Francene Christianson graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a B.A. in Art. Her career in advertising and graphic design included art direction for several creative agencies in New York and Los Angeles, including Ogilvy & Mather and Grey Advertising. After her commercial career, she returned to fine art. Her original portraits, landscapes and commissioned works have been shown or sold at The Grand Hand Gallery, The Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Hopkins Center for the Arts, The Minnesota State Fair and Art-A-Whirl. Her paintings have been placed in private collections across the country.
Exhibitions
2011
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Solo Show, Hopkins, MN
Art-A-Whirl, Open Studio Tour, Minneapolis, MN
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Juried Show, Minnetonka, MN, Honorable Mention
2010
Private Art 2, Solo Show, Minneapolis, MN
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Arts of the Holidays Show, Minnetonka, MN
Minneapolis Institute of Art, Foot In The Door 4 Show, Minneapolis, MN
The Grand Hand Gallery, Invitational Landscape Exhibit, St. Paul, MN
Art-A-Whirl, Open Studio Tour, Minneapolis, MN
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Members Juried Exhibition, Minnetonka, MN
2009
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Solo Show, Minnetonka, MN
Minneapolis Foundation Juried Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN
The Grand Hand Gallery, Three person Gallery Show, St. Paul, MN
CorAzon, Two person Show, Minneapolis, MN
Art-A-Whirl, Open Studio Tour, Minneapolis, MN
2008
Art-A-Whirl, WARM Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Women’s Building Exhibition, Two person show, St. Paul, MN
Wilcock Gallery, Juried Exhibition, Excelsior, MN
State Fair Fine Arts Show, St. Paul, MN
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Members Juried Exhibition, Hopkins, MN
2007
Amazon Bookstore Cooperative Exhibition, 2 person show, Minneapolis, MN
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Members Juried Exhibition, Minnetonka, MN
Hopkins Center for the Arts Members Juried Exhibition, Hopkins, MN
Wilcock Gallery, Juried Exhibition, Excelsior, MN
Press, Links, Media
Minnesota Women's Press June 2011 http://eedition.womenspress.com
Pat O’Brien, “Dream Believer, Francene Christianson paints her past into sharp focus” view pdf
Twin Cities Metro Magazine http://subscribe.metromag.com/0p174a4515/artist-francene-christianson/
Minnesota Public Radio http://minnesota.publicradio.org
The Grand Hand Gallery http://thegrandhand.com/artists-by-media/paintings/francene-christianson
Minnesota Artists http://www.mnartists.org/Francene_Christianson
Art Direction
Ogilvy & Mather Direct Senior Art Director
New York
Grey Advertising Art Director
Los Angeles
Young and Rubicam Art Director
Los Angeles
Awards and Education
Honorable Mention, Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Student Show, Minnetonka, MN, 2011
Honorable Mention, Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Members Juried Exhibition, 2010 New Camper
Best in Show, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Members Juried Exhibition, 2008 The Road Trip
John Caples International Award, 1993
Los Angeles Art Directors Club Award, 1985
Best in the West Award, 1984
New York Art Directors Club Award, 1984
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor of Arts
