History
I created my first mosaic in a college art class out of scraps of painted paper. I was instantly obsessed with the process of creating a whole out of practically nothing and started to notice mosaics everywhere. Soon after, I walked into a commercial tile shop and left with several boxes of free tile that were going to be thrown away. I raced home immediately to break it up and then glue to the surface of my coffee table all while using the wrong tools and adhesives. After working with tile, I craved material with more drama and sparkle. I began to experiment with china, glass, shells, old jewelry and eventually rhinestones and beads when I could afford them. Each project became bigger and better. In the meantime, as an art student at the University of Minnesota, I focused on drawing and ceramics and studied mosaic art independently. By graduation I was teaching, exhibiting and selling fine art mosaics to the public.
It has now been nine years since I frantically covered my coffee table with free scrap tile. I have grown into sculpting my own surfaces for my mosaic art, creating mirror surrounds, dimensional panels and free standing sculpture from scratch. I also focus on exhibiting my work internationally, creating mosaic public artworks, private commissions and leading advanced workshops and classes. I made the leap to become a full-time artist in 2006 and have been "living the dream" ever since.
Statement
I have a passion for creating elaborate mosaics and large scale, voluminous surfaces on which they adorn. Inspiration comes from a variety of sources such as Moorish architecture, vintage French interiors, botanicals, childrens literature, textiles, and eccentric designers such as the iconic, Tony Duquette.
I am constantly developing new ideas and challenging existing ones. For example, I've pushed my mirrors from two dimensional, flat shapes into three dimensional forms with baroque curls branching off. This sculpting technique has become another laborious process, in addition to the mosaic, but is also one of my favorite parts.
I collect mosaic materials from many different places such as local glass stores, online suppliers and secret "junk ladies" who let me comb through their supplies. I often receive calls from people who are ready to let go of a coveted collection, sea shells or old jewelry, for example. I take pleasure in putting new life to these materials with a mysterious past.
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Bio
Sharra Frank, cited as “A superstar in the making” by Josh Blanc, the president of the Handmade Tile Association, creates upscale mosaic artwork for residential, commercial and public spaces.
Sharra’s mosaic work has been collected by Gerard Cafesjian of the Gerard Cafesjian Museum of Art in Armenia in 2004 and was featured in the Mosaic Arts International juried exhibition in 2007. Sharra has led and created public mosaic artworks including an interior mural for the Neighborhood House, located in the Paul and Shelia Wellstone Center for Community, an exterior sculpture for the Stepping Stone Theatre for Youth Development and an interior mural for Goodwill Easterseals, all located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Recent publications of Sharra’s mosaic work include the Minneapolis Star Tribune, KARE 11, Metro Magazine, Rake Magazine, Marque Magazine, Mosaic Art Now, Alive Magazine and DesignSpongeonline.com.
Sharra Frank is thirty years old and originally from North Dakota. She currently resides in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband.
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RESUME
EDUCATION
University of Minnesota B.A. in Studio Arts 2004
Katherine Nash Gallery Internship 2003-2005
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Society of American Mosaic Artists Conference, Miami 2008
Woutrina De Raad Sculpture Workshop, Beldenville, WI 2007
Lori Green Sculpture workshop, St. Paul, MN. 2007
Society of American Mosaic Artists Conference, Mesa 2007
Steve Aimone Design! Workshop, Mesa, AZ 2007
Judy Onofrio, Informational Interview, MN 2006
National Tile Conference, Tile of the North, Minneapolis, MN 2006
Society of American Mosaic Artists Conference, Chicago 2006
Stoney Stone Internet for Artists Workshop, Minneapolis, MN 2006
Sonia King Advanced Mosaic Art Workshop, St. Paul, MN 2005
Julie Richie Smalti Glass Workshop, St. Paul, MN 2005
Wendy Lane Marketing for Artists Workshop, St. Paul, MN 2005
Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota Mentor Program 2005- 2007
Society of American Mosaic Artists Conference, California 2003
Full list available upon request.
EXHIBITIONS AND GALLERIES
Rome to Redwing, Mosaics in Minnesota, Works of the MMG, Minnesota, 2009
American Craft Council Show, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2009
Necessary Ornamentation MMG, Metro State University, Minnesota, 2008
Smoke and Mirrors Clay Squared, Minneapolis, Minnesota 2007
Mosaic Arts International Mesa Art Center, Mesa, Arizona 2007
Mosaica Gallery 360, Minneapolis, Minnesota 2006
Tiles of the North Ripple River Gallery, Aitkin, Minnesota 2006
Warm Mentor/Protegee Exhibition Minneapolis, Minnesota 2006
Palette of the Heart National Council of Jewish Women, Minnesota
Emotion Minnesota Mosaic Guild, St. Paul, Minnesota 2005
Mirror Mirror Clay Squared, Minneapolis, Minnesota 2005
Midwest Mosaic Invitational Chicago, Illinois, 2004
The Art of Embellishment Clay Squared, Minnesota 2004
Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition 2003
Full list available upon request.
PUBLICATIONS
L'etoile Magazine Blog, Art-A-Whirl Spotlight: Sharra Frank, May 2009
CasaSugar, Home Sweet Home. Crave Worthy: Chandelier Mosaic, Feb 2009
KARE@4, Made in Minnesota Gift Guide, December 2008
Marque Magazine, November 2008
Showcase Minnesota, KARE 11. Making Mosaics with Sharra Frank, Sept 2008
Rake Magazine. Queen of the Mosaic, Sharra Frank Shares Her Secrets, Sept 2008
Metro Magazine. Northrup King Building, Artist Feature, May 2008
Mosaic Art Now. International Mosaic Magazine, Jan 2008
Minneapolis Star Tribune. Bits and Pieces, June 2007
Metro Magazine. Better than Santa's Workshop, Nov 2007
Alive Magazine. Sharra Frank, The Business of Art, Dec 2007
DesignSpongeonline.com. Twin City Guide, Nov 2007
Full list available upon request.
PUBLIC ART AND ARTIST RESIDENCIES
COMPAS, ARTSWORK Mosaic for St. Anne's Retirement Community,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sept-Jan 2008
COMPAS, ARTSWORK Mosaic for Goodwill Easter Seals,
St. Paul, Minnesota, June 2008
L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion Elementary School,
St. Paul, Minnesota, December 2007
COMPAS, ARTSWORK Mosaic Sculpture for SteppingStone Theatre,
St. Paul, Minnesota, June 2007
COMPAS, ARTSWORK Mosaic Mural for Neighborhood House, Wellstone Center,
St. Paul, Minnesota, June 2006
MOSAIC INSTRUCTION
Sharra Frank Mosaic Studio & Gallery, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2006-present
Paramount Theatre & Visual Arts Center, St. Cloud, Minnesota, 2009
Compas, ArtsWork. St. Paul, Minnesota, 2006-present
Compas WAITS, Writers and Artists in the Schools, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2009-present
Clay Squared to Infinity, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2004-2007
L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion Elementary School 2007
Wet Paint, Mosaic Demonstration. St. Paul, Minnesota, 2007
South West Minneapolis Community Ed. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2004-06
Mosaic On A Stick, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2004
Paper Source, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2004
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Society of American Mosaic Artists
Minnesota Mosaic Guild
Handmade Tile Association
Northeast Minneapolis Artist Association
American Craft Council
Photo Credits
© 2008 Howard M. Christopherson
www.iceboxminnesota.com
