Fan of arts leaves estate of undress

A Seattle man has left the city about $1 million with the stipulation that it be spent on a new fountain for the city.

Not just any fountain, however. The artwork has to include at least one life-size naked man. And a realistic one at that.

Stu Smailes was a retired computer analyst for Safeco who died in 2002 at the age of 69. The bequest to the city was his entire estate, except for a charitable trust of about $400,000 that was distributed after his death, said his attorney, Tim Bradbury. Smailes was an only child, and had no immediate family.

Bradbury said Smailes had supported arts groups in the past, but none of his previous gifts were on this scale. Bradbury wasn't clear where Smailes' money came from, although he speculated that some of it may have come from selling his waterfront property.

Court documents require that Smailes' bequest be used exclusively "for the purpose of designing, constructing and maintaining a fountain or fountains located within the city of Seattle. The fountain(s) shall include one or more unclothed, life-size male figure(s) designed in the classical style, i.e.: realistic," according to Karen Bystrom at the City's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Bystrom said her office became actively involved last spring, and somebody there suggested that the naked-man fountain should go to Seattle Art Museum's new Sculpture Park. "I don't know whose idea it was, I just know that there was an opportunity to work with SAM and the sculpture garden, so that's the direction we decided to pursue first."

The agreement is still being negotiated. "The city is going to assign our interest in the bequest to SAM," Bystrom said. "That is the transaction that is being worked on now."

A spokesperson for the art museum said there are no firm plans yet for the fountain. "We have had conversations with the city and the Smailes estate on the possibility of a sculpture project. However, we have not entered into any agreements at this time and so it is premature for us to discuss any details."

Bradbury was unwilling, while negotiations were continuing, to give any of the reasons why Smailes left his money for this project. Asked for some insight on his personality, Bradbury said Smailes was a great fan of the arts, especially musical theater. "He was a very funny man," Bradbury said, with a "very strong sense of humor."

Sheila Farr: sfarr@seattletimes.com.