VITAE
John August Swanson, 1938-2021
Printmaking: Serigraphs, Etchings, Lithographs, Giclees, and Paintings
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
1967-1968 Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, Evening classes
1965-1967 University of California, Los Angeles, Academic
1957-1959 Loyola University, Los Angeles, Academic
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019
- Terrance L. Mahan, S.J. Gallery, LMU, Los Angeles, CA
- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA
2015
- Boston University Community Center, Boston, MA
- Bisignano Art Gallery, University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA
- fINDings Art Center, San Pedro, CA
2014
- Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, NY
- First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica, CA
2013
- American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach, CA
- St. James by-the-Sea Church, La Jolla, CA
- Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
2012
- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA
2010
- Fuller Seminary Library, Pasadena, CA
2008
- Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT
2002
- Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ
2000
- Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
1999
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, San Diego, CA
1998
- Art Center, Christian Theological Seminary, Journey of the Spirit, Indianapolis, IN
- Calvin College God is in the Details, Grand Rapids, MI
- Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
- Concordia College, Ann Arbor, MI
1997
- First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- North Park College, Chicago, IL
1996
- California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
(Received Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa) - University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
- Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
- Judson Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1995
- Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts, La Habra Heights, CA (featured artist)
- Lutheran Center at O’Hare Plaza, Chicago, IL
1993
- Parables of Life
International Marian Research Institute, Marian Library, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
1992
- Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
1990-91
- Gallerie Julian of Georgetown, Washington, DC
1990
- M. Coe Gallery, Portland, OR
1989
- Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MO
1988
- Center Art Gallery, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
- Pontiac Art Center, Pontiac, MI
- Purdue University Galleries, West Lafayette, IN
- Arts Council Gallery, Holland, MI
- Biola University (two-person show), La Mirada, CA
- Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
1987
- Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI
- Creative Arts Gallery, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
- Jesse Besser Museum, Alpena, MI
- Museum of History and Art, Ontario, CA
- Graduate Theological Union Library, Berkeley, CA
1986
- Bazaar del Mundo, San Diego, CA
- Graffiti Gallery, Coven Garden, London, England
1985
- Bergsma Gallery, Director’s Show, Grand Rapids, MI
1984
- Bazaar del Mundo Gallery, San Diego, CA
1983
- Bazaar del Mundo Gallery, San Diego, CA
- Bergsma Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
- Loyola Marymount University Library, Los Angeles, CA
- University Religious Center, USC, Los Angeles, CA
1982
- Hearst Art Gallery, St. Mary’s College, Moraga, CA
- Rio Hondo College Library, Whittier, CA
1980-1982
- Small World Gallery, Venice, CA
1979
- Gardiner Arts Center, University of Sussex, Brighton, England
1978
- Louis Newman Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1977
- American Studies Resources Center of the Polytechnic of Central London, London, England
- Educational Art Gallery, Leeds, England
- Graves Gallery, Sheffield, England
1976
- Talisman Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
1975
- Bazaar del Mundo Gallery, San Diego, CA
1974
- Loyola University, Los Angeles, CA
- Brooks Institute, Santa Barbara, CA
- Bazaar del Mundo Gallery, San Diego, CA
- Loyola University, Los Angeles, CA
1973
- Bazaar del Mundo Gallery, San Diego, CA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2000
- Images of the Prodigal Son Traveling Exhibition (included 3 Swanson art works) at:
- Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
- Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN
- Wartburg College, Waverly, IA
1999
- 15th National Biennial Exhibition, Los Angeles Printmaking Society, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
1998
- Images of the Prodigal Son Traveling Exhibition, Northfield, MN, Steensland Art Museum, St. Olaf College
- Humor in Art, Los Angeles Printmaking Society, Lankershim Center Art Gallery, North Hollywood, CA
- Investing in American Art, American Artists Registry, The National Arts Club, New York, NY
1997
- De Pree Art Center and Gallery, Hope College, Holland, MI
- Bergsma Gallery, Christmas Unwrapped, Grand Rapids, MI
- The Folk Tree Collection, Pasadena, CA
- Monoprints and Serigraphs
1995
- Art Inspired by the Prodigal Son, Travelling Exhibition, Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison, WI
1993
- Los Angeles Printmaking Society 12th National Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA
- Laband Art Gallery, Loyola Marymount University (won Arjo-Wiggins Purchase Award)
- Color and Spirit, Buckley Center Gallery, University of Portland, Portland, OR
1992
- Bibliothèque Nationale, From Bonnard to Baselitz, Paris, France
1990
- Bibliothèque Nationale, Recent Acquisitions, Paris, France
- Legend, Lore, and Myth, Art Center, Sioux City, IA
- Kirsten Gallery, Seattle, WA
- Gallerie Julian, Alexandria, VA
1989-1990
- Graphic Arts Display, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC
1989
- Boston Printmakers 41st North American Print Exhibition, The Art Institute of Boston, Boston, MA
- Narrative Imagery in PostModern Los Angeles, Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
- U.S.U.K. Print Connection, London & other cities, U.K.
