Ellen Galusha Smith

Creative Force

Ellen Galusha Smith (1849 – 1922) was an artist whose work inspired future artists, whose work, in particular, inspired women artists, whose work inspired literary and theatrical artists, and whose work educated.

Born in Lisbon, Illinois and raised in Morris, Illinois, Ellen moved to Peoria in 1885 after her 1870 marriage to William Hawley Smith, a teacher and principal noted for starting the first area school for special needs students.

The Smiths lived on Knoxville Avenue and were well known for maintaining exceptional gardens. (Reputedly, Lydia Moss Bradley owned part of the Smith’s small fruit farm at one time.)

Early on Ellen became involved in the literature and art scene in Peoria. She was a founding member of the Peoria Women’s Club, a founding member of Peoria Players, a member of the Allied Arts Society and an early member of the Peoria Art League.

Although Ellen was best known for her paintings (her landscapes particularly), she also dabbled in other artistic endeavors such as needlecraft, quilting, writing and theater. Ellen and her husband wrote theatrical scripts together and periodically enjoyed the company of such well-known artists as Walt Whitman and Mark Twain.

But, perhaps Ellen was best known for a painting she reputedly created under the guidance of James McNeil Whistler, famed artist of Arrangement in Grey and Black No. (best known as Whistler’s Mother). Ellen claimed James Whistler appeared in a dream and instructed her to get up and paint and he would guide her hand. Ellen did just that, painting all night to produce a piece that intrigued many when it was displayed by the Peoria Art League at a Madison Theater show.

Edward Simmons

Title Unknown, 1918

(Portrait of Ellen

Galusha Smith)

Oil on canvas

Peoria Historical