Her Story
About Krista
Krista Franklin is a poet, literary writer, and visual artist based in Chicago, Illinois, whose interdisciplinary practice brings together poetry, collage, book arts, and visual storytelling. She has been creating art and writing since childhood and has actively published her work since the 1990s. Her work explores complex themes of race and identity, cultural and historical narratives, memory, and generational trauma, often combining written language and visual imagery to create layered reflections on personal and collective experience.
Franklin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Pan-African Studies from Kent State University and later received a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts with a focus on Book & Paper from Columbia College Chicago. Her artistic and literary work includes Under the Knife, published by Cander Arts in 2018, and Too Much Midnight, published by Haymarket Books in 2020. Her multidisciplinary background reflects her ability to move fluidly between literary and visual forms while engaging contemporary art, creative writing, and cultural research.
Alongside her independent artistic practice, Franklin has built a career in higher education and creative mentorship. She has served as a Senior Lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago since 2017, while also maintaining an independent lecturing practice. Community, mentorship, and creative collaboration are central to her approach, and she is committed to supporting emerging artists and writers as they develop their voices and creative practices. Through her teaching, writing, and visual art, Franklin continues to contribute to Chicago's contemporary arts and literary communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Krista
01What do you attribute your success to?
Community has been key to surviving and thriving as an artist and writer. Mentors like Frank Dobson steered me in profound directions, such as applying to the Cave Canem writing retreat, which made a huge impact. I was fairly self-taught but shaped by collectives and peers making work alongside me. When facing writer's block, pivoting to visual art became a great pivot encouraged by other poets.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Form that beloved community because it is going to be the very thing that is going to help you to survive and thrive. We do not just want to survive, we want to thrive, and this is the way towards thrival.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the writing industry is to read widely, support fellow writers and artists, and stay actively engaged with your community. Live fully, build meaningful relationships, and develop a strong sense of who you are. At the same time, create a sustainable way to support yourself financially while pursuing your creative path.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see the biggest challenge in art and writing as navigating financial uncertainty in fields whose cultural value is not always matched by economic support. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities to work across disciplines, build strong communities, and tell overlooked stories that challenge how we understand identity, history, race, gender, and class. I believe we can create fearlessly, support one another, and help future artists not just survive, but thrive.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are community, authenticity, self-knowledge, mentorship, creativity, wellness, generosity, and intentionality. I believe in supporting other artists, sharing knowledge, building meaningful relationships, and creating spaces where people can thrive. Above all, I value living fully, caring for myself, knowing who I am, and allowing my experiences to inspire meaningful creative work.
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