Newnan’s Marc Stewart named recipient of 2008 R.G. Smith Award

The National Museum of Naval Aviation recently announced Marc Stewart as the recipient of the 2008 R.G. Smith Award for “excellence in naval aviation art.” The prestigious honor is awarded annually to a single artist. The museum’s foundation selects the recipient.

Upon receiving the news from the museum, Stewart’s initial reaction was one of disbelief. “At first I thought it was a mistake,” he laughed. “Actually, I feel honored to be so recognized for my work. It means a lot to me.”

Unlike a competition or a juried exhibit that may recognize one piece of artwork, the R.G. Smith Award is a career honor, similar to a lifetime achievement award. The namesake of the award, Robert Grant or R.G. Smith contributed immeasurably to the preservation of the proud heritage and rich history of naval aviation through his 50-plus year career as an aeronautical engineer and accomplished artist, according to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. Previous recipients include Jack Fellows, Keith Ferris, Roy Grinnell, Stan Stokes and numerous other artists at the top of the highly niched field of aviation art. Marc Stewart is pleased to now be counted among them.

Stewart is a native of Atlanta, and currently resides in Newnan, Ga. He has always had a love of flying and a love of aircraft, WWII aircraft in particular. As a teenager he earned his private pilots license. He and his friends flew all over the U.S. and Canada in a Cessna 120, and through their ignorance of youth (mixed with a lot of luck) narrowly averted death many times. They would often get two aircraft and "dogfight" each other or put on "air shows" for friends.

In college, Stewart became involved in sailplane flying and was an active member of the West Georgia College Sport Parachute Team. After college, he joined the U.S. Navy and graduated from Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola. Stewart then began flight training in pursuit of a career in Naval Aviation. During his Naval career Stewart flew several aircraft including the T-34C, T-2C, US-2B, C-12, C-131 and the TA-4J Skyhawk. In 1995, he retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.

In grade school and high school, Stewart drew or painted aircraft subjects. Throughout college many of his art shows were of an aviation theme. He believes his early flying experience influenced his college art projects. His military flying days and aviation maintenance experience further served to enhance his attention to detail in his aviation artwork.

Stewart's aviation art has been juried into numerous exhibits nationwide including the EAA Sport Aviation Art Competition and the National Museum of Naval Aviation's Aviation Art Competition Exhibition. Stewart won "First Place-Military" from Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine in the 2002 International Juried Aerospace Art Exhibition and won again in the same category, receiving "Third Place-Military" in 2005. His painting, "Hell Over the Hadley," won Best in Show in the 2006 National Museum of Naval Aviation Competition Exhibition. In 2007, Stewart received a Merit Award for his work in the Newnan-Coweta Art Association's annual Juried Member Exhibit.

Stewart shares the accolades with his supportive family. “I want to dedicate this to my dad, the late Marcus Stewart, and to my mom, Marilyn,” the artist explained. Both parents were talented artists themselves. “They’ve always encouraged me artistically. Aside from my wife, Robin, they’ve been my biggest cheerleaders and biggest fans. I wouldn’t be in this position without them.” Both Stewart and his father served in the U.S. Navy, which gives the award another dimension of personal meaning.

In May, the Naval Aviation Museum will bestow the award to Stewart at their annual symposium in Pensacola. During the ceremony, Stewart will present one of his original oil paintings to the Museum as a donation to their permanent collection. “I’m definitely excited,” said Stewart. “For an aviation artist, there’s simply no higher honor. It just doesn’t get any bigger or better than this. I’m thrilled!”

Stewart's work has illustrated articles in numerous publications including Aviation History, World War II, Military History, AutoPILOT, and Airline Pilot Careers magazines. His artwork has also graced the pages of numerous published books including “Fantail Fighters” (cover art) from Phalanx Publishing; “The Marines” from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation; “Target of Opportunity: Tales & Contrails from the Second World War” by pilot/author Richard A. "Dick" Hewitt; “USMC, A Complete History” from the Marine Corps Association; and “Semper Fi” by Col. H. Avery Chenoweth, USMCR. Stewart's work was also featured in the DVD "F4F Wildcat" produced by Aircraft Films. His painting, "Cat and Mouse Over Wake" is featured in an exhibit in the new National Museum of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. and on the Museum website at www.USMCMuseum.org.

Stewart is an Artist Fellow member of the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA) and holds a bachelor of art in fine art. He is also a member of the Newnan Coweta Art Association and a Friend of the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. His career as a professional artist spans nearly 15 years. From illustrating features in internationally published history magazines and books to private commissions for clients such as aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, Stewart continues to expand his horizons in historical, military, western, and maritime art.

Stewart currently has 20 pieces of artwork on display at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler, Ga., near Savannah, as part of their “Southern Wings” exhibit. That show runs through early April.

His work may be viewed online at www.AviationArtbyMarcStewart.com.

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