“Our Neighbors” Opening Reception

Combining my recent collaborations with the MN DNR, the MN Pollution Control Agency, and Fond Du Lac Natural Resources, these paintings will depict scenes that address some of the ecological challenges facing animal species native to Minnesota, including large-scale loose representational work about current ecological research around Minnesota. This installation includes conservation information and celebrates the roles these animals have in our ecosystem, the role humanity is playing in their possible extinction, and some of the hopeful things we are doing to change course.

The goal of these works is to give voice to a larger portion of a growing list of threatened and endangered animals of Minnesota, native to our area. I seek to inspire new thoughts about our actions surrounding Lake Superior and greater Minnesota. In the Lake Superior watershed of Minnesota where I live, people are acutely concerned about our relationship with water, wildlife, and the environment. By learning about and sharing this knowledge through thoughtful paintings and free community talks involving researchers, we are taking advantage of an important time to acknowledge our changing relationship to the land, water, and animals that make our area so special.

Opening reception December 16th, 5-7pm at the Zeitgeist Atrium with presentation by Monarch Butterfly Conservation Specialist Samantha Smingler at 6pm.

Adam Swanson is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.