ABOUT

Eliza Swann aka Emerald is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and educator based in New York.

They are 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, 2026). Their writing has appeared in BOMB, Arthur, Contemporary Art Review LA, Momus, and Perfect Wave and they contributed writing to Witchcraft (Taschen) and Modern Witches (Weiser).

Eliza received a BA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Central St. Martins in London. As a visual artist, Eliza has exhibited artwork internationally, most recently at the University of California Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, CA), and the Feminist Center for Creative Work (Los Angeles, CA).

Their work has been supported by grants from PEN America, Foundation for Contemporary Art, Author’s League Fund, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Pratt Faculty Development Fund, and the Hemera Fellowship for Contemplative Practice. They have been artist in residence at The California Botanic Gardens, The Feminist Center for Creative Work,The Saint Cecilia Convent, Soundfjord, The Future, and Wassaic Project.

Eliza is currently faculty at Pratt Institute, where they teach literature and alchemy. They were the 2023 lecturer-in-residence at the Philosophical Research Society where they led a series of talks on alchemy.

Eliza is also founder of the Golden Dome School and now Emerald School, alternative schools that explore the mystical dimensions of art. Emerald School produces exhibitions, performances, classes, and publications year round and nationwide. In this capacity, Eliza has collaborated with numerous cultural institutions across the United States to bring queer intersectional mysticism and art to the public including Coaxial Arts, Feminist Center for Creative Work, The Hammer Museum, The Philosophical Research Society and more.

Contact: elizaswann@gmail.com