Also published Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, in Terre Haute Tribune-Star

The RCAA Artist of the Month gallery in the Vigo County Public Library features works by member Don Turner of Terre Haute. Turner’s exhibit commemorates Black History Month.

River City Art Association and the Vigo County Public Library will feature artwork by Don Turner throughout February — Black History Month — in the library at Seventh and Poplar streets. The exhibit features several portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in various mediums.

Close-up: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on a “Legal Tender” dollar bill by River City Art Association artist Don Turner is featured during Black History Month in the Vigo County Public Library.

Turner was born and raised in Terre Haute. He has shown artistic skills from his days at McLean Junior High and Garfield High schools. During those years he was taught the basic fundamentals of art by Frida Terhorst and Jessie Martin. After high school he attended Butler University and the Herron School of Arts in Indianapolis, where he studied with renowned Indiana artist Harry Davis.

Hardships forced a move back to his hometown. He enrolled at Indiana State University, where he studied art with Charles Reddington, Whitney Engeran Jr., Monty Montgomery and Dick Hay. He earned several degrees in art education, a master of arts and master of science degrees. In spring 2008, Turner studied watercolor painting with internationally known painter Joseph Fettingis NWS at Turkey Run State Park. He began using watercolor paintings in his many showings.

Turner is well known in Vigo County after teaching art in public schools and college, and working in the community. After many years of teaching art, he retired in 2008, and started his own art business as an illustrator. His company, Turner Graphique Designs, has done work for several well-known companies in Terre Haute and the surrounding area, including Clabber Girl, Willams Randall Marketing and Communications, and the Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute.

In addition to the art business, Turner is active in the Vigo County Retired Teachers’ Association, Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute, and River City Art Association, where he has served as president and vice president.

The next RCAA membership meeting is at 6 p.m. March 10 in the VCPL. For more information visit rivercityart.org or contact Turner at dtugraf007@aol.com.