Carol Ruff Franza was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and spent her childhood in the South. Her fine arts education began at Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida and continued with the Atlanta School of Art and Callanwolde in Atlanta, Georgia. Living in eleven states and exploring many beautiful countries and islands allowed Ruff Franza to experience a variety of historically significant art work and contrasting cultures.

In 1999 when Carol moved to Scottsdale, Arizona she began a love affair with sculpting at the Scottsdale Artist's School. She is still moved by the romantic stories woven into the work of Italian Master Bruno Lucchesi. Studies continued at the Loveland Academy in Loveland, Colorado and theRichard Macdonald Master Workshop in California. She focused on anamalia, bas relief, figure, painting, creativity, forensic anatomy, and casting.

Upon relocation to Bainbridge Island, Washington Carol participated in the island art walks, Loveland Invitational in Colorado, and various Arizona shows.

In 2003, Carol Ruff Franza created a portrait bust of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, the first Republican to fill the office of Governor of Georgia since the reconstruction. Franza was commissioned to create a monument to mark the decade anniversary of Desert Mountain High School. This bronze sculpture stands proudly guarding in the courtyard between the Palomino Library and the school in Scottsdale Arizona.

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