Before the NoBo Art District had a full-time staff, it ran on a small but mighty crew of artists, volunteers and serial overcommitters.

Lisa Nesmith was all three.

A longtime North Boulder resident, she volunteered, organized events, supported fellow artists and steadily helped steer the district from scrappy collective to cornerstone of the local arts scene, all while teaching in local schools, creating whimsical art and building a life with her husband and two sons.

Now, the community she helped build is honoring her legacy with “In Loving Memory,” a posthumous exhibition at the NoBo Bus Stop Gallery that runs through May 24. Nesmith passed away on Dec 10, 2024, in Boulder, at age 65, after a brief illness.

Originally from a large, lively family, Nesmith studied textile design in Boston and San Francisco before settling in Boulder more than 25 years ago. She became involved with the NoBo Art District first as a volunteer, later becoming a board member and eventually stepping into the role of board president. She helped steer the organization through a period of major transition, as it evolved from a grassroots collective into a staffed, sustainable nonprofit, which was no small feat for a group built on big ideas and limited budgets.

“Though she wasn’t one of the original founding members, she got involved shortly after as a volunteer and then joined the board around 2011 or 2012,” said Leah Brenner Clack, NoBo’s executive director. “Ever since then, she was incredibly dedicated to promoting and supporting what was happening in North Boulder.”

“She fostered a culture of collaboration, inclusion and innovation,” the NoBo board and staff shared in a community statement shortly after Nesmith’s December passing. “Lisa illuminated our community as a generous leader who empowered those around her and made sure everyone was celebrated and seen.”

In addition to her leadership, Nesmith was also an artist, though word is you would have had to nudge her to admit it. She worked in mixed media, layering encaustic wax with found objects, textiles and maps. Her background in textile design and her love of travel showed up all over her work, which often played with themes of memory, time and place. It was thoughtful, textured and sometimes a little mischievous. And although she was a constant presence in the local arts scene, her pieces rarely took center stage — until now.

“Lisa wasn’t her own biggest cheerleader, not the way she was for everyone else,” Clack said. “So it was really special to bring her art out, to see it all together.”

“In Loving Memory: The Art of Lisa Nesmith” was created in partnership with Nesmith’s family and features a selection of her layered, resplendent works. The exhibit opened May 2 with a public reception and was followed by a community celebration of life. A closing reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m May 24, where all proceeds from artwork sales will benefit the NoBo Art District in Nesmith’s honor. The reception is free and open to the public.

“The exhibit just came together beautifully,” Clack said. “Her family was incredibly generous and wanted to create a legacy for her. Everyone was happy to honor her in this way.”

Nesmith was known not just for her artistry or leadership, but for the way she made others feel: welcome, seen and supported.

“She made people feel at home right away. She had the gift of gab and could talk to anyone,” Clack said. “But she was also outspoken and a real advocate, standing up for artists and the community.”

For those who didn’t know her, Clack believes the exhibition offers a kind of introduction.

“I think when visitors come to the show, they’ll get a sense of who Lisa was just by looking at her work. It’s so layered and diverse and beautiful. Artwork can give you a window into someone, a peek into their emotions, their energy, and things you can’t always put into words,” Clack said.

“It feels like you’re in a space with her. She’s definitely left her mark in so many ways, and this is just a really beautiful way to be part of that and see her presence.”

Clack first collaborated with Nesmith in 2018 on a mural project, and the two quickly found a rhythm based on shared values and irreverent humor. Clack is also the founder of Street Wise Arts, the nonprofit organization that brings most of Boulder’s outdoor murals and street art to life.

“We had the same outlook and work ethic, and shared a bit of a rebellious spirit,” Clack said. “We both had that ‘ask for forgiveness, not permission’ attitude when it came to getting things done. That camaraderie meant a lot to me. I could say anything to her, off-the-cuff, irreverent things, and she’d be right there with me. She always spoke her mind, and I’m the same way. I really appreciated that about her. She was honest and straightforward. We had a lot of laughs together.”

Nesmith’s artwork now hangs in the Bus Stop Gallery, but her legacy is everywhere: in the programs she built, the artists she supported and the organization she helped lead for more than a decade.

“She illuminated our community as a generous leader who empowered those around her and made sure everyone was celebrated and appreciated,” Clack said. “Now it’s our turn to do the same for her.”

Patrons can see “In Loving Memory: The Art of Lisa Nesmith” on view through May 24 at the NoBo Bus Stop Gallery, 4455 Broadway, Boulder. Find information at noboartdistrict.org.