St. Paul’s Monastery is pleased to welcome painter Holly Newton Swift for an upcoming gallery exhibition opening June 1. This new show invites viewers into a deeply reflective body of work shaped by decades of engagement with the natural world—particularly the rugged, ever-changing landscape of Minnesota’s North Shore.
Swift’s artistic vision is rooted in her long relationship with the wilderness along Lake Superior, where she has returned to paint for over 20 years. These remote and powerful environments have become the primary influence in her work, inspiring an ongoing exploration of the connection between natural elements and the experience of place. Working both on location and later in her studio, her drawings and paintings emerge through a process that blends observation with reflection.
Originally from Illinois, Swift holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Chicago and brings over 25 years of teaching experience in drawing, painting, and design. Her academic career has included Lamar University in Texas, as well as the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Hamline University in Minnesota. In addition to teaching, she has served as a visiting artist, offering workshops that invite others into creative engagement with the landscape.
Her work is held in both public and private collections, including the Minnesota History Center, Voyageurs National Park, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Macalester College, and Izumi City Hall in Japan. She has participated in multiple artist residencies, including those at Voyageurs National Park, the Hill Country Arts Foundation, and the Grand Marais Art Colony. Swift is also featured in the film Painting the Place Between, which highlights artists inspired by the natural world and Minnesota landscape. She is currently represented by Lowry Gallery in Minneapolis.
The exhibition at St. Paul’s Monastery will open on June 1 and will include an opening evening reception. Holly Newton Swift will offer an artist talk, providing insight into her process, inspirations, and the evolving relationship between art and landscape in her work.
All are welcome to attend and experience this compelling exploration of place, time, and transformation.