Bio

Dru Swan (b. Dallas, Texas, 2001) specializes in figures and portraits painted from life, Swan's work reflects her profound connection to form, nature, and identity. In 2022, she earned an AFA in Painting from Central Piedmont Community College and is on track to complete her BFA in Painting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte by 2025. Swan’s artwork has been showcased in several prominent group exhibitions, including the Dark and Divine pop-up at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture and the It's Like, Nude! pop-up at the McColl Center. In 2024, she also exhibited alongside local artists in the Global Studies exhibition at Lambla Gallery. While continuing her studies, Swan works from her home studio in Charlotte and is actively pursuing gallery opportunities. Her dedication to painting from life and capturing the essence of her subjects ensures that her work remains grounded in both technical skill and emotional resonance.

CV

Education

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2023-2025 Bachelors in Fine Arts with Concentration in Painting

Central Piedmont Community College

2020-2022 Associates in Fine Arts

Group Art Exhibitions

2025 Annual Juried Student Exhibition Rowe Gallery, UNCC, Charlotte, NC

2024

Dark and Divine Performance Suite, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, Charlotte, NC

Blue Lorem Ipsum Listening Bar, Charlotte, NC

Global Studies Lambla Gallery, UNCC, Charlotte, NC

University Career Center UNCC, Charlotte, NC

It’s Like, Nude! McColl Center, Charlotte, NC

Annual Juried Student Exhibition Rowe Gallery, UNCC, Charlotte, NC

2023

Flame and Symbol Flux Galleries, Charlotte, NC

Believers and Cowards Petra’s Art Lounge, Charlotte, NC

2022

Pink Solar Flux Galleries, Charlotte, NC

The Last Night Petra’s Art Lounge, Charlotte, NC

Safe Space VAPA Center, Charlotte, NC

FAFO The Chamber by Wooden Robot, Charlotte, NC

The Day of Abstract Structure Petra’s Art Lounge, Charlotte, NC

Awards

2024 Winner Talking Walls Speed Paint Showdown, Lenny Boy Brewing, Charlotte, NC

2022

Kappy McCleneghan Drawing Award CPCC Annual Juried Student Art Show, Charlotte, NC

Painting Award CPCC Annual Juried Student Art Show, Charlotte, NC

2021

Painting Award CPCC Annual Juried Student Art Show, Charlotte, NC

Permanent Collection CPCC, Charlotte, NC

Events

2024

Panelist Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, Charlotte, NC

Panelist Lorem Ipsum Listening Bar, Charlotte, NC

Live Painter Sue Lemmond Helms Community Art House, Charlotte, NC

Press

2025 Artist Feature NinerTimes

2024 Artist Feature ArtintheQC, Art Advocacy Organization