Artist Biography
Charlotte-based artist Dru Swan was born in Dallas, Texas, in 2001. Specializing in figures and portraits painted from life, Swan's work reflects her deep connection to form, nature, and identity. In 2022, she earned an Associate of Fine Arts in Painting from Central Piedmont Community College and is on track to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts 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. This year, 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.
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CV
Group Art Exhibitions:
Dark and Divine – Performance Suite, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, Charlotte, NC | October 2024
Blue – Lorem Ipsum Listening Bar, Charlotte, NC | September 2024
Global Studies – Lambla Gallery, UNCC, Charlotte, NC | September 2024
University Career Center – UNCC, Charlotte, NC | August 2024
It’s Like, Nude! – McColl Center, Charlotte, NC | February 2024
Annual Juried Student Exhibition – Rowe Gallery, UNCC, Charlotte, NC | February 2024
Flame and Symbol – Flux Galleries, Charlotte, NC | December 2023
Believers and Cowards – Petra’s Art Lounge, Charlotte, NC, Exhibiting Artist | October 2023
Pink Solar – Flux Galleries, Charlotte, NC | December 2022
The Last Night – Petra’s Art Lounge, Charlotte, NC | October 2022
Safe Space – VAPA Center, Charlotte, NC | August - September 2022
FAFO – The Chamber by Wooden Robot, Charlotte, NC | July 2022
The Day of Abstract Structure – Petra’s Art Lounge, Charlotte, NC | February 2022
Awards:
Winner – Talking Walls Speed Paint Showdown, Lenny Boy Brewing, Charlotte, NC | February 2024
Kappy McCleneghan Drawing Award – CPCC Annual Juried Student Art Show, Charlotte, NC | April - July 2022
Painting Award – CPCC Annual Juried Student Art Show, Charlotte, NC | April - July 2022
Painting Award – CPCC Annual Juried Student Art Show, Charlotte, NC | April - July 2021
Permanent Collection – CPCC, Charlotte, NC | Ongoing
Education:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Charlotte, NC
B.A. in Art with Concentration in Painting | January 2023 - December 2025
Central Piedmont Community College – Charlotte, NC
Associates in Fine Arts | January 2020 - May 2022
Events:
Panelist – Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, Charlotte, NC | October 2024
Panelist –Lorem Ipsum Listening Bar, Charlotte, NC | October 2024
Live Painter – Sue Lemmond Helms Community Art House, Charlotte, NC | September 2024
Press:
Artist Feature – ArtintheQC, Art Advocacy Organization | October 2024
