Jerrod Smith, a UCO graduate, poses for a photo at The Society in the Plaza District of Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista

Near the corner of Blackwelder and 16^th Street in Oklahoma City, UCO graduate Jerrod Smith and several other artists have created The Society, a community-driven collective art space and a paradise of self-expression.

“It’s kind of like Andy Warhol’s Factory without the sex and drugs,” Smith said.

Before Smith graduated from UCO in 2007 with an art degree, he fell in love with the idea of creating alongside other people. The idea of The Society was also partly inspired by his time at UCO.

“When I went to school we would go to the painting room; we would just hang out in there and put music on and it was just a cool little vibe. This is that on a bigger scale,” Smith said.

Smith’s passion for art goes farther back than his time in college, however. He became a professional artist at the age of 15 after selling his first piece. Smith knew he was meant to live life imaginatively from a young age.

“I’ve always been drawn to this creative thing. I was always picking up junk and making stuff out of it and sketching and asking weird questions,” Smith said. “I’ve always kind of seen things a little differently.”

Jerrod Smith, a UCO graduate, poses for a photo in his apartment at The Society in the Plaza District of Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Sept. 28,

The very same passion that called Smith to create something out of “junk” as a child propelled him into trying out for the Bravo reality series, “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist” years later. According to Smith, over 15,000 people applied to participate in the show, but only 14 final contestants would be selected. Smith made it as close as the top 30 before he was informed that he would not be competing.

“It’s funny, I just got on [the Internet] and looked at the cast and I met four or five of them at the audition, so it’s kind of cool that I was there with those guys and almost ended up on a reality show,” Smith said. “Sarah Jessica Parker co-produces the show, so I got to meet her.”

Though Smith will have to settle for watching the premiere of the show on TV, the fact he has not only built an impressive art compound in the up-and-coming Plaza District but has assembled his own cast of artists to occupy it is more than an adequate consolation.

“These are some of the best artists in Oklahoma City,” Smith said. “We have a really elite crew going on. We have them cracking away, really doing their thing well.”

According to Smith, The Society’s artists feed off each other’s creative energy, which pushes their visions to places they could not have gone alone. Smith has grown so warm to the idea, the alternative seems cold and foreign.

“Imagine working in your bedroom in the corner,” he said. “How exciting is that?”

Though not everyone can be an in-studio artist at The Society, the community is not only welcome, but encouraged to participate.

“Basically the idea is if a community member has a creative idea that they want to achieve but they’re not quite sure how to achieve it, we can help give them the means to do that,” Smith said.

The Society’s goal is to promote all creative endeavors, not just visual art. They currently have plans of hosting a fashion show, an idea that was originally pitched to them by a member of the community. According to Smith, building a strong dynamic with the community is one of their main goals.

“I’ve been teaching some lessons directly from just relationships I’ve made in the community,” he said. “Even little things, like there’s a guy that walks by here everyday, and he works at Buy For Less, so rather than him having to walk to work today, I was running an errand so he hopped in my car and I gave him a ride to work.”

There are several approaching opportunities in which people can see work from The Society’s various resident artists. The 2011 Plaza District Festival will be held Oct. 1, and The Society will have several new works on display and will host several bands. They will also have kids events involving balloon animals and painting from noon to 4 p.m. and will be hosting the official after party of the Plaza Festival from midnight to 2 a.m.

LIVE at the Plaza, a community artwalk held every second Friday of the month, is another event that The Society regularly participates in. The event features both visual and performing artists, along with live music.

“It’s the Paseo artwalk, only cooler,” Smith said. “A little bit edgier, a little more progressive.”

The next edition of the LIVE at the Plaza will be held Oct. 14. 

Jerrod Smith, a UCO graduate, poses for a photo in his apartment at The Society in the Plaza District of Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista