a deeper level—pieces that make someone feel seen, understood, or comforted. I love turning emotion into something visual, something that carries meaning beyond the moment it’s made. When my work resonates with someone else, even quietly, it feels like the truest purpose of creating.
Where do you find inspiration?Beauty surrounds me in the people I love. I lost my mom five years ago, unexpectedly, and she was one of my greatest supporters. She nurtured my creativity, and only later did I realize how much I worked to make her proud. I still do. My husband, too—his support is the reason I’m able to pour myself into my art. Everything I create carries a piece of them with me.
What would you do with $25,000?If I won, I’d use the money to grow my business into something sustainable and meaningful, giving me the chance to create more art and reach more people. I’d also use part of it to help others in need—supporting families, local causes, and anyone who could use a little extra light. I want the success I build to lift more than just me.
Vote for Ashley Smith to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
