Eliza Swann
Eliza Swann, also known as Emerald, is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and alchemist whose work explores mysticism and its relationship to contemporary arts practice. In 2014, they founded Golden Dome, a nonprofit art school for mystics dedicated to experimental creative education. Swann is the author of The Anatomy of the Aura (St. Martin's, 2020) Green Mary (Cosmic Dog House Press, 2024), and The Alchemical Imagination (Weiser/Red Wheel). They have published essays in BOMB, Momus, Contemporary Art Review LA, Perfect Wave, and many other anthologies. They currently serve on the faculty of Pratt Institute, where they teach alchemy.
The Alchemical Imagination
The Alchemical Imagination reawakens alchemy as a living creative practice for the present moment. Eliza Swann invites readers into a transformative journey that blends hands-on exercises with visionary histories of artists and alchemists. Illuminating overlooked female figures and queer symbolism, the book sparks new ways of imagining creativity, transformation, and art itself. Out May 5th, 2026.
Paul Thek, Technological Reliquaries, 1967, image courtesy PACE Gallery
Alchemical Imagination Tour
May 9th, HausWitch, Salem, MA
May 17th, Jefferson Market Library, New York, NY
May 21st, Oblong Books, Rhinebeck, NY
June 4th, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, Edinburgh, UK
June 11th, Treadwell’s, London, UK
June 21st, PRS, Los Angeles, CA
June 27th, Desert General, 29 Palms, CA
July 3rd, Word Virus, Portland, OR
July 10th, Et al. Gallery, San Francisco, CA
July 10th, The Henry Miller Library, Big Sur, CA
July 14th, London College of Psychic Studies, ONLINE
October 18th, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
2026
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Eliza Swann is artist in residence at Chokechaka, in Cusco, Peru in January, 2026.
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Eliza Swann is artist in residence at the Snake Hair Riso Print residency in Providence, RI in March, 2026.
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Eliza Swann joins The Earth Healers to dive into alchemy and art, focusing on what alchemy actually is and how it can be understood and practiced in a grounded and accessible way. She explains alchemy as a blend of hands-on work and inner awareness, describing how processes like making plant tinctures and pigments reflect deeper personal transformation, where the state of the practitioner directly influences the outcome. The conversation walks through key ideas such as the stages of alchemy, the meaning of the philosopher’s stone, and how symbolic language and imagery can be used to shift perception and unlock creativity. Swann also shares the structure behind her book, The Alchemical Imagination, showing how these stages can be applied through simple practices, emotional awareness, and creative exercises rather than requiring advanced knowledge or a laboratory.
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Eliza Swann organized a Tarot-thon for Immigrant Justice, inviting 60 diviners to raise funds for Al Otro Lado, Black Immigrants Bail Fund, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, and Queer Immigrant Justice Project—organizations providing direct legal, housing, and other essential services to immigrant communities.
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On April 13, Eliza Swann will present as part of Polymorphic Practice, introducing Golden Dome’s framework for connecting with art. Free to join!
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“The Alchemical Imagination” is a year-long online immersion that meets monthly, guiding participants through the twelve stages of transformation outlined by the alchemist George Ripley in his teachings on the Philosopher’s Stone.
