Mr. Smith's Peach Seeds

Video of the Day: Mr. Smith's Peach Seeds from Stewart Copeland 


In 1968 Roger Smith ate a peach during a break from work. When he was finished he took out a pocketknife and began carving the peach pit into a tiny pig. 43 years later the retired meter reader and cattle rancher from Culloeka, Tennessee has carved hundreds of peach seeds into hummingbirds, stingrays, gospel choirs, entire villages, even a baseball stadium with 100+ figures. “Given enough time,” says Smith, “I don’t think there is anything you can’t make out of a peach seed.”

Roger Smith’s unique art, inspiring talent, and fascinating life are the subject of a short (11 minute) documentary by filmmaker Stewart Copeland. The explores Smith’s process as well as his inspirations and presents a thoughtful portrait of a self-taught artist who’s distinctive art is as much a part of his rural Southern landscape as it is a reflection of it.

Roger Smith has been featured in the books TRADITION: TENNESSEE LIVES AND LEGACIES by Robert Cogswell and WEIRD TENNEESSEE by Roger Manley. His peach seed Santa Claus was selected as one of the ornaments of the White House Christmas Tree.

Stewart Copeland is a documentary filmmaker from Tennessee. His films have played nationally and internationally, including The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Atlanta International Film Festival, an extended international tour with the Rural Route Film Festival and national broadcasts on POV and The Documentary Channel. Stewart is also the recipient of the prestigious Individual Artist Fellowship through the Tennessee Arts Commission. His last two documentaries were JENNIFER and LET YOUR FEET DO THE TALKIN', both films are available through the Grammy Award Winning label Dust-To-Digital. www.stewstew.com

directed and produced by
STEWART COPELAND

associate producers
BRUCE TAYLOR
KYLE COPELAND
DAVID COMBS
MARY COMBS

photographed by
CODY STOKES
STEWART COPELAND

music by
KYLE COPELAND

sound by
ALICIA BOGNANNO

color by
DAVID POAG

interview audio mixed by
SAM KRUTZ

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