The Maitland Art Center, historically known as the Research Studio, is one of the most intact examples of Mayan Revival architecture in the United States. With over 2,500 hand-carved reliefs and sculptures, the winding stucco and concrete compound was founded in 1937 as a winter artist's retreat and for over 80 years has continuously provided artists with a sanctuary for artistic exploration. At the heart of this living historical site is a story, and at the heart of this story is one man: the site's founder, Jules André Smith, whose singular artistic vision led to the creation of one of the most ambitious artistic communities in the nation. This pictorial retrospective of the history of the Research Studio introduces readers to Smith's early years as a Cornell-trained architect, his later exploration of surrealist expressions that would inspire the center's fantasy design, and the golden years of the Research Studio, in which Smith welcomed over 60 nationally acclaimed artists to live and work at the site.

Danielle Thomas currently serves as the executive director of the Art & History Museums of Maitland. The images are from the center's collection, which houses Smith's archives, including his correspondence, photographs, and the largest collection of his artwork.