It’s not every day that someone gets chosen to create something for someone famous, but art teacher Zack Smithey gets to do just that.

Smithey was selected by renowned baseball star, Ozzie Smith, to create artwork for events that he will host.

“Ozzie Smith saw me painting live at the Foundry at a sports art event, and asked me to paint for his golf tournament, charity event and banquet,” Smithey said.

Currently, Smithey is working on a portrait of Hank Aaron, another baseball star who will be attending Smith’s member-only banquet. Aaron is known for breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974 to become one of the most important sports figures of the 20th century. The portrait of Hank Aaron is based off of the press conference he held after breaking Ruth’s record. At the banquet, Smithey will have three of paintings auctioned off: one of Hank Aaron, one of Ozzie Smith and one of both players, that he will do live at the banquet.

“They are going to auction off each painting after [Smith and Aaron] sign them, and 70% will go the charity and 30% goes to me,” Smithey said.

Smithey is honored to be picked for such an significant job.

” I get to meet and hang out with some of the best baseball players in history, and not talk about baseball. I’m sure every day they meet people who only want to talk baseball, and I just want to get to know them.” Smithey said.

By Christy Maupin