Frances Gunther

Frances Gunther was 14 years old when she discovered that she enjoyed drawing. On a summer day in a Catskills camp, she drew an old wooden outhouse. She discovered that she loved doing arts and crafts and taught it to children at YM-YWHA’s and camps. After attending Rhode Island School of Design, where she got a Master's in Art Education and Textile Design, she worked in the fashion industry as a colorist of textiles. She continued her studies at various NYC art schools. Fran won textile design contests, including a Tommy Award as “Best Student Designer”, a contest promoted by the textile industry.

Fran retired from teaching technology in 2015 and moved to New Jersey with her partner, and once again started taking art classes, painting, and exhibiting. Fran works in acrylics, watercolor, oil, pen and ink, and pastels. Many of her paintings reflect places where she has traveled. Most of her works are based on her own photos and experiences. Her paintings hang in various states. She has exhibited in group shows at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury, Middlesex Senior Art Competition (winning various awards), the Barron’s Art Center in Woodbridge, the Monmouth Museum (in an international juried art show), the Monroe Twp. Juried Art Show and other venues. In 2023, Fran had her first solo show at the Monroe Township library. Fran gives her paintings to family and friends and also sells them, so that others can enjoy her art.