Chandler Dakota Smith

Chandler Dakota Smith, 29, passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Chandler was born on November 25, 1992 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Kevin and Karen (Ringen) Smith. His parents lovingly survive. Other survivors include his siblings, Alicia Mark (Jeff), Ty Goble, and Bailey Smith; and maternal grandma, Patricia Ringen. He was preceded in passing by his maternal grandpa, Clarence Ringen and paternal grandparents, Richard and Donna Smith.

He attended Belmont University before transferring to Columbia College Chicago where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in 2018 in Fine Art Photography and Audio Engineering.

Chandler’s passion was creating, and he was a gifted photographer and musician. His creativity saw him using multiple mediums to get his ideas across and his work often blurred the boundaries between photography, sculpture, painting, and installation art. His work was featured in several group and solo exhibitions. From 2017-2018 he held a solo exhibition titled, An Approximation, at the residence of the President of Columbia College Chicago, Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim. In 2018, his work was featured in “Meed 2: New Abstraction,” at Gallery 19 in Chicago where he was one of five participants selected nationwide. He was chosen as the winner which led to a solo exhibition, “Reprise,” at Gallery 19 in 2019.

In addition to being an accomplished visual artist, Chandler’s other love was music. His love of music began when he was young and first started taking acoustic guitar lessons. From there, he started to teach himself to play electric guitar, bass, organ, piano, drums, and finally, his most recent instrument, the pedal steel guitar which he had unending enthusiasm for. He could pick up any instrument and play it, and in a short time be proficient. In high school, he wrote his own original music and performed at live venues and events. His taste in music was as diverse as his talents. One day he may be playing 1940’s Western Swing like “Don’t Fence Me In,” to later, playing an album from Wilco.

Chandler was also an avid reader and researcher. He was interested in learning more about everything, whether it was black holes in space, or mountain ranges at the bottom of the ocean. Chandler would send his family links daily to articles he had read and his interpretations of them. Or links to animal posts online, especially dogs, and specifically, Dachshunds.

Chandler’s love of Christmas was evident.  He bragged about being the first one in his neighborhood to have his lights and Christmas tree up on November 1st and the last one to take them down, usually on Easter. Like the saying goes, “he would rather give than receive.” Chandler would begin planning what gifts he was going to give months ahead of time. His thoughtfulness showed in every gift he gave, many of which he put countless hours into making and perfecting while listening to Bing Crosby’s Christmas album. As artists are, everything had to be perfect. 

Chandler had a thirst for knowledge that saw him absorbing every piece of art that he could and dissecting it. He would buy a new album and listen to it on repeat over and over again until he could tell you all the details about its composition and why he admired it so much. The way that he appreciated art and music was contagious. You always wanted to sit and listen to music with him and talk about it, see a concert together, or walk through an art exhibit together, just to pick his brain.

His thirst for knowledge meant he could teach himself to pick up any instrument and play, try any art medium and create something, and look at any piece of art and describe what makes it unique. He was so artistically inclined and hungry for learning that he developed a mind that was like an encyclopedia. And he was a collector. The apartment of an artist: there was film in the fridge, large scale paintings propped up in the corner, coffee to get through a year in the cupboard, and a massive collection of vinyl records. His extensive collection spanned the 1940’s through today. What album you wanted to put on, he had it. And it was all alphabetized. He would start his morning slowly, with coffee and a record on. And if you knew Chandler, you know he was not a morning person. But he was devoted to this usual routine and to these moments. When he was listening to a record, he was really listening to it. He wasn’t doing other things while it hummed in the background. Chandler taught you that there should be a sacred space for listening to music.

Chandler will be remembered for showing his family new things. Whether it was music, octopus sushi, or authentic German beer. Chandler’s gift was curating the perfect day for others. He always made plans on how to make things special for other people.

But above all else, Chandler was kind. Chandler was gentle. He was a thoughtful son, thoughtful brother, and thoughtful friend. He led an extraordinary life. The world feels dulled without his presence. We would have given anything to have seen the beauty he had yet to offer the world. He will be greatly grieved and greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 1 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 114 Lancelot Drive Franklin, Indiana 46131. A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 13, 2022 from 12-4 p.m. at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton Street Franklin, Indiana 46131. Burial will follow the Mass at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.

Online condolences and other expressions of kindness are appreciated at www.flinnmaguire.net