- Side by Side, U.S./Korea Prints, Los Angeles, Seoul, and Paris
1988
- Holiday Show, Blackman and Harry Gallery, London, England
- California North-South Prints, Mills College Art Gallery, Oakland, CA
- Venable Neslage Galleries, Washington, DC
- Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts, La Habra Heights, CA
- Bergsma Gallery (featured artist), Grand Rapids, MI
1987-1988
- Blackman and Harvey Gallery, London, England
1987
- Cal Print ‘86, Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA
- Five Weeks of Spring, Bergsma Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
1986
- Artists at Advanced Graphics, Holden Gallery, Manchester Polytechnic Gallery, Manchester, England
- Fenwicks of Newcastle, NewcastleuponTyne, England
- Oak Room Gallery, Cambridge, England
- Brand XV, Los Angeles Printmakers Juried Exhibition, Brand Library Art Galleries, Glendale, CA
- Printed Page, Winchester Guildhall Gallery, Winchester, England
- Miniatures, Bergsma Galleries, Grand Rapids, MI
- Selections, Los Angeles Printmaking Society, University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI
- Los Angeles Printmaking Society, Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
1985
- Bergsma Gallery (featured artist), Grand Rapids, MI
- Leicestershire Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester, England
- Hillcrest Festival of Fine Art (First Award, Graphics; First Award, Religious Art), La Habra Heights, CA
- Los Angeles Printmaking Society, Brand Library Gallery, Glendale, CA
- “Wall Works”, Los Angeles Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- “Printworks in Camden”, Camden Arts Centre, London, England
1984
- Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts (First Award, Graphics; First Award, Religious Art), La Habra Heights, CA
- Laguna Beach Museum of Art, “All California ‘84″, Laguna Beach, CA
1983
- International Exchange Exhibition of Prints, Los Angeles Printmaking Society (invitational), Seoul, Korea
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Art Rental Gallery, “Group Exhibition of Gallery Artists”, Los Angeles, CA
- Chaffey Community Art Association, Museum of History and Art, Ontario, CA
- “Annual Juried Show 3”, Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA
- Boston Printmakers 35th National Exhibition, Boston, MA
- Second Annual Print Juried Show, ARTLINK Gallery, Ft. Wayne, IN
- North Orange County Museum, Juried Show, Fullerton, CA
- Pacific States Print and Drawing Exhibition, University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI
- Second National Juried Show, Angels Gate Cultural Center, San Pedro, CA
- Los Angeles Printmaking Society Exhibit, Museum of History and Art, Ontario, CA
- Kansas Eight National Print and Drawing Exhibition, Ft. Hays State University, Hays, KS
- “Works on Paper”, Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- National Drawing and Print Show (First Prize for Prints), AAO Gallery, Buffalo, NY
- Los Angeles Printmaking Society 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Brand Library Gallery, Glendale, CA
- Fourth Alabama Works on Paper International Invitational Exhibition, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
- Long Beach Art Association Open Juried Exhibition, Long Beach, CA
- Pacific Regional 1983, Old Cabrillo Beach Museum, San Pedro, CA
- Tempo Gallery Graphics Exhibition, Appleton, WI
- Untitled 1983, Museum of North Orange County, Fullerton, CA
- Wesleyan 2nd International Invitational Exhibition of Prints, Wesleyan College, Macon, GA
1982
- Bazaar del Mundo Gallery, San Diego, CA
- Los Angeles Printmaking Society, New Member Show, San Pedro, CA
1980
- Aberbach Fine Art, Invitational Group Exhibit, London, England
- Thumb Gallery, Invitational Group Exhibit of Works Printed at Coriander Studio (traveling show to Manchester and Bristol), London, England
1979:
- King Street Gallery, Bristol, England (Invitational Group Exhibition)
- Roder Beckett Gallery, Sheffield, England (Invitational Group Exhibition)
- Curwen Gallery, London, England (Invitational Group Exhibition)
- Serpentine Gallery, London, England (Invitational Group Exhibition, as one of ten selected artists for the Annual Summer Show)
