The Keokuk Art Center is pleased to welcome Margo Swena’s art show throughout the month of September. Her show“REVERENCE FOR MOTHER EARTH ~A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBUTE” is sponsored by Merle Eberline and the Keokuk Art Center. Everyone is invited to attend a reception for the artist on September 1, 2023, at the Keokuk Round Room galleries from
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. located at 210 North 5 th Street, Keokuk, Iowa.

Margo Swena‘s inspiration is born out of the glorious scenery, history, and saga of the Southwest, and her love and respect for Native American people, traditions and cultures. “I have long admired Native Americans’ respect and care of Mother Earth; their honor and gratitude to
Father Sky; bravery, wisdom and sheer determination for survival- amid great injustice and their reverence for all things living.” 

Margo’s love of oils, acrylics, and watercolors took a marvelous turn after studying with famed Utah portrait artist; Del Parson in 2012- 2013. Margo began a “love affair with the organic dry medium of charcoal made from Grapevine and Willow twigs and Mesquite, which are burned in
a kiln to remove the oxygen.” Discovering her gift for charcoal portraits after Parson’s class, Margo began experimentation with paints and charcoal. “I wanted to paint on an unprimed canvas, and I wanted the charcoal portraits to become permanent. I found that I could paint my
canvas with acrylic in wonderful desert hues and rich turquoise, and still work the charcoal by drawing, hatching, rubbing, and blending the charcoal with a chamois and my fingers.” A coat of Matt Permanent Fixative Spray is used to preserve the final piece. 

Margo tastefully uses authentic tribal embellishments, such as shells; Buffalo bone jewelry; turquoise beads or feathers, to adorn some pieces. “I feel it completes the circle from the organic charcoal to the Native subject matter, to the authentic tribal embellishment; I feel a connection.”
Margo’s ancestors have been traced to pure Mohawk 7th Generation Great Grandfather Chief Teoniahigarawe or Anglo name King Hendrick Theyanoguin 1680-1755 (a title given to him by Queen Anne.) “I am thrilled that we have recently been able to link to our 6th-12th generation Mohawk Native Ancestors.” 

Margo’s awards include 1st place/oils “Art of Jupiter’s Moon” 54th Annual Tri-State Exhibition- (ILL., IA., MO.) 1st place Water Color “Emerging Hope” 58th Annual Art Exhibition Keokuk IA Art Center, “Both pieces were inspired by my instructor; the famed/late Midwest Artist, Wendell Mohr. “Wendell taught me to Paint every day and let the paint take me where it wants to go.” Ist place Southern Utah Art Guild Fall Splendor Exhibition 2022 for ”Glory of the Desert” and 3rd place SUAG Beyond Reality Exhibition 2022 for “ Beyond Our Knowledge” Merit Award 2023 Keokuk Art Center Exhibition “Hopi Girl~Quiet Contemplation” as well as art shows throughout the Midwest, and Utah.

Margo’s exhibitions include a two-artist exhibition at Fort Madison Fine Art Center, Iowa, and a two-artist show for the Historic Fort Madison Iowa Rodeo’s “Rodeo History and Art Exhibition.” Margo co-owned Lock 19 Gallery in Keokuk, Iowa until her move back to Utah, where her art
became available at Split Rock Gallery in Ancestor Square; Split Rock’s 2019 Parade of Homes showcase; and Gallery 873 in Kayenta Art Village, Ivans, Utah, and currently represented by Arté in Southern Utah. 

Margo is a member of The Southern Utah Art Guild and Fort Madison Art Association ~ currently represented by Arrowhead Gallery St. George, and Arté Gallery in Utah, and Fort Madison Art Center, Fort Madison, Iowa. Margo’s works and commissions are in private collections. Margo recently moved back to her beloved Mississippi River town, Keokuk, Iowa
where she paints from her studio in her circa 1870 historic home.

One piece that will be on exhibit is of Chief Keokuk, which is painted on a 20 X 36 panel.