River of Time – Celebrating the Work of Paula Swenson
Paula Swenson (1952 – 2026) was a beloved and well-known artist from the Bemidji, Minnesota Community.
“Paula enjoyed opening young minds to the vast world of art. She encouraged it. She planted it and nurtured it. She grew art into souls like flowers in a garden.” -family member
The exhibit at Watermark contains work from family/private collections, most that have never been previously exhibited.
WATERMARK EXHIBIT: May 8 to July 25, 2026 (some work for sale in SHOP 505)
GALLERY TALK Friday July 24, 5 – 7pm talk at 5:30. Learn the stories behind some of Swenson’s iconic paintings from family and friends
BRIGID’S PUB EXHIBIT: now through May 13 (work for sale)
CELEBRATION OF LIFE – Community Invite: May 15, 2 – 4:30 at the Loft in Downtown Bemidji.
View more of Paula’s work at: www.riveroftimestudio.com
“Painting has always been more than mere strokes of pigment on canvas for me—it’s a voyage through emotions and narratives, where each hue and texture comes together to create a symphony of feelings. My artistic odyssey has been a continuous exploration of the human experience, capturing its essence and translating it into visual stories that resonate with hearts and minds alike.”
“Through my art, I aim to weave connections between the tangible and the intangible, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and discovery. With each stroke of the brush, I endeavor to capture the essence of existence and share it with the world in vibrant, evocative hues.” – Paula Swenson (November 4, 1952 – January 28, 2026)
ARTIST BIO Paula J Swenson
November 4, 1952 – January 28, 2026
My artistic path was paved with education at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In 1975, I proudly earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), armed with skills, perspectives, and a burning passion for the craft that would shape my artistic voice.
One of my notable accomplishments includes the “Landscape of Sound KBXE” mural, an ode to the power of auditory artistry, gracing the streets of Bemidji (305 America Ave NW, Bemidji, Minnesota). Additionally, “Over the Rainbow,” exhibited at the MacRostie Art Center in September 2012, transported viewers on a colorful journey of imagination.
– Quoted from www.riveroftimestudio.com
BIO Gary Duane Thomton (Longtime companion and husband of Paula)
January 12, 1940 – November 13, 2025
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was raised and educated in Minneapolis and Bemidji, graduating Bemidji High School in 1958. On March 28, 2001, Gary married Paula Swenson in Taos, New Mexico.
Gary lived and worked in Mound and Bemidji, Minnesota as a skilled carpenter. He had an incredible talent in working with customers to determine what their goals were in a new home or remodeling project and had an artistic gift of putting dreams on paper, and ultimately in construction.
Throughout his life he had a love of fine woodworking with exotic woods. He loved designing and building furniture.
Gary was a motorcycle enthusiast and loved riding and building motorcycles. He worked for Habitat for Humanity in Bemidji and traveled to South Carolina to assist Hurricane Hugo victims. Gary was a very caring man and is missed by many.
