About the Artist

“Smiley,” born Essance Stubbs was born in Portsmouth Virginia. However, Jacksonville, Florida is the city and culture that influences her artwork. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of North Florida she continues to do commercial photography.

She has been interested in photography since her childhood. Receiving her first film camera at the age of eight, Smiley now works in both film and digital. She has been a part of two major exhibitions at the University of North Florida, the “UNF Alternative Photography” show at the Southlight Gallery and the “2018 Juried Student Annual Exhibition” at the UNF Gallery of Art. She has created graphics for the company “Crispers” and the university’s National Pan-Hellenic Council. She has created 2 major series entitled “Expressions,” and “Save the Cover Art”, all of which will be available to view on her website SmileyIs.com.