Rose Frank (artist) facts for kids

Rose Frank was a talented Native American artist. She was born on April 6, 1912, in Sweetwater, Idaho. Rose was a member of the Nez Perce tribe. She became very well known for her special way of weaving with cornhusks.

Rose used her art to help keep her tribe's traditions alive. She wanted to make sure their crafts and customs were remembered. She did this by creating beautiful artwork and teaching others how to weave. We don't know the exact date Rose Frank passed away.

Rose Frank's Life and Art Journey

Rose Frank was born into the Nez Perce tribe in 1912. When she was six years old, she became an orphan. She then went to live at the St. Joseph Mission at Slickpoo. During World War II, Rose worked in shipyards in Portland, Oregon. After the war, she went back to the reservation in Lapwai.

Rose got married and was a housewife for most of her life. Then, she took a class with a teacher named Ida Blackeagle. This class changed everything for Rose. Ida Blackeagle helped Rose become a professional artist.

Learning to Weave

Ida Blackeagle taught a textile arts class. This class was at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Rose decided to join the class. Some people say the class was held at Lapwai High School instead. Ida Blackeagle saw how good Rose's weaving was. She told Rose that she should sell her cornhusk bags.

Rose was not sure about her work at first. She was surprised when her bags sold. One bag even sold for $25! Rose believed her past experience with crocheting helped her. She thought it made her good at cornhusk weaving.

Creating Unique Art

Rose kept weaving for more than 40 years. During this time, she made hundreds of projects. She said she spent six hours a day on her art. A single stitch on a cornhusk bag could take one hour. Rose was proud to say she never repeated her designs. She also shared that it took about four weeks to make one bag. This was if she worked six to seven hours every day.

Rose mostly used traditional Nez Percé patterns. These were often geometric shapes like diamonds. But she also made floral patterns if a customer asked for them.

Teaching the Next Generation

Later, Rose taught others how to weave with cornhusks. She wanted to make sure these old techniques were passed down. She praised every piece of work her students made. Rose believed this would encourage them to keep trying. It would also help them improve their weaving skills.

There is no public record of when Rose Frank died. A magazine article from 2005 mentioned her as "the late Rose Frank."

Rose Frank's Art Style

Rose Frank used a special weaving method called "twined cornhusk." She used this to create bags and other woven items. Sometimes, she added other materials. These included acrylic yarn or dyed twine for more color.

Rose used traditional Nez Perce geometric designs. She made these by weaving yarn and cornhusk. This was done around the weft threads as they crossed the warp. Her bags were strong enough to hold things. They were not just for display. People valued her work for its careful craftsmanship. They also admired how she kept traditional art principles alive.

The colors Rose used in her art were varied. They could include pale yellow, black, blue, and pink. She also used purple, red, and green.

Where to See Her Art

Rose Frank's artwork has been shown in many places. It is also part of permanent collections. You can find her art at the Nez Percé National Historical Park Museum. It is also in the Smithsonian's Modern American Indian collection. Her work can also be seen in the collections of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Awards and Special Honors

Rose Frank received important awards for her art.

• 1991: Rose received a National Heritage Fellowship. This award was given by the National Endowment for the Arts. Rose traveled to Washington D.C. to accept her $5,000 award. Fifteen other artists also won this award that year. This award celebrates a person's lifetime achievements in folk or traditional arts.

• 1986: Rose received the Governor's Folk Award. This award was given by John V. Evans. He was the governor of Idaho at that time.

See also

• Native American women in the arts