Frank Saso was born in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art. He also studied at The John Huntington Polytechnic Institute and The Cooper School of Art in Ohio. Frank then moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he owned and operated a successful art studio for ten years. In 1980, he moved to Florida with his wife and three children and opened a art studio in the Tampa Bay area.

Frank was a founder of the National Graphic Artist Guild, also a member of the International Society of Marine Painters, The New York Society of Illustrators, The Tampa Bay Advertising Federation and numerous art groups. The New York Society of Illustrators selected his painting “Work Break” for their touring world wide exhibit ”The Art and Culture of the American Labor Movement.” The U.S. Army commissioned him to do a commemorative 1991 Gulf War painting. The first limited edition print was given to General Norman Schwarzkopf and the original painting is now hanging in the Pentagon in Washington D.C. He was also commissioned to paint the 150 year history of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

When he recently completed a series of paintings for the Bank of Tampa, Frank was given the Gold Addy Award by the Tampa Bay Advertising Federation and named “Artist of the Year” plus his work was named “Best of the Bay, Elements of Advertising.” Rockford Publishers of New England selected his painting “Pemaquid Point, Maine” for their new release “A Gallery of Marine Art.” His art is registered with the John Paul Getty Trust Data Bank of Art and Artists.

In the year 2000, his painting “Back Home” was awarded “Best of Show” a the Council of Fine Arts Annual Exhibition. That show consisted of six major art organizations in the Tampa Bay area. Following that award, The Friends of the Arts Foundation invited nine area art groups to compete in the Open Juried Exhibition and Frank Saso was awarded first place. In 2001, he won five consecutive first place awards with five different paintings in Florida Open Juried Shows.

In Sarasota, Florida at The Longboat Key Center for the Arts 2002 Face & Figure Exhibit, his art was named “Best of Show.” In 2003, his Caribbean painting “Island Treasures” was chosen “Best of Show” at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts Annual Member Exhibition. Then in 2007, his unique painting “Construction in Color” won “Best of Show” at the Art Center Manatee “Shining Stars” juried exhibition.

Frank Saso was commended by officials from the U.S. Congress, the State Government of Ohio, also Cleveland and Euclid, Ohio. Honoring his art on display in the Pentagon were Representatives Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Senator George Voinovich. Also for his successful career, he was inducted into the Distinguished Achievement Hall of Fame by State Representatives Edward Jerse and Larry Householder and the Mayors of Cleveland and his hometown of Euclid, at Euclid High School.

Presently Frank’s art is in demand nationwide with clients who request illustrations for their products and books plus very colorful paintings for galleries in the United States and around the Caribbean.