Recent Smithfield High School graduate Daniel Province is bringing nightmares to life and earning regional attention for his creativity, technical skill, and passion for special effects makeup.
Province, who lives in Smithfield and is the son of Maureen and Brian Province, was recently featured on WHRO Public Media’s Curate, a program that highlights artists and creativity throughout Hampton Roads. The episode, which aired June 19, spotlights Province’s work as a special effects artist and “monster maker,” showcasing his talent for designing prosthetics, creating realistic makeup effects, and building immersive horror experiences.
A graduate of Smithfield High School, Province also attended the Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, where he spent three years in the technical theater department before transferring to visual arts for his senior year. Through that experience, he was able to deepen both the technical and artistic sides of his craft, including creating special effects makeup and prosthetics for student productions and films.
Province’s interest in special effects began at a young age after watching online tutorials and experimenting with fake blood, liquid latex, and other materials. Inspired by legendary special effects artists such as Tom Savini and Rob Bottin, he has continued to develop his skills with the goal of becoming a professional makeup artist for film and television.
In the WHRO feature, Province discusses his creative process, his experience at the Governor’s School for the Arts, and his plans to continue his education at the Douglas Education Center’s Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program. His long-term goal is to work for a special effects company and, one day, operate his own special effects studio.
The segment also highlights “Phobia,” a haunted trail Province created with the support of his family and friends. What began as a personal creative project grew into a large-scale Halloween production and fundraiser, with Province designing props, organizing the trail, and leading many of the creative elements himself.
Province’s story reflects the power of student passion, family support, and arts education in helping young people discover and pursue meaningful career pathways.
The full episode of WHRO’s Curate featuring Daniel Province is available online at:
https://www.pbs.org/video/