Francis Kohler
Lead Teacher - Person-Centered Services
Staff Member since 1995
Born in Sacramento, CA, Francis moved to San Francisco in 1985 to study sculpture and film at the San Francisco Art Institute. After graduating in 1989 with a BFA he spent the next five years at miscellaneous jobs to cover the basics while curating various one-word group exhibitions.
After an unplanned (yet utterly awe-inspiring) visit to the Creativity Explored studio (circa 1993) Francis began volunteering there in 1994. This led to substituting and then working part-time at CE’s second studio (CE2) when it opened in 1995. He became a full-time teacher/facilitator in 1996, and the Studio Manager at CE2 in 2002. He now works more behind the scenes developing Person-Centered services and tools.
With former CE instructor, Todd Herman, Francis produced two documentaries profiling a number of artists at CE2. He continues to live in San Francisco and while sporadically making collages, taking photographs, and creating dioramas.
To check out his photography, go here: https://www.instagram.com/keynoeye/
“I’m sure I’ve learned more about making art from the artists at Creativity Explored than they’ve learned from me. I just hope what I’ve offered in return is as valuable.”
