In Memoriam: Donald E. Turner

River City Art Association is saddened by the loss of our friend, mentor and past president Donald E. Turner.

Don joined RCAA not long after its founding in August 2008. After founding president Martin Martinez passed in 2011, Don was elected as RCAA’s next president.

He was an award-winning artist, respected teacher and recognized community activist in Terre Haute and Vigo County.

Don participated in River City Art Association workshops for children and Art in the Park events. He also assisted with RCAA’s Christmas in the Park shelter projects. He received awards for his portraits of well-known Black Americans and other artwork he exhibited in RCAA Annual Juried Art Exhibits as well as Best of Show and People’s Choice awards at Big Read art contests hosted by the Vigo County Public Library.

Don also was RCAA’s February Artist of the Month at the Vigo County Public Library during Black History Month for many years. He was recognized for many of his drawings and oil paintings. His last exhibit at the VCPL was in February 2024, debuting his most recent works in watercolor.

The following obituary provided by Don’s family for the Tribune-Star is a wonderful tribute to the man, artist, mentor, friend we all knew and loved.

Donald Eugene Turner

Terre Haute, Indiana – Donald Eugene Turner was born on January 19, 1936 in Terre Haute, Indiana at St.

Anthony’s Hospital to Herbert William Turner and Abbie Louetta Turner. He attended high school at Garfield, where he held the high jump record for many years. He was an All-State football and basketball player. He committed his life to Christ at an early age, and was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. He departed this earthly life on October 29th, 2025 at the age of 89 years old.

His love for art began at a young age when his mother would set up drawing contests between