THE ARTIST
Lorraine Franco is a Dominican Fine Artist. Her upbringing, influenced by European, Caribbean, and American cultures, cultivated her innate artistic talent. Proficient in painting, drawing, and crafting from a young age, she pursued her passion after high school at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy, where she immersed herself in the study of Fashion Design for nearly three years.
Her time in Milan was marked by a profound appreciation for classical art and art history, ultimately leading her to discover a preference for tactile work. Transitioning to Miami, Florida, she delved into Fashion Marketing at the Art Institute for a year before finding her true calling at the University of Miami in Fine Arts.
The moment she began working with clay, Lorraine realized that working in three dimensions was her genuine vocation. At the University of Miami, she earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (BFA) in Sculpture, Ceramics, and Painting, complemented by a Minor in Art History. During her tenure in Miami, she actively participated in various juried and group exhibitions across different states in the USA, garnering multiple accolades.
In 2017, Lorraine returned to the Dominican Republic to establish her art studio, specializing in ceramic sculptures. While setting up her studio, she pursued a postgraduate course in Contemporary Art at Escuela de Diseño Chavon. Presently, she dedicates her full-time efforts to her art studio, where she explores new sculptures, concepts and exhibitions, creates commissioned works, and develops contemporary design capsule collections.
In addition to her extensive body of work, Lorraine exhibited a captivating sculpture installation titled "Nacida de Mi Tierra" during Design Week RD 2023. Later in the year, her socially engaged piece "La Bolita" was chosen for the esteemed "Trigésima Bienal Nacional de Artes Visuales” at the Museo de Arte Moderno. These exhibitions further underscore Lorraine's growing impact and recognition in the contemporary art scene.
HER WORK REPRESENTS A MIX OF CULTURAL INFLUENCES FROM EVERYWHERE SHE HAS LIVED, BUT THERE IS A CLEAR LINE THAT
CROSSES OVER EVERY PIECE. WORKING WITH CLAY MAKES HER FEEL CONNECTED TO HER ESSENCE AND TO THE EARTH.
CV
Studies
ESCUELA DE DISEÑO CHAVÓN
Santo Domingo, DR
2008-2010
Still and live drawing courses
ISTITUTO MARANGONI
Milano, Italia
2009-2011
Fashion Design
ART INSTITUTE
Miami, Florida
2012-2013
Fashion Marketing
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Miami, Florida
2014-2016
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Sculpture, Ceramics & Painting with
a Minor in Art History
ESCUELA DE DISEÑO CHAVÓN
Santo Domingo, DR
2018
Postgraduate Certificate in
Contemporary Art
Exhibitions
ANNUAL STUDENT
JURIED EXHIBITION AT
CAS GALLERY
Miami, FL
April 2016
YOUNG ARTISTS INITIATIVE AT
LOU LA VIE BOUTIQUE
Miami, FL
May 2016
YOUNG ARTISTS
INITIATIVE AT SLS HOTEL
Miami Beach, FL
July 2016
BFA EXHIBITION AT
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
December 2016
NSJE at NCECA
Portland, Oregon
March 2017
DESIGN WEEK RD
ZONA COLONIAL
Santo Domingo, DR
March 2023
TRIGÉSIMA BIENAL NACIONAL DE ARTES VISUALES
Museo de Arte Moderno
Santo Domingo, DR
August-December 2023
Teaching Experience & Professional Work
GIBSON-BETHEL COMMUNITY CENTER
After School Art Classes
Miami, FL 2016
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Undergrad Figure Sculpting 1
Miami, FL 2016
LORRAINE FRANCO FINE ARTS & DESIGN
Founder & Artist
Est. 2017 - Present
AWARDS
Trigésima Bienal Nacional de Artes Visuales
Honorable Mention “La’ Bolita’”, 2023
NCECA
NSJE 1st Place Undergraduate Award for Excellence, 2017
ANNUAL STUDENT JURIED EXHIBITION AT CAS GALLERY | MIAMI, FL
Jean Ward Sculpture Award, 2016
