FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS

Bringing Portland’s Best to You
 

Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The Francis. Each exhibit will either feature an artist or subject from Maine. This month we are featuring works by Lisa DiFranza.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Lisa DiFranza was raised in New York City, in a family of artists. She watched her dad sketch characters in their neighborhood, and her parents encouraged her to make her own artistic creations. Her love of both visual and performing arts led her toward a successful career as a theater director, educator and non-profit leader and consultant. Home during the pandemic lockdown, and with collaborative arts suspended, Lisa created 365 daily paintings in her kitchen “studio.” Those “dailies” recharted the course of her professional life, and gave way to a robust studio practice and exhibition schedule.

As a non-profit leader, Lisa served as the Executive and Artistic Director of The Children’s Theater of Maine, Education Director and Literary Manager at Portland Stage Company, Founding Director of The Arts Academy, an innovative public high school arts pilot program for the State of Maine. She was hired to provide leadership through transitions at both The Center for Cultural Exchange, and the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine. She is currently the Festival Coordinator of The Maine Jewish Film Festival.

 

 

What People Say

We love our guests and they love us back
Gem in Portland!

So glad we stayed at the Francis on a recent weekend getaway to Portland. The hotel is charming, the rooms are large, the service was great, and there are wonderful small touches throughout the property. The surrounding area is less touristy than near those hotels in Old Port, but we found that to be a net positive. There are a number of excellent bars and restaurants within walking distance (try Hot Suppa, Bao Bao, and The Bramhall). Would definitely stay here again.

Lovely Boutique Hotel

Accommodations were great - room was comfortable & clean. Staff was helpful & welcoming. The location was good for sightseeing - we were able to walk around Portland from there.

Perfect getaway

The Francis is a beautiful boutique hotel with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Staff went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable Rooms are very clean and unique , Bose speaker to use while taking a shower. The Francis is so conveniently located close to the downtown Portland shops and just across from a great bakery and coffee shop... this is a must stay ... we will definitely be back.

Favorite place in Portland

Great place to stay. Staff was wonderful. Clean and new accommodations. We were able to get an early check in and a late checkout via text message. I would recommend getting the Terrace if possible!!!

Super friendly staff!

Our stay was during the covid19 pandemic. The staff was super friendly and due to limited numbers of travelers, we felt like we had the place to ourselves. It feels like a hotel meets bed and breakfast. There is a lot of charm and character and it is cozy. Great beds and wonderful showers.

Past Artists

Carla Weeks

Carla Weeks

Carla Weeks is a British-born painter and muralist based in Midcoast Maine. Informed by her personal interactions with both the natural landscape and built environment, she utilizes abstraction to navigate through the physical and emotional experience of place....

Isabelle O’Donnell

Isabelle O’Donnell

Isabelle Maschal O’Donnell is a textile artist who lives and works in Midcoast, Maine. She received her BFA from Maine College of Art & Design, and has exhibited at venues including Able Baker Contemporary, BUOY Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Art at...

Leslie Anderson

Leslie Anderson

FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS Bringing Portland's Best to You   Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here, in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The...

Tyler Weeks

Tyler Weeks

FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS Bringing Portland's Best to You   Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here, in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The...

Kyle T. Randall

Kyle T. Randall

FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS Bringing Portland's Best to You   Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here, in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The...

Tara Rook

Tara Rook

FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS Bringing Portland's Best to You   Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here, in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The...

Marci Spier

Marci Spier

FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS Bringing Portland's Best to You   Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here, in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The...

Kneeling Art Photography

Kneeling Art Photography

FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS Bringing Portland's Best to You   Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here, in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The...

MJ Benson

MJ Benson

FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE FRANCIS Bringing Portland's Best to You   Portland has such a vibrant art community, and we’ve chosen to showcase some of the local talent here, in Maine, through a rotating gallery in common spaces at The...