Ray Swanson: A Life Lived the Beauty Way

Download the Western Art Collector article (PDF) on this exhibit.

The Phippen Museum currently features the Ray Swanson Retrospective Exhibition: A Life Lived the Beauty Way. This comprehensive exhibition presents over 60 of Ray's paintings that span from the beginning of his 40-year career through his final work created in 2004 before his passing. As one of the best known painters in Arizona, Swanson's work will grace the walls of the Phippen Museum until July 6, 2008. This one-of-a-kind exhibit also offers a rare opportunity to view unique artifacts and garments worn by his painting subjects to complement the paintings.

The Phippen Museum is proud to be the venue the Swanson family selected to present this dynamic and unique retrospective of Ray Swanson CA (1937-2004). In addition to the exhibit, the Swanson family has also partnered with the Museum to create a permanent replica of Ray Swanson's painting studio that will remain after the retrospective exhibition closes in July 2008. The opening will be the first time the studio replica will be unveiled to the general public, which will contain Ray's easel, palette and his last unfinished painting.

"The Phippen Museum is extremely honored and proud to be chosen venue to host this special tribute...to a person who was a well respected friend, an outstanding artist, a strong supporter of the Museum, and a deserving citizen of Prescott, Arizona," Kim Villalpando, executive director of the Phippen Museum, said.

Ray Swanson CA celebrated his life by understanding and appreciating the differences in cultural diversity and heritages throughout the world. He showed great respect for the unique nature and traditions of the Hopi and Navajo cultures, so much so, that both tribes recognized his efforts in realistically documenting their lives. Ray enjoyed the Cowboy Life and built a career around his beautiful portrayals of daily life on the ranch.

"More often than not, there are people in my paintings, and I endeavor to express their lives through their daily activities, labor and crafts," Swanson once commented.

Swanson received numerous medals and honors at major art exhibitions, including the National Academy of Western Art, American Watercolor Society, Royal Western Watercolor Exhibit, Artists of America Show, Franklin Mint Gallery of Art, the George Phippen Show, and the gold and silver medals at the Cowboy Artists of America Show. The 1994 Catlin Peace Pipe Award bestowed on Swanson for art that demonstrates the unusual sensitivity and perpetuates the viability of the Native American culture. In 2000 another honor was bestowed upon Ray when he was chosen to represent Arizona at the Library of Congress Bicentennial in Washington, D.C. He was included in the Local Legacy Program that documents the nation's rich cultural heritage to share with future generations of Americans.

Ray and his wife, Beverly, raised two wonderful children together, Pamela and Steve, who have gone on to expand the family with five beautiful grandchildren. His lifetime will live on in his children and grandchildren and the beautiful paintings he produced in his 45-year career. In Navajo belief, the Beauty Way is the way through which beauty, balance and harmony are maintained in life. To "walk in beauty" means to be at peace and in harmony with all things and all people. Ray Swanson lived "the Beauty Way" in his career and his personal life. His strong commitment to family, religion and his art led him to achieve magnificent things during his career, as well as to inspire other artists and patrons worldwide.

The Phippen Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to preserve and exhibit museum quality Western art, and educate the public about the unique heritage, history, legends, and influence of art of the American West. All proceeds go to benefit the Phippen Foundation. The Museum is located just a few minutes north of downtown Prescott at 4701 Highway 89 North. For additional information please call (928) 778-1385.