mother earth at sanfordville
frederick
franck sculpture takes its place at school entrance
Sanfordville Elementary School was recently given a very special piece of artwork, created by local artist, Frederick Franck. The sculpture, titled “Mother Earth”, was donated by Andrew and Karuna McLaughlin of Warwick.
Frederick Franck passed away last year, but his memory lives on through his artwork, which is on display at his Warwick compound, Pacem in Terris, on Covered Bridge Road. Here, you can find countless sculptures that blend in with the nature that surrounds them.
Franck lived a full life of many endeavors. Born in the Netherlands in 1909, he graduated with a degree in dentistry and practiced for several years before moving to the United States in 1939. He eventually became a professor of dentistry, all the while creating artwork and writing books. Franck moved to Warwick in the late 1960’s so that he could concentrate on his creativity through painting, sculpture, and writing. In his lifetime he published over 30 books, displayed his artwork in various exhibitions, and turned his home into an ‘oasis of peace and sanity’ where people can go to view and appreciate his artwork.
The students of Sanfordville Elementary School have been studying Franck’s particular style of art. The art classes have been and will be studying the form of his sculpture, “Mother Earth” and will generate paintings and sculptures of their own, with a Frederick Franck inspired twist. The originality of his artwork has inspired and challenged the students to create artwork filled with creativity. We thank Andrew and Karuna McLaughlin for donating this generous gift!