The Swedish-American Art Association was founded on February 5, 1905, by a number of Chicago artists with the goal of promoting the work of Swedish-American artists. Sculptor Carl Johan Nilsson was chosen as president. The association was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1905.

First exhibition

The ''Swedish-American Art Association'' opened its first exhibition of eighty pieces at the ''Anderson Art Galleries'' in Chicago in October 1905. The exhibition was extended from two weeks to three weeks due to its popularity. Participants in the exhibition included the Swedish-American artists

Gerda Ahlm Gerda Maria Ahlm (May 24, 1869 – 1956) was a Swedish-born painter and art conservator. Biography Gerda Maria Ahlm was born in Västerås, Sweden. She studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Art in Stockholm (1889-91) and later studied etching ...

, Arvid Nyholm and

Henry Reuterdahl Henry Reuterdahl (August 12, 1870 – December 21, 1925) was a Swedish-American painter highly acclaimed for his nautical artwork. He had a long relationship with the United States Navy. In addition to serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the U ...

. The Swedish artists Carl Larsson,

Bruno Liljefors Bruno Andreas Liljefors (; 14 May 1860 – 18 December 1939) was a Swedish artist. He is perhaps best known for his nature and animal motifs, especially with dramatic situations. He was the most important and probably most influential Swedish wil ...

, Anders Zorn and Anshelm Schultzberg sent canvases from Sweden, and Charles Friberg sent three sculptures.

Later exhibitions

Exhibits were held in later years, though not always annually. The 1929 exhibit was held in conjunction with the ''Illinois Women's Athletic Club'' at which 136 pieces by forty-eight artists were exhibited. The 1934 exhibit was held at the

Swedish Club of Chicago The Swedish Club of Chicago is a historic building located in Chicago, Illinois. During the late 19th century the Swedish Club was an important center for the Swedish American Swedish Americans ( sv, svenskamerikaner) are Americans of Swedes, ...

''.'' Thirty-nine artists exhibited eighty-two works in the categories of black and whites, oil paintings, sculpture, water colors and "In Memoriam." The Swedish-American Art Association held exhibitions to at least 1936 when an exhibit was held at the Marshall Field's department store in Chicago.Swanson, Mary Towley, "A Tangled Web: Swedish Immigrant Artists' Patronage Systems, 1880-1940" (2004). Art History Faculty Publications. 9.(http://ir.stthomas.edu/arthistory_pub/9)

References and notes

Art societies Swedish-American culture in Chicago 1905 establishments in the United States