When 40 Shirlee Frank fans gathered to honor her life, each guest selected
one of her hand-built ceramic whistles. The finale of the ceremony was
everyone blowing whistles simultaneously. We think this may be a first – honoring
the life of an artist by making music from her own creations. The sound was a
hauntingly beautiful send-off.
Though Shirlee Frank showed her work in many group shows and one-woman shows
at her Unitarian Church in Santa Monica, she never had a show of her own in a real
art gallery. For one Sunday, Barbara Archer Gallery in Atlanta was filled with Shirlee’s
watercolors, ceramics and prints. About 100 friends turned out and 36 pieces were
sold. Though she was weak, Shirlee was there. She was well aware of what a
powerful show it was and thrilled by the warm response.
Special thanks to Robert Morrissey for producing this short movie.
Shirlee’s Most Important Show Yet
The Shirlee FRANK Experience: 1928 – 2008
Sunrise Bank of Atlanta in Midtown
December 2009 through March 5, 2010.
The crowd for the art party at Sunrise Bank was once again amazed that the wide diversity of work was all by the same artist. Almost 200 people turned out on December 10 to celebrate the opening of The Shirlee FRANK Experience at Sunrise Bank.
Designers Brian Fulford and John Beres led the installation team with creativity and flair. Nancy Frank dreamed up the pumpkin orange accent wall. And Shirlee’s signature painting Cat Angel sold the day before the opening.
Click here for the exhibition Price List.
