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 5th 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”.