Claris Smith was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, but she now calls New Orleans home. She received a BA with a dual degree in Studio Art and Post-Colonial Literature from Dartmouth College. She studied all mediums, but was particularly drawn to charcoal drawings and black and white film photography. After receiving an undergraduate degree, she spent six weeks studying drawing and printmaking at Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy, she later received an MS in Health Science at the University of Texas at Tyler where she enrolled in art classes, including ceramic sculpture, jewelry making, and metalsmithing. Most recently, Claris received a JD from Tulane Law School (anticipated May of 2018). She plans to continue making art while practicing law in New Orleans.