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Frank Builds Community Through Art Exhibits

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIn her day job, Priya Frank, ’04, ’11, supports access and opportunity for underrepresented, low-income and first-generation students through her fundraising work with the OMA&D Advancement team. In her “off” hours, she is busy fostering her other passion – building community through the arts.

Frank is artistic director at LUCID in Seattle’s University District, where she curates a series of quarterly art exhibits called “First Friday: Art, Cocktails and Culinary Delights.” Her first event on Feb. 1, featured photojournalist and UW alumnus David Ryder, ’06, ’11 (pictured with Frank), and centered on the theme of “love and its power to redefine, heal, restore and celebrate.” A portion of the proceeds went to the UW Community Peace Garden, as well as Café Racer Love.

eNews-Spring-2013Frank’s next event on May 3 will feature the photography of OMA&D associate vice president Emile Pitre, whose work has been featured in the OMA&D eNews Campus Walker series.

“The goal of ‘First Friday’ is to provide a home for artists to express themselves in their own words and support the larger social and political messages their work represents,” Frank said. “It in turn allows us to give patrons an exclusive peek into the artistic experience and creates a space for dialogue and participation to take place.

“This can bring an understanding and acceptance that may not have existed before and reiterates the beauty, power and healing nature of the arts – they build bridges. That is why I do this work, and that is why LUCID is a place so many people call ‘home.’ “

Frank also leads the Seattle Women of Color in the Arts gathering group, and was recently a panelist at the Arts & Social Change Symposium at the Seattle Center. She is a member of On The Boards’ Diversity Committee and will be curating its 12 Minutes Max Performance, April 28-29. Frank is the president of the UW Department of Communication Alumni Board, as well.

“First Friday” events are open to the public, ages 21 and over, and are held from 5-8 p.m.