VERN SWANSEN

 

Artist, architect, and beloved professor Vern Swansen grew up in Pasadena, CA and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Southern California. During his time at USC, Swansen was initiated as a brother of the Andronicus Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi. After practicing architecture for some time, Vern moved to Santa Barbara. There, he served as the President of the Santa Barbara Art Association and as the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Curator of Education from 1961‐1971. Vern received his Master of Art from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland in 1975. After teaching at the Santa Barbara City College, Vern moved to teach architecture and watercolor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In 1987, he received the faculty merit award from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, which presently is in the form of one of his paintings.

 

Vern served as a vital part of the Daedalus Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi as a faculty advisor and beloved mentor. Upon his passing, the entirety of his collection of works was left to the Daedalus Chapter. We take a large pride in this collection and continue to catalog, organize, and distribute his paintings for viewing to this day. Our wish is for everyone to love and appreciate Vern's collection of over 4,000 pieces the way that we do.