Frances holds a BS in Fine Art from SUNY New Paltz with a concentration in ceramics and art education.  She directed a major NYC based art school for adults called the Craft Students League for nearly 6 years while running the Elsa Mott Ives Gallery at the former YWCA in midtown Manhattan.   Throughout her 25 year career in the arts, she has focused on creating and implementing arts programs, events and collaborations, working with organizations including the Museum of Arts and Design, Urban Glass, Federation Employment and Guidance Service (FEGS), The Creative Center for People with Cancer, Elder Craftsmen and Independence Care System (ICS).

The process of creating art inherently influences our development physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually at any age. It allows us to visually work through and express ideas, thoughts, needs, emotions and reflect on positive or negative stimulus around us. As an art educator, I believe it is my job in general to provide a venue for creative expression by presenting information about art history, materials and techniques to assist people through their own process and discovery. When working specifically with an older adult population, I seek not only to teach a technique or aid in development of a skill but to encourage experimentation, comradery, sharing of ideas and problem solving while hoping to stimulate, inspire and preserve cognitive and fine motor ability. Our older adult population brings unique perspective to the art table from a lifetime of experience, thus it is not only my favorite population to work with, it is my privilege.