Artist Bio

Fran Abrams has an undergraduate degree in art and architecture and a graduate degree in urban planning. From 1969 - 2010, she worked in local government and nonprofit agencies in a variety of disciplines including environmental protection, child care, musical theater and the arts and humanities.

In January 2000, while still maintaining her day job, she made a New Year's resolution to return to her roots as an artist and began studying and working with polymer clay. She studied for two and a half years with noted polymer clay artist Carol Zilliacus. Fran continues to take polymer clay classes and workshops around the region and as part of the conferences she attends sponsored by the International Polymer Clay Association of which she is a member.

In July 2010, she retired from her day job to focus on making art and on encouraging the work of other aspiring artists. As a consultant, she helped to found the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and Music Room in the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans' Plaza in downtown Silver Spring, MD and served as its first manager from 2010-2012. The gallery is devoted to showing the work of Montgomery County, MD, artists.

In 2008, she joined Foundry Gallery, Ltd. in Washington, DC, where she currently serves as President. She also speaks to local artist groups about how to get artwork into exhibitions.

In May 2014, her piece titled "Warmth of the Fire" was awarded Best of 2-D Art in the International Polymer Clay Awards competition.

Her work has been exhibited in galleries around the metropolitan DC area and along the east coast.