A native New Orleanian, Francesca ‘Frahn’ Koerner received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Tulane University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of New Orleans: majoring in painting with a minor in photography. She has taught both Tulane University and the University of New Orleans.
Ms. Koerner is primarily a painter, but she also works with photography, mixed media, installation and video. Her artwork is idea based…often motivated by loss and transformation along with the ensuing universal quest to find oneself, one's inner wisdom or spirituality.
In 2016, Koerner’s paintings were shown in a solo “alumni spotlight” show - curated by Rebecca Lee Reynolds at the UNO - St. Claude Gallery in New Orleans.
Francesca “Frahn” Koerner (M.F.A.,1997) includes 22 abstract paintings that “use color and mark-making to portray deeper themes” in “the scales fell from her eyes.” The abstract forms, dominated by striking color, shape, and line, relate to spiritual and literary sources, which in turn inspire seeking truth and meaning through self- reflection. ~ Kathy Rodriguez; UNO - St. Claude Gallery press release (2016)
Also in 2016, Koerner’s photographs documenting "The Apostolic Project," an installation that she co-created, have been included in the group show “A Building With A View”: Experiments in Anarchitecture,” at the Contemporary Arts Center. The show was curated by Andrea Andersson.
In 2018 Koerner was an "Artistic Expressions of Resiliency" guest speaker for Tulane’s Women Making Waves symposium. In 2016 her paintings were chosen for a solo alumni spotlight show at the UNO St. Claude Gallery and her photographs were included in the group show “A Building With A View”: Experiments in Anarchitecture,” at the Contemporary Arts Center. Frahn Koerner Studios was chosen as one of the Satellite Projects for International Art Triennial Prospect.2 and again for Prospect.3+ New Orleans. A painting of hers was exhibited in the group show "Reparation" at the New Orleans Museum of Art for Prospect.3+. A photographic puzzle was chosen to be included in the University of New Orleans’ inaugural St. Claude Gallery show H x W x D – Thirty Years of MFA at UNO and is now in the permanent collection of the Historic New Orleans Collection. Koerner’s work is collected and exhibited in the USA and internationally.