Sculpture, Installation, Public Art, Fiber, Mixed Media
Prepared to undertake Commissions
Education
1957 B.F.A. Degree, Scripps College, Claremont, California
1959 M.S. Degree, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
Proprietor
1963 - Present Colson School of Art, Inc. Sarasota, Florida
1977 - 1985 Colson Sculpture Service International Sarasota, Florida
Positions
1990 - 1993 Appointment: Public Art Advisory Board City of Sarasota, Florida
1991 Sole Juror: Ringling Museum of Art 20th Craft Festival Sarasota, Florida
1987 Judge: Lake Mary - Heathrow Festival of the Arts Orlando, Florida
1964 - 1965 President: Florida Craftsmen
Art Faculty
1959 - 1962 Florida State University, Gainesville, Florida
1963 University of Tampa, Tampa, Florida
1963 - 1973 Penland School of Crafts
Consultant
1991 Austin Productions Inc. Holbrook, New York
Demonstrations
World Crafts Council, Peru, 1968, Ireland, 1970
Guest Artist, New Zealand Society of Potters, 1980, New Zealand
Additional demonstrations and workshops in Australia, Germany, England, Guatemala, Mexico; including six years for the International Sculpture Conferences, 1972-1978
Published
Kiln Building with Space Age Materials, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY, 1975
Awards
1999 Silverhawk Internet Worldwide Award, 4th Annual Fine Crafts Exhibition, Mixed Media Award
1991 First Honory Inductee of most noted Sarasota artist "Living History" a video Arts Anthology - produced by Community Video Archives
Major Commissions and Public Art
1996 12' high Winged Face Fountain modular relief for entryway to condominium, Clearwater, Florida
1995 Oceana, Island Tower Fountain Sculpture 15' high bronze figure, Collins Avenue, North Miami Beach, Florida
1994 Hillhaven Lobby Entrance 16' high clay relief of abstracted rising sun, Ft. Meyers, Florida
1993 St. John the Evangelist Church, Naples, Florida, 14 Stations of the Cross (bronze), 8 Holy Water Fonts (bronze and gold), Processional Cross and Pascal Candle Holder
1991 City of Orlando, Florida, Public Art Permanent Collection for new City Hall
1989 Art in Public Places commission for Central Brevard Library, Cocoa, florida - Ceramic relief 12' in diameter, mounted on exterior of building 40' high
1985 Tree of Life, 9' X 16' bronze relief, Memorial Hospital, Orlando, Florida
1986 Tree of Life, 9' X19' bronze relief, Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte, Florida, 1986
1973-1974 Canas Project, National Memorial for the Country of Costa Rica (three 15' figures and 6' portrait head)
1986 Olmac head, 6' high, San Miguel d'Allende, Mexico
1982 Modular face form relief, 120 ceramic faces in smoke fired clay, lobby entrance, Wetzel Corp., Dallas, Texas
1974 Yalalag Project. Construction of an indigenous pottery in Oaxaca, Mexico
1976 Entryway dual five foot high fountains, Australia House, Palm Beach, Florida
1975 Two Copper Sunburst kinetic fountains, Richman Homes, 8' high and 5' high, Sarasota, Florida
Numerous additional commissions for private and professional spaces over a period of twenty-five years.
Exhibitions
2001 Retrospective, Venice Art Center, Venice, Florida
1999 III Salo Internacional d'Artistes - EuroArt '99, Barcelona
1980 Warner Communications Gallery, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Numerous additional exhibitions, inclusive and solo from California to Tokyo, from Ohio, New Mexico, South Dakota and all over Florida.
Artist's Statement
Frank Colson's distinctive style arises from his extensive background as a professional artist for over thirty years. His affinity for working with the elements of the earth - clay, fire, bronze - provide insight into the artist's range and control. The result is work that both provokes and delights the viewer.
