Molly O’Connor/Winonan

Winona State University graduate and photographer Sydney Swanson recently had an exhibition in Smith Studio and Gallery in downtown Winona.

Walking into Smith Studio, attendees are met with a sea of blue. The wall facing the door holds images that capture New Zealand’s beaches and blue skies. Next to them is a small section dedicated to framed images taken on Swanson’s iPhone of everyday objects.

For Swanson, her favorite pieces came from different countries.

“I’d say my favorites were the ones from New Zealand – the wall you’re looking at right when you come in the gallery,” Swanson said. “There was something so surreal about being so far away in a different country and to also be capturing all the beauty and quirks there.”

Smith Studio and Gallery has officially displayed Swanson’s photography for the month of February. An opening art show for Swanson’s pieces took place on Feb. 4, showcasing photos of beaches and the serenity of nature as well as moments captured in cities and towns.

Swanson’s friend Kevin Ihrke, who runs the Smith Studio and Gallery, helped her get her art on display.

“He mentioned he didn’t have an artist for February and asked if I’d like to show some of my work,” Swanson said. “He helped me a lot with the process, as it is my first time showing my work in a space.”

Swanson, a Winona State graduate as of December 2013, majored in photojournalism and minored in dance and sustainability. The coursework for her major taught her what goes into capturing, composing and exposing a photo to get the final outcome to look exactly as she pictured it.

Swanson’s passion for art began at a young age, when she was just four years old and taking dance lessons.

“I’ve always had a creative drive, it’s just come about in different forms,” Swanson said. “Dance at age four, photography when I could hold a camera.”

Swanson is seldom tied to doing just one thing.

Along with her dancing and photography, Swanson has taken interest in scrapbooking, greeting cards, knitting, crocheting and making bracelets.

Swanson said, “I always used to think making art only looked a certain way, like a painting or a drawing.”

Swanson is expanding her focal point in photography, trying new subjects to capture. Though she’s always been a fan of nature, she’s interested in architecture and human subjects.

“I’m learning to be open to shooting anything,” Swanson said. “I’ve had a closed-minded view about certain genres of photography, but I’ve realized I’ll never know if I actually like them or not until I try them. I love to dabble and try new things and tend to stay away from too much monotony.”

Swanson’s interest in continuing art stems from her passion and her belief that practice makes perfect.

She said, “Interest inspired me to start experimenting, and curiosity is inspiring me to continue.”