Artist Highlight: Meet Frances Perea

Frances and I (Pat Richards) have worked together for several years, keeping the Gallery Facebook Page up to date and current with the many receptions, events, and new shows that we have each month. Frances writes many great articles for our Facebook page and produces most of the pictures for our events. She has been such a great asset to the Gallery, me, and the art world. I appreciate her talent, skills, and desire to promote art in our community more than I can say.
When you visit the Gallery, you will see her hand in many of the things that are helping make our Gallery successful today.

​You can see much more of her colorful work at ​https://www.artwanted.com/dimestorediva/gallery/

My artistic journey has been a winding path that has taken me from my childhood home in Santa Fe, New Mexico to various locations across the country.

My wonderful and creative mother introduced me to sewing at a young age, teaching me how to use an antique treadle Singer sewing machine to make my own doll clothes. Money was stretched thin in our family, but my mother was quite crafty and made me a two story doll house from a card board box, filled with furniture and people. I loved it and it still brings precious memories when I think of it. As I grew older I discovered I enjoyed drawing, painting and creating things from discarded objects.
  
In my early 20’s I hopped on a bus and moved to San Jose, CA where I knew no one, but had decided I would become involved with the Rosicrucians, a metaphysical organization who were based there. I continued to paint and craft and a few years after became involved with the art community there. Getting accepted by my first gallery  gave me a boost and a sense of confidence in my creative abilities that I hadn’t had before. I enrolled at San Jose City College and explored many art mediums.

I discovered a love for abstract art and silk screen printing or serigraphy. In 1985 I returned to my hometown of Santa Fe after 15 years and embarked on another creative path, painting Southwest style images on furniture and pottery lamps for Foreign Traders. Some of those pieces were sold to celebrities. That was a rewarding experience and opened the door for me to create my own line of Santo (religious icons) ornaments, prints and cards that I sold to shops in New Mexico and other areas of the country, including the Smithsonian Institute. 
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In 2000 my husband Jim and I moved to Winchester, TN and I soon discovered the Franklin County Arts Guild and have been involved with them for two decades now. It has been wonderful to find a community of fellow artists who share my passion and have provided support through various activities and events all these years. I have worn many hats with this organization, including a stint as gallery coordinator but my favorite one is helping to promote our Guild and Artisan Depot Gallery’s talented local artists. The most important lesson I have learned in my creative path is how essential it is to network, find and support your art community.

We are a co-operative gallery featuring fine art & craft from regional artists. The Artisan Depot Gallery, a Franklin County Arts Guild project, is a place to discover and display art and a hub for education, enlightening our visitors and inspiring them about the World of Arts.
The Franklin County Arts Guild promotes artists and craftspeople through The Artisan Depot Gallery, scholarships, education, and community programs. Becoming a member gives you the invaluable opportunity to showcase your work in our Gallery. ​​

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