Tara Lynne Franco is an award winning  Hamilton-based ceramic designer and maker and graduate of the Crafts and Design program at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Tara has been working clay for ten years, beginning on a part-time basis as a hobby and gradually taking on ceramics as a full-time career. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo. Tara previously worked as a professional planner and policy advisor in the public sector where she played a leadership role in environmental and sustainable development issues in her home community of Hamilton, Ontario. Passion for the environment, and a commitment to make a difference in her community, both inspires and informs her work and is at the root of her goal to evoke positive and creative responses to the stark realities of the impacts of our actions on our local and global environments.

Tara Lynne Franco’s work can be seen at prominent galleries throughout Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Florida. She received the honour of Best in Show in Powerplay 2007. Tara’s work has been part of the Awards and Scholarships Exhibition at the Ontario Crafts Council in 2008, the 2007 and 2008 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Heart Vessel at Muse Gallery, Distill Cup 2007 and the 2008 Another Blooming Show at Distill Gallery and FUSION: Members’ New Work at the Gardiner Museum. Tara exhibited in her first US show, Down to Earth, at Sunart Gallery in Florida from February to April 2008.

Tara was the recipient of the William and Mary Corcoran Award as well as several other awards and recognitions for her work. Tara has a permanent installation in the Crafts and Design wing of Sheridan College and her work is part of the Permanent Collection of the Burlington Art Centre.

Since graduating in 2006 Tara Lynne Franco has been designing and producing work in her studio in Hamilton.