B I X S M I T H

. PAUL "BIX" SMITH 1938-2009

Bix was a multifaceted local artist, musician, and art professor within the Jonesboro community.

Bix was born in Blytheville, AR.

Bix's formative years commenced in Imboden, where he attended grade school at Sloan-Hendrix. The family relocated to Pierceton, Ind., when Bix was 12 years old, and he graduated from Pierceton High School In 1956.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965. Following his service, Bix earned a bachelor's degree from the Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University. He worked as a writer, photographer, and photo editor for the Indianapolis Star for 11 years.

In 1973, Bix returned to Arkansas and assumed the role of art director for KAIT-TV in Jonesboro. During his tenure at KAIT, it was not uncommon to see Bix appear in local television commercials. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Memphis. As a professor of art, Bix shared his expertise, education, and experience with students at the Arkansas State University-Newport campus for several years.

His professions encompassed painting, sketching, graphic design, and photography. His artwork has been showcased in regional galleries and nationwide exhibitions.

Bix played guitar and bass guitar for various groups in Indianapolis, Chicago, California, Jonesboro, and even Chateauroux, France. Throughout his career, he collaborated with musicians across diverse genres, including jazz, blues, country, and swing.

Additionally, Bix was an actor in community theater productions. Bix's friendships were as diverse as his talents and interests. He approached conversations with the same enthusiasm, whether interviewing a celebrity or engaging in casual conversation with a friend over coffee. Bix delighted in sharing his lifelong adventures with family and friends and was a gifted storyteller. His anecdotes could range from a humorous sketch to a joke, a piece of family history, or memorable story.