Meet Dellis Frank

We recently connected with Dellis Frank and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dellis, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I’ve often found myself as the only one in the room who looks like me, and instead of letting that diminish my presence, I’ve leaned into it as strength. My ancestors had to create space for themselves where none existed, and I carry that legacy forward. I’ve learned to be intentional with my voice, to listen deeply, and to show up authentically even when my perspective feels unfamiliar to others. Success, for me, has come from turning that “only one” status into an opportunity to expand the conversation, to bring in histories, ideas, and aesthetics that might otherwise be overlooked.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a full-time fiber-focused sculptor and mixed-media artist. My practice is rooted in The Greening of Fine Art—repurposing materials headed for the landfill and transforming them into works that spark dialogue about social justice, cultural memory, and our environment. I use a process I call Vibration Cooking, an intuitive way of wrapping, layering, and assembling fiber and found objects until a piece begins to “speak.” What excites me most is how these materials, once discarded, take on new life and meaning—fibers becoming symbols, colors carrying ancestral memory, and sculptural forms becoming protective or celebratory.
Right now, I’m especially energized about my ongoing series Take Cover, which honors the quilters of Gee’s Bend and traditional makers who used whatever they had to create coverings of warmth and protection. I expand that legacy by using things like palm skins, dryer sheets, and cord wrappings and other non-traditional materials that resonate with both resilience and environmental awareness.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three things have shaped my journey most:
1. Resourcefulness – I learned early on to see possibility in the overlooked. This mindset—taking scraps and creating meaning—guides not only my art but my approach to challenges.
2. Storytelling through materials – Understanding symbolism and color as languages gave me a way to communicate deeply without words.
3. Persistence – As an artist, rejections and setbacks are inevitable, but staying grounded in purpose and continuing to create has carried me through.
For those starting out, my advice is: honor your own voice, even when it feels out of step; study the traditions that came before you but don’t be afraid to expand them; and practice showing up again and again—because consistency builds both skill and recognition.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I am always open to partnerships that align with dialogue, education, and community-building. I especially enjoy collaborating with writers, poets, and other visual artists whose work amplifies themes of social justice, environmental awareness, and cultural heritage. I also welcome opportunities with curators and institutions interested in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary projects. Folks can connect with me through my website or professional networks—I love when collaboration sparks something larger than what any of us could have created alone.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photography by Bryan Frank

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