1978:
- Galerie Schloss Remseck, Neckarrems bei Stuttgart, Germany (Invitational Group Exhibition, 10th Anniversary Show)
- Graffiti Gallery, London, England (Invitational Group Exhibition of Portfolios)
- City Gallery, Vasteras, Stockholm, Sweden (Invitational Group Exhibition of Printmakers from Print Workshop, London)
- Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, France (Group Exhibition of four years of acquisitions)
- Joan Miro Foundation, Barcelona, Spain (International Drawing Competition and Traveling Exhibit)
1977:
- Lawrence University, Appleton, WI (Invitational Group Exhibition of Printmakers from London, England)
- Arts Council Traveling Show, England (Invitational Group Exhibition)
- Galerie Schloss Remseck, Neckarrems bei Stuttgart, Germany (Three Person Exhibition)
1976:
- Tate Gallery, London, England (Group Exhibition of Recent Graphic Acquisitions)
- Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, IL (Permanent Exhibition of Contemporary Acquisitions)
1975:
- India Ink Gallery, Chicago, IL (Invitational Group Exhibition)
1974:
- Los Angeles National Printmakers Annual Exhibition, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, CA
1973:
- Westwood Art Festival, Los Angeles, CA (Award)
- Bel Air Community Art Festival, Los Angeles, CA
- Crown Hall Center, Kansas City, MO
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
| INSTITUTION/LOCATION | ART WORK |
|
EUROPE |
|
| Brighton, England
University of Sussex Gardner Art Center Collection |
CONCERT ORCHESTRA |
| Leeds, England | |
| City Education Art Gallery | CONCERT
JONAH (Lithograph) MORNING SUITE (Various Media – 11 Prints) ORCHESTRA |
| Leicester, England
City Museum and Art Gallery |
MORNING SUITE (Various Media – 11 Prints) |
| London, England | CAROUSEL
RESTAURANT |
| London, England
Victoria and Albert Museum |
ORCHESTRA |
| Oldham, England
City Art Gallery |
ORCHESTRA |
| Sheffield, England
Graves Art Gallery |
MORNING SUITE (Various Media – 11 Prints) |
| Wiltshire, England
County Museum |
CIRCUS BICYCLIST
DANIEL (Etching) ORCHESTRA RAINY DAY ST. MICHAEL (Etching) |
| Paris, France | ABRAHAM AND ISAAC
CITY WALK (Suite of 9 Etchings) CONCERT INVENTOR JONAH (Lithograph) MINSTREL RESTAURANT SPACEMAN (Suite of 11 Etchings) |
| Stuttgart, Germany
Staatsgalerie |
CAROUSEL |
| Vatican City
Vatican Museums Collection of Modern Religious Art |
ECCLESIASTES
PROCESSION (Painting) STORY OF RUTH |
| INSTITUTION/LOCATION | ART WORK |
| United States | |
| Ann Arbor, Michigan
Concordia College |
CONDUCTOR
DREAM OF JACOB ECCLESIASTES EPIPHANY NATIVITY PEACEABLE KINGDOM SHEPHERDS SONG OF RUTH |
| Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore Museum of Art Kress Foundation for Prints, Drawings and Photographs |
CITY WALK (Suite of 9 Etchings) |
|
Berkeley, California University of California Bancroft Library Graphics Arts Loan Collection |
CIRCUS BICYCLIST RAINY DAY |
| Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Museum |
CITY WALK (Suite of 9 Etchings)
RAINY DAY |
| Cambridge, Massachusetts
Harvard University The Fogg Museum |
CONCERT |
| Chicago, Illinois
AMOCO Corporate Collection |
CAROUSEL
ECCLESIASTES INVENTOR MINSTREL PRODIGAL SON RESTAURANT TRAIN STATION |
| Chicago, Illinois | CAROUSEL |
| Chicago, Illinois
Lutheran Center The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
DREAM OF JACOB
ECCLESIASTES PROCESSION PRODIGAL SON STORY OF JOSEPH THE RIVER TRIPTYCH: SHEPHERDS, NATIVITY and EPIPHANY |
| Grand Rapids, Michigan
Calvin College |
JONAH (Lithograph)
TRIPTYCH: SHEPHERDS, NATIVITY and EPIPHANY |
| CELEBRATION
PRODIGAL SON THE RIVER DREAM OF JACOB STORY OF RUTH A VISIT |
|
| Jackson, Michigan
Jackson College Foundation Collection |
JONAH (Lithograph, 1983) |
|
CONDUCTOR PSALM 23 TALES OF HOFFMANN PEACEABLE KINGDOM Remarque |
|
Los Angeles, California University of California Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts |
CAROUSEL
TRAIN STATION |
| St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care | NATIVITY EPIPHANY SHEPHERDS CELEBRATION WASHING OF THE FEET PSALM 85 PEACEABLE KINGDOM A VISIT PRESENTATION |
| Associated Student Graphic Arts
Rental Collection |
STORY OF RUTH |
| Moraga, California
Saint Mary’s College Library Collection |
PRODIGAL SON |
| New York, New York
Print Collection |
THE MORNING SUITE (Suite of 10 Pieces) |
| Notre Dame, Indiana
University of Notre Dame |
ENTRY INTO THE CITY (Acrylic Painting on Canvas) |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Department |
ECCLESIASTES INVENTOR SPACEMAN (Suite of 11 Etchings) |
| Saint Paul, Minnesota
Luther Seminary |
More than 40 pieces |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Nativity The Shepherds Epiphany The Presentation Flight Into Egypt The River The Procession Prodigal Son Festival of Lights Peaceable Kingdom Peaceful Kingdom Last Supper Daniel Story of Joseph Good Samaritan Washing the Feet Noah Tryptic:Building the Ark Noah Tryptic:The Flood Noah Tryptic:The Rainbow |
| Saint Peter, Minnesota
Gustavus Adolphus College President’s Collection |
ECCLESIASTES |
| Spokane, Washington
Whitworth College |
ECCLESIASTES
RIVER TRIPTYCH: SHEPHERDS, NATIVITY and EPIPHANY |
| Thousand Oaks, California
California Lutheran University University Art Collection President’s Collection |
PEACEABLE KINGDOM STORY OF RUTH THE WEDDING FEAST A VISIT THE GREAT CATCH TRIPTYCH: SHEPHERDS, NATIVITY, and EPIPHANY |
| Valparaiso, Indiana
University of Valparaiso |
PEACEABLE KINGDOM
THE GREAT CATCH TRIPTYCH: SHEPHERDS, NATIVITY, and EPIPHANY |
| Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian Institution: National Air & Space Museum |
SPACEMAN SUITE (Suite of 11 Etchings) |
| National Museum of American Art | RAINY DAY |
| National Museum of American History | CIRCUS BICYCLIST
CIRCUS HORSES (Lithograph) ECCLESIASTES FRANCIS OF ASSISI (Lithograph) RAINY DAY |
| West Hollywood, California |
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION |
| Whittier, California
Rio Hondo College Library Gallery |
ORCHESTRA |
| Atlanta, Georgia | More than 55 pieces in the collection. Pitts Theology Library Extensive artworks and archival collection |
PUBLICATIONS
Periodicals:
- SUMMA Literatura Mexicana, special issue, 1998 (cover art reproduction)
- Life Magazine, December 1994 “Who Was Jesus?” (two-page reproduction of painting ENTRY INTO THE CITY)
- The Cresset, a Review of Literature, Arts, and Public Affairs, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso IN 1992 (cover art reproduction)
- The Cresset, a Review of Literature, Arts, and Public Affairs, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso IN 1991 “Paradise Regained: The Art of John August Swanson (art reproduction and subject of article)
- The Mirror, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO Dec. 1993 “John August Swanson: He Tells Biblical Stories with Pictures” (article with photo)
- Lutheran Woman Today, Apr. 1993 (cover art reproduction)
- Christmas: Annual of Christmas Literature and Art 1993 (article and art reproduction)
- The Tidings 1992 (cover art reproduction and article)
- The Sooner Catholic 1992
- The Sooner Catholic 1991 “John August Swanson—Today’s Narrative Artist”
- Today’s Liturgy, Planning Guide for Musicians and Liturgists 1991
- Grand Rapids Press Nov. 1988 “Self-taught artist’s love of color, detail shows in Calvin exhibition” (article with art reproduction)
- The Forum, San Diego 1987 “Naïve yet Elaborate, Swanson’s Art Defies Classification” (article with photo and art reproductions)
- Grand Rapids Press May 1985 “Swanson Tells it with His Brush” (article with photo)
- Parabola Winter 1977 (art reproduction)
- River Styx, Winter 1977 (back cover)
- Prevention, September 1975 (cover)
- Davka, Winter 1974 (art reproduction)
- Nouvelles de l’estampe, (periodical of Bibliothèque Nationale)1978 (art reproduction)
Books:
- Practicing Our Faith by Dorothy C. Bass, editor, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 1997 (cover)
- Ecclesiastes: There is a Season by Joan Chittister, Orbis Books, New York (serigraph ECCLESIASTES, first place in the spiritual category (hardcover) from the Catholic Press Association, 1996)
- Clothed in Christ: The Sacraments and Christian Living by Michael Downey, Crossroads Publishing, 1987
- Gates to the New City by Avon Books, New York 1983 (cover)
- Voices Within the Ark: The Modern Jewish Poets by Howard Schwartz and Anthony Rudolph, editors, Avon Books, New York, contracted for 1980 (cover)
- Gates to The Old City: A Treasury of Jewish Myths and Legends by Raphael Patai and Howard Schwartz, editors, Avon Books, New York, contracted for 1980 (cover)
- The Captive Soul of the Messiah: Legends by Howard Schwartz, Cauldron Press, St. Louis MO 1979 (cover and illustrations)
- Vessels Poems by Howard Schwartz , Unicorn Press, Greensboro, North California, 1977 (cover)
- Travels of A Latterday Benjamin of Tudelo Poems by Yehuda Amichai, joint publication of Western Review/The Menard Press/The Cauldron Press, St. Louis/London 1977 (front and back covers)
- For A Few Hours Only cover, joint publication by The Cauldron Press/The Menard Press, St.Louis/London 1976 (Selected Poems of Shlomo Vinner)
- Midrashim cover and illustrations, Menard Press, London, England, 1976 (Parables by Howard Schwartz)
- Imperial Messages cover, Bard Books, Avon Books, New York, 1976 (Anthology edited by Howard Schwartz)
- Dream Journal cover, Tree Books, Berkley, California, 1975 (Prose by Howard Schwartz)
- A Blessing Over Ashes cover, Tree Books, Berkley, California, 1974 (Prose by Howard Schwartz)
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Leon Levich: Quintet for Flute and Strings/Piano Works, Orion Records; Record Illustration
- Ros Bagdasarian: A Summer Day’s Delight/Songs, United Artists Records; Record Illustration. Presented as United Artists’ choice for the Art Director’s Show, New York, 1973, Special Award
- 1997 Liturgical Wall Calendar, Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Each month uses details from ECCLESIASTES.
- 1993 Liturgical Calendar, People of Faith, Augsburg Fortress Publishers
- 1992 Church Bulletin covers. Millions of bulletins have been distributed by Augsburg Fortress Publishers for Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), Moravian Church, and Episcopal Church.
AWARDS AND HONORS:
- Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts, La Habra Heights CA
- First prize-serigraph
- First prize- religious art
- Association of Art Organizations of Western New York, Buffalo, NY
- First Prize, prints
- Los Angeles Printmaking Society “12th National Exhibition” Los Angeles, CA
- Arjo-Wiggins USA Purchase Award 1993
- Doctorate of Humane Letters (honoris causa). California Lutheran University 1996
- Mother Theresa Award, 2005
- Mary Award, Immaculate Heart of Mary Community, 2012
- Hearts on Fire Award, Loyola Institute for Spirituality, 2013
- La Mancha Award, Casa Cornelia Law Center, 2015
- Honorary Doctor of Letters. Lorus College, Dubuque 2018
- Christus Rex, Valparaiso Institute of Liturgical Studies, 2018
- President’s Award, Loyola Marymount University, 2021
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lecture, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 1998
Lecture, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI 1998
Lecture, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN 1996
Lecture, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN 1996
Lecture, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA 1996
Lecture, Judson Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 1996
Lecture, Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN 1992
Lecture, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 1992
Lecture, Abbey of New Clairvaux, Vina, CA 1992
Lecture, All Souls’ Episcopal Church, San Diego, CA 1988
Television interview, “The Franklyn Interview,” Century Cable, Los Angeles CA l988
Lecture, Calvin College, Grand Rapids MI, 1988: “The Artist and His Art”
Lecture, Museum of History and Art, Ontario, CA 1987
Lecture, Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA 1984: “Silkscreen Printing, an Artist’s
Approach”
Lecture, Orange Coast College, Orange, CA 1985: “Use of Narrative Elements in Art”
Lecture, University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara CA: “The serigraphic process” 1982
Lecture, St. Mary’s College, Moraga, CA 1982