Laura Thompson Frank Rekrut

Frank Rekrut  and Laura Thompson began their careers in the beautiful Niagara region of Ontario, Canada.  In 2010 they moved to Florence, Italy where they now have a studio in the historic centre of Florence where Frank’s great grandfather and great uncle were both sculptors. 

 Life in Florence, Italy provides constant inspiration through the people, the architecture, the art and the history and also allows for interaction with other artists and artisans who value the traditional approaches to their craft. 

Frank and Laura are both alumni of The Florence Academy of Art and it is the academic training from life in the traditional methods and techniques combined with their 34 years of experience which has provided a solid foundation for the development of their works and for their teaching. 

Most interested in exploring the human figure, Frank combines his own aesthetic with his strong academic training, the result of which is an interesting balance in a diverse variety of subjects and themes with a strong emphasis on figurative work. 

​Laura enjoys painting all subjects in a diversity of styles with her main focus of interest being figurative original works and portraiture. 

Frank and Laura have both exhibited at The Robert F Kennedy Centre for Human Rights for their interest in seed sovereignty. They have both been finalists at international competitions including MEAM (the European Museum of Modern Art) and ARC in New York.

Frank has had the honour of having his portrait bust of Harriet Tubman at the National Historic site for the Underground Railroad in Ontario, Canada and has also recently completed a life size bronze for the Niagara District School Board for the new Harriet Tubman Public School. Frank also has a sculpture in the permanent collection of the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain -MEAM. 

Both of their works may be found in both public and private collections throughout Canada, USA, Italy, Spain, Russia and many other countries internationally.