Best of the Northland

Adam Swanson

For a relatively small city Duluth has a fairly active arts community. There are, however, a finite number of spaces where one can show one's work, and once you start poking around you will quickly see who's actively seeking venues to display. One of these is painter Adam Swanson. Before coming to Duluth Swanson spent a year abroad. At one point he lived in Antarctica for a 9 month contract position fixing and working on boats used for science. The contract left him in South America where he spent a few months traveling. He eventually landed in MN. All these experiences have been absorbed into his themes which include bicycles, penguins and windmills, always splashingly alive with vivid color.

Swanson loves all art forms but it is his paintings on masonite that are most readily recognized. His shows about town have included Lizzards Gallery, Ochre Ghost, The Venue at Mohaupt Block and live painting at Pineapple Arts. But his very cool piece behind the bar at Zeitgeist is one of his most recognized. I mean, if you haven’t been there you haven’t been anywhere. He’s young and obviously has a following because this year he’s garnered the vote and for this we’re pleased to share that in the same way he so liberally shares the colors on his palette. Congrats, Adam!

2nd Place: Brian Barber