Francie Allen grew up in a rural New Hampshire village populated by young well-educated urban families relocating after World War II to begin a new life. Their pioneering spirit and vibrant sense of community shaped her childhood. She was an activist in the civil rights movement of the 1960's and 70's, marching with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. A yearning for social justice, a passion for dance and an interest in psychology and Buddhist meditation have strongly influenced her art. Her love of fashioning artful objects came down from her great grandmother: Swedish craftswoman and designer of elegant ball gowns for wealthy American women before the era of ready wear clothing.

Allen holds a BA in art from Smith College and a BFA in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design. After relocating to Seattle, she earned an MFA in sculpture at the University of Washington School of Art.

She is an inspired teacher for all ages, from developing drawing and design programs for elementary school children to teaching university students and public school teachers acquiring continuing education credits. She advanced Howard Gardener's theories of Multiple Intelligences in the Vashon Island School District in Washington, coaching teachers to develop art curricula for visual thinking skills.

Always enjoying collaboration, Francie has designed sets and concert installations for theatre companies and dance troupes. She has also worked with community organizations and local county governments on art projects to foster environmental awareness.

Allen has a thirty-year exhibition record, nationally and internationally, as well as numerous regional solo shows of her sculpture. Her concrete and cast paper pieces have won national awards. Her large concrete "guardian figures" are permanently installed outdoors in city and private art collections in Puget Sound.

During the 1990's Francie operated a production studio where she designed, created and marketed cast concrete garden sculptures. Her water bowls and fountains can be found in gardens all over the Pacific Northwest.

Francie moved to the Bay Area in 2003, beginning a new body of work in paper, wire and mixed media. She explores visual ideas and the creative process in her studio at the Cubberley Cultural Center, as part of the Palo Alto city sponsored artist residency program.