Oil paintings “Motherhood” and “Raindow” and drawings by Donald Turner of Terre Haute.

Terre Haute artist Donald E. Turner celebrates Black History Month by sharing his artwork throughout February in the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Two of Don’s recent oil paintings, “Motherhood” and “Rainbow,” as well as several drawings are featured in the River City Art Association’s Artist of the Month gallery space in the library through Feb. 28.

Don’s artistic skills emerged while attending McClean Junior and Garfield High schools, where he learned the fundamentals of art from Frida Terhorst and Jessie Martin.

After high school he attended Butler University and Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, where he studied with renowned Indiana artist Harry Davis.

Don later studied art with Charles Reddington, Whitney Engeran Jr., Monty Montgomery and Dick Hay at Indiana State University.

After earning several degrees in art education, a master of arts and a master of science degrees, Don studied watercolor painting in spring 2008 with internationally known painter Joseph Fettingis NWS at Turkey Run State Park.

Don is well known in Vigo County for his work in the community. After many years of teaching art in the public schools and at ISU, he retired in 2008 to start his own art business as an illustrator.

Don’s company, Turner Graphique Designs, has created work for several well-known companies in Terre Haute and the surrounding area including Clabber Girl, Williams/Randall Marketing and Communications, and Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute.

Don also is well known in the art community for the drawings and watercolor paintings he has created for area art shows. His many honors and awards include a Best of Show pastel drawing in the library’s Big Read Art Competition in 2017, and a first place pastel drawing in 2016 at RCAA’s eighth annual juried competition.

Turner is a past president and past vice president of RCAA. In addition to the art business, he also is active in the Vigo County Retired Teacher’s Association and Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute.

Contact Turner at Turner Graphique Designs, 2129 Spruce St., Terre Haute, IN 47807; or dtugraf007@aol.com.

For RCAA membership information contact RCAA past president Todd Stokes at 812-232-0048.