Navigation

Contemporary Craftsman

Thomas Franke’s contemporary tall floor clock of Spalted and Birdseye.

Bay Art Gallery is pleased to introduce its newest artist, furniture designer Thomas Franke. He was born and raised in Milwaukee and became interested in furniture as a design student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Franke began his career primarily as a furniture craftsman. He was drawn to furniture design because he thinks of it as a more immediate, intimate and less rigid form of architecture. As Franke progressed, he spent more time designing on the computer and less as a hands-on craftsman. His designs have sold worldwide and in the millions of units.

Franke also has been greatly influenced by working with his colleagues in Denmark. The clean, contemporary lines of Danish design are firmly embedded into his style. Recently, Franke has returned to his roots as a designer and craftsman. In his mind, there is nothing more rewarding than to take a concept from the initial spark to completion with your own hands. His current focus is mainly on clocks and contemporary chairs, as these items seem to allow just the right proportion of function and artistic freedom.

Bay Art Gallery is located at Sister Bay Trading Co., 2477 Hwy. 42 in Sister Bay. The gallery is open daily 10 am – 5 pm, and 11 am – 4 pm on Sunday. For more information call 920.854.2554.