About Us

Who We Are
Owned by Jim and Ann Swanson, Valley Art Group is a sales representative agency that specializes in bringing better gift, home décor, garden, men’s, women’s and kid’s accessories, and bath and body lines to retailers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota.

Jim & Ann Swanson, Valley Art Group Owners

Where We Are
Based at the Minneapolis Gift Mart in Green 494, we have  six shows per year. The showroom is also open by appointment. ​

Our Philosophy
With 30+ years of experience in the gift industry, we look for lines that are unique and have qualities that distinguish them from others. We work with many regional makers, artisans and manufacturers that embrace Fair Trade principles.

In this constantly changing marketplace, we focus on more than just presenting product and writing orders. We want to help build your business by creating your “story” with exciting products that support your store’s mission.

We also believe it’s important to have fun! We enjoy cultivating relationships with our customers and the companies we represent.

How We Started
Valley Art Group was created by Jim Swanson in 2003.  After 20+ years of being a professional rep in the Upper Midwest he felt it was time to do what he does best: find great lines and bring them to his customers with a large dose of humor. It’s in this spirit that he developed Valley Art Group.

In 2017, his partner, Ann Swanson, joined Valley Art Group full time. Ann has 20+ years experience managing retail stores and as a catalog buyer. In March 2020, she made a decision to return to the cataloging business but still likes to tell Jim how to run the business. After all these years together, she still laughs at Jim’s jokes!