Jane Frank

                                                                                                                        WORLDS OF WONDER

                                                                                                                        tel (703) 847-4251

                                                                                                                        fax (703) 790-9519

 

 

 

                                                        Bio: Jane Frank

 

Jane Frank, along with her husband Howard, is a committed fan -- a private art collector of science fiction and fantasy art and literature, who also runs Worlds of Wonder, an art agency established in 1991 to gain wider exposure for the artists, and the kind of art, that's used to market science fiction and fantasy literature and entertainment.  Worlds of Wonder represents more than 35 professional artists in the sales of their original artworks, and at times also acts as their agent for the licensing of their images.  As a long time fan of the genre, she has participated in a wide range of activities, from curating public exhibitions of sf art, to being  a 'behind the scenes' volunteer for the 'Star Wars' exhibition at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.   She has served as consultant for SF/F art price guides, has given various talks on science fiction and fantasy art for such venues as the Library of Congress and Maryland Public Libraries, and has participated in countless science fiction convention programs and panels.  She also regularly contributes feature articles to genre and collectibles magazines on topics of interest to sf art fans, and was co-author with her husband of the book showcasing the Frank Collection, which was published by Paper Tiger Press (UK) in 1999.  Volume 2, "Great Fantasy Art Themes from the Frank Collection" is forthcoming, 2003.   Her artbook on the artist Richard Powers (Paper Tiger Press  2001) was nominated for a Hugo Award, 2002  (named for Hugo Gernsback, these are the most prestigious awards in SF fandom).  Her artbook on John Berkey is forthcoming Fall 2003, and an edited compilation of previously uncollected literary works and personal documents from the influential British fantasy author William Hope Hodgson is due out Spring 2004 (PS Publishing, UK).   She is a life-time member of the Association of Science Fiction Artists (ASFA),  a member of the Society of Illustrators (NY),  and an affiliate member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. 

 

----

if you need more or personal background you can add:

 

As a hobby, Jane teaches "Direct Marketing" and "Strategies in Business Communication" in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland (College Park), and has consulted on sales and marketing issues for small businesses, including public art galleries.  She has published several papers in refereed academic journals, and has contributed to books on linguistic, communications and business topics.   She holds a PhD in Sociolinguistics from Georgetown Univ, plus an MBA (Marketing) and MS Education (Long Island Univ) preceded by a BA in Anthro/Socio many many moons ago.   She has been married for 38 years to Howard, has three children and three grandchildren and someday hopes to take up a hobby, like painting or writing screenplays.

   

 

 

Current:  Partner and Director  "WORLDS OF WONDER"

 

Worlds of Wonder is a business venture established in 1991 to gain wider exposure for the artists, and the art, that is commonly associated with the literary genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror.  We focus on the sales of original illustrative artworks by contemporary professional artists who are notable for their contribution to the success of literary works and commercial products, as well as those sculptors and artisans whose works carry out imaginative themes.  We also upon occasion represent artists in the commercial usage and licensing of their creations.

 

We currently represent over 35 artists in the sales of their original artworks, among them: Jill Bauman, John Berkey, Richard Bober, Jim Burns, Steve Crisp, Joe DeVito, , Donato (Giancola), Jeff Easley, Les Edwards, Bob Eggleton, Tristan Elwell, Fred Gambino, Mark Harrison, Carol Heyer, Steve Hickman, Mike Hinge, Daniel Horne, Jael, Tom Kidd, Paul Lehr (estate), Albert Lorenz, Don Maitz, David Mattingly, Edward Miller, Ian Miller, Chris Moore. JK Potter, Richard Powers (estate), Romas (Kukalis), Gary Ruddell, Larry Schwinger, Lisa Snellings, Darrell K. Sweet, Walter Velez, Morgan Weistling, Michael Whelan, Tim White, Steve Youll, John Zeleznik

 

Selected Clients/Placements:

 

Piper Verlag Publishers (Germany)

Bookspan (Doubleday Direct)

The Franklin Mint

Worlds of Fantasy and Horror Magazine

Outre' Magazine

Landmark Calendars, Novato, CA

MBI, Inc (Danbury Mint}

Science Fiction Age Magazine

Realms of Fantasy Magazine

Lazaria Music Co. (Glass Hammer Recordings)

Collector's Showcase Magazine

Greenfield Belser Ltd (Ad Agency)

Quarto Publishing (UK)

Weird Tales Magazine

Second Nature Software (Seattle, WA)

Terra Incognita Magazine

Carpe Noctem Magazine

Star Quest Entertainment

 

 

Ongoing: Creative Works

 

W.H. Hodgson

PS Publishers, UK   spring 2004

 

The Art of John Berkey

Paper Tiger Press (Chrysalis, UK)  fall 2003

 

Great Fantasy Art Themes from the Frank Collection

Paper Tiger Press (Collins & Brown, UK) spring 2003

 

The Art of Richard Powers

Paper Tiger Press (Collins & Brown, UK)  2001

 

The Frank Collection: A Showcase of the World's Finest Fantasy Art

               co-author, Howard Frank.  Paper Tiger Press (Collins & Brown, UK) 1999

 

The Original Comic Art Price Guide, 2nd  Edition

Consultant (Arcturian Books, MA  2000)

 

 Original Comic Art Price Guide, 1st Edition

Consultant (Avon Publishing 1992)

 

Collector's Showcase Magazine  "An Original Challenge"

               Feature article on collecting illustration art, Jan/Feb Issue 2000

 

Savage Hearts: Clyde Caldwell Sketchbook Vol.1, 'Introduction'  SQP Pub, 1997.

 

Collectors' Advantage Magazine

               "Fantasy Cards" feature article, Sept. 1996

               "Movie Posters" feature article, Summer 1998

               "Tilt! Pinball Art" feature article, Spring 1999

 

Strange New Worlds Magazine

               "The Artful Collector", bi-monthly column 1992-1994

 

Quantum Collector Magazine

               "The Artful Collector" 

               Feature, Volume 1:1, December 1995 

 

Science Fiction Age Magazine

¥ "Digital Daredevil", art gallery feature article/artist profile

               on Fred Gambino, May 1999

¥ "Bio of a Space Artist" art gallery feature article/artist profile

               on Jim Burns, July 1993 

 

Realms of Fantasy Magazine

¥ "Just the Right Mix of Media: Art of Daniel Horne"  October 1999

¥ "Modern Classicism: The Gilded World of Richard Bober" art gallery feature

               article/artist profile January/February 1998 

¥ "Northern Knights and Gothic Days" art gallery feature article on Ian Miller

               artist profile October 1997

¥ "Les Edwards' Evil Twin" art gallery feature article/artist profile, June 1995

¥ "Playing with a Full Deck" art gallery feature article, February 1996

 

 

Selected Curatorial and Professional Experience:

 

 

2004    (planned)                       Co-Curator, University of Maryland Art Gallery

                                                            "Fantastic Visions: Selections from the Frank Collection 

                                                            University of Maryland Art Gallery, College Park MD

                                                            Fall, 2004-2005 (Planned) - traveling exhibition

 

2003                                                 Guest Speaker, The Maryland Library Assn Conference, May

 

2000                                                 Co-Curator, University of Maryland Art Gallery

                                                            "Possible Futures: The Frank Collection of Science Fiction Art

                                                            University of Maryland, College Park MD

                                                            Jan 2000-March, 2001   - traveling exhibition

 

                                                            The Art Gallery, University of Maryland

                                                            Presenter, Sixth Annual Roundtable, March 3, 2000

                                                            ̉Science Fiction Art: Lessons for the Millennium

 

1998                                                 "Worlds of Wonder: Selected Works of Six Artists"

                                                            co-curator: The American Center for Physics, Oct '98 - April '99

                                                           

1996                                                 "What IF . . . ? Science Fiction Information Forum"

                                                            Library of Congress Professional Association

                                                            Guest Speaker, March 13, 1996

                                                           

1994 - 1997                                  Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

                                                            'Behind the Scenes Volunteer'

                                                            Star Wars exhibition, 1997-8.

 

1992                                                 Guest Curator, Rockville Arts Place,

                                                            'Wonder of Enchantment' exhibit May/June 1992

 

1992                                                 Guest Curator, Maryland Arts Place,

                                                            'Wonder and Enchantment' exhibit June/July 1992

 

1993                                                 Consultant, Rosana Azar One-person show

                                                            Inter-American Development Bank, Washington DC

 

1993                                                 Co-Sponsor, Group Exhibition

                                                            'Seven Women from Seven Countries'

                                                            Museum of Latin American Art, Miami, FL

 

1991 - 1996                                  Tour Sponsor and Host, Private Collection

                                                            Smithsonian Institution Resident Associate Program 

 

1988 - Current                            Convention Panel Discussant and Exhibitor

                                                            World Science Fiction Convention, World Fantasy                                                                                 Convention, Dragoncon (GA), Philcon (PA), others

                                                            Topics include: Collecting SF Art; Preservation and                                                                            Conservation of Collections; Artist representation

 

 

Private Collection and/or Public Exhibitions and Loans:

University of Maryland Art Gallery "Fantasy Art" planned Nov 2004   

Fullerton Museum, CA  2003 planned

The Franklin Mint exhibition 2001

Space 2001 show, The Bruce Museum, Greenwich CT

Fantasy/SF retrospective exhibit, Chicago World SF convention, 2000

University of Maryland Art Gallery "Possible Futures" Jan 2000-March 2001  

   traveling to: Society of Illustrators (NY); Bowling Green Univ (KY); Widener Gallery (PA)

The American Center for Physics, November 1999-April 1999

DeCordova Museum, Massachusetts (1997)

Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, DE  (1990)

Maryland Arts Place - Regional Art Center, Baltimore, MD (1992)

Rockville Arts Place - Regional Art Center, Rockville, MD  (1992)

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington DC (Star Trek Exhibit 1994)

The Society of Illustrators (NY), on-site and traveling exhibitions (1990-current)

Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, Frederick MD (1994 group show)

The Park Avenue Atrium - public group exhibition (NY, 1988-91)

Hayden Planetarium, NY public exhibition (1990)

 

Professional Honors, Memberships, Contributions: 

 

Hugo Award Nominee, Art-related Book category "The Art of Richard Powers"  2002

Member, Board of Directors, University of Maryland Friends of the Libraries (1999 -)

Association of Science Fiction Artists (ASFA), Lifetime member

Chesley Award Nominee, 1998 for Outstanding Service to ASFA

Member, Washington Sculpture Association

Associate Member, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)

Associate Member, Society of Illustrators (NY)

Associate Member, American Association of Museums

Advisory Board member, Direct Marketing Association of Washington