Frances Jenkins Pickens passed away on November 4, 2017 at the age of 90. An accomplished artist, teacher, and lifelong supporter of education and fundraising, Frances established the Frances M.J. & Alexander Pickens Scholarship Fund in Secondary Education with her late husband, Dr. Alexander L. Pickens, University of Hawai'i at Manoa College of Education (COE) Professor Emeritus. Born in Dodd City, Texas, Frances earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of North Texas and a Master of Education degree from the COE. She taught art in public schools throughout the U.S. mainland, including Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and New York before coming to Hawaii where she taught art at Punahou School, then Kamehameha Schools (1965-1985). Featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), Frances is cited as an important American metalwork artist, known particularly for her jewelry. She was named Distinguished Artist of Hawai`i by the Honolulu Academy of Arts in 1991. Her works have been displayed in shows at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York; Schmuckmuseum, Germany; Renwick Gallery, Washington; Hawaii Craftsmen; and East-West Center Gallery among many others. A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Frances and Alex Pickens on January 19, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please contact Jennifer Herring at herring@hawaii.edu if you plan to attend and for directions. Donations in memory of Frances M.J. Pickens may be made to the Frances M.J. & Alexander Pickens Endowed Scholarship in Secondary Education fund at www.uhfoundation.org/PickensScholarshipMemorial
Frances Jenkins Pickens passed away on November 4, 2017 at the age of 90. An accomplished artist, teacher, and lifelong supporter of education and fundraising, Frances established the Frances M.J. & Alexander Pickens Scholarship Fund in Secondary Education with her late husband, Dr. Alexander L. Pickens, University of Hawai'i at Manoa College of Education (COE) Professor Emeritus. Born in Dodd City, Texas, Frances earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of North Texas and a Master of Education degree from the COE. She taught art in public schools throughout the U.S. mainland, including Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and New York before coming to Hawaii where she taught art at Punahou School, then Kamehameha Schools (1965-1985). Featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), Frances is cited as an important American metalwork artist, known particularly for her jewelry. She was named Distinguished Artist of Hawai`i by the Honolulu Academy of Arts in 1991. Her works have been displayed in shows at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York; Schmuckmuseum, Germany; Renwick Gallery, Washington; Hawaii Craftsmen; and East-West Center Gallery among many others. A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Frances and Alex Pickens on January 19, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please contact Jennifer Herring at herring@hawaii.edu if you plan to attend and for directions. Donations in memory of Frances M.J. Pickens may be made to the Frances M.J. & Alexander Pickens Endowed Scholarship in Secondary Education fund at www.uhfoundation.org/PickensScholarshipMemorial
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
