Donald E. Turner at 2017 Art in the Park event
River City Art Association’s February Artist of the Month featured by the Vigo County Public Library is Donald Turner of Terre Haute.
In a virtual exhibition on the library’s YouTube channel, Turner celebrates his heritage and Black History Month.
The six works featured in the library video include Turner’s portrait of Billie Holiday, a pastel drawing titled “Lady Day,” and an oil painting, “Rainbow.” Turner also is a master of watercolor, charcoal, as well as graphite and ink drawings.
Turner attended Butler University and Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, where he studied with renowned Indiana artist Harry Davis. He 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, Turner studied watercolor painting in spring 2008 with internationally known painter Joseph Fettingis NWS at Turkey Run State Park.
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.
Turner’s company, Turner Graphique Designs, has created work for several well-known companies and organizations in Terre Haute and the surrounding area including Clabber Girl, Williams/Randall Marketing and Communications, and Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute.
Turner is well known in the art community for the drawings and paintings he has created for area art shows and juried exhibitions. His many honors and awards include a first place in 2016 for his pastel drawing, “The Legend of Satchmo,” at RCAA’s eighth annual juried exhibition; Best of Show in 2017 for his “Lady Day” entry in the VCPL’s Big Read Art Competition; People’s Choice award in 2019 for his “Iron Mike” graphite drawing of former heavy weight boxing champion Mike Tyson in the VCPL’s Big Read “The Big Smoke” Art Competition.
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- Best of Show: ‘Lady Day’ by Donald E. Turner
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- Oil paintings “Motherhood” and “Raindow” and drawings by Donald Turner of Terre Haute.
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- First Place Drawing: Detailed close-up of The Legend of Satchmo by Don Turner
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- 2015 RCAA annual exhibition, Third Place, Drawing: Don Turner
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- “Endless Despair” by Don Turner
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- Third Place drawing: Baptism in the Wabash by Donald Turner
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- People’s Choice Award: Don Turner-Iron Mike-Big Read 2019
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- People’s Choice Award: Don Turner-Iron Mike-Big Read comments
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- Best of Show at Big Read: “It’s goodbye …” by Don Turner
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- “Ringtime” at Big Read by Don Turner
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- Charcoal drawing of Harriet Tubman by Donald Turnrer
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- “Brother’s Keeper” a print of an original oil painting by Don Turner
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- Allen Chapel Underground by Don Turner
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- Nigerian Girl by Don Turner
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- 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.
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- Congrats to Donald Turner of Terre Haute
In addition to being recognized as an exceptionally talented artist, Turner was recognized in 2017 for his contributions to his community. He was among 4 honorees feted by the city of Terre Haute Human Relations Commission at its 8th Annual Human Rights Awards Banquet.
Turner is a past president and past vice president of RCAA. For RCAA membership information click here.
RIVER CITY ART ASSOCIATION 