The Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center acquired the Schwiering collection in 1999, thanks to the philanthropy of William Schwiering, the family of Mary Ethel Schwiering, and Elaine and Jack Rosenthal."
The entire studio collection was given to the museum. This incredible collection includes more than 2,500 sketches and field studies in oil, watercolor and pencil, and a library of hundreds of volumes on art subjects. |
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The Nicolaysen is extremely proud and grateful that it has been chosen as the permanent repository for the legacy of this fine artist.The artist’s studio has been recreated here using the easels, brushes, models, and materials that were included in the gift from the Schwiering family. We hope that this gallery will continue to help Conrad Schwiering share his love of art and of Wyoming with the public.
The Schwiering Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00pm to 4:00 pm. |
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Conrad Schwiering was born in Boulder, Colorado in 1916. He moved to Laramie, Wyoming as a youth and later, he lived and worked in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a place that provided inspiration, with its majestic mountains and forests.
“The environment of Jackson Hole stimulates me; the crisp air, the often bitter cold, and the snow-covered mountains challenge one’s courage. Environmental factors, along with friendly, strong people, are all forces of encouragement. I’m sure all this has affected and changed me, shaped my thinking and guided my destiny, especially in making me aware of my independence.”
- Conrad Schwiering
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Schwiering knew he wanted to live in Jackson Hole when he was attending grade school in Laramie. His father would take trips to Jackson for the
University of Wyoming and take young Connie with him.
After his service in World War II, Conrad studied with Robert Graham in Denver and then moved to New York City. He says the foundation for his painting success occurred while he was there at the Art Student’s League. He then moved to Jackson Hole with his wife, Mary Ethel, whom he met and married while they were attending the University of Wyoming. Once in Jackson, Conrad was not sure if he was going to be able to make a living as an artist.
“People then weren’t too conscious of art. Other artists had tried it in Jackson, and most of them failed because they just couldn’t build a large enough clientele to allow them to continue painting.” |
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Conrad had faith that if he could just paint the magnificent world he saw around him, then people would
appreciate and buy his paintings. He often said that the Grand Tetons were his best salesmen.
“As a painter he has captured theglorious majesty, the grandeur of the ever-changing moods of the Tetons-every nuance, every color, every hue. He is deft in touch and accurate and minute in every detail. His paintings reflect the bold imagination and great strength of the man. He strikes out like the master he is and paints with fervor because of the love of his subject and a justified confidence in a God-given talent.”
- Milward L. Simpson
Former Wyoming Governor and Senator
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