The Bismarck Art & Galleries Association invites the public to experience A Touch of Whimsy, a new exhibition featuring artwork by AJ Bauers, alongside a featured member exhibition by John Swanson. The exhibit will be on display June 2–19, 2026, with an opening reception on Tuesday, June 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

AJ Bauers brings a vibrant collection of paintings that celebrate imagination, color, and creativity. Working primarily in acrylic, Bauers embraces experimentation through the use of nontraditional painting tools and techniques that create rich textures and dynamic surfaces. Her artwork often combines playful imagery with bold color palettes, inviting viewers to see the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder. In addition to acrylic painting, Bauers explores ink, watercolor, and mixed media, creating works that are both expressive and engaging.

Complementing the main gallery exhibition is a featured member showcase by John Swanson. A lifelong painter with more than seventy years of artistic practice, Swanson draws inspiration from the natural world while moving beyond direct representation. His abstract paintings emerge from personal responses to nature, memory, and emotion, creating atmospheric compositions that invite reflection and interpretation.

Swanson studied art at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and later attended the University of Minnesota School of Architecture. While his professional career focused on architecture and design, painting remained a constant and deeply personal form of expression. His current work seeks to give visual form to experiences and perceptions that exist beyond language, resulting in paintings that are both thoughtful and evocative.

Together, these exhibitions offer visitors a diverse artistic experience, pairing Bauers’ playful and energetic approach with Swanson’s contemplative abstractions. The result is a celebration of creativity in its many forms, from joyful experimentation to deeply personal exploration.

Visitors are encouraged to attend the opening reception on June 2 to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and be among the first to experience these new exhibitions.

Bismarck Art & Galleries Association is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Admission is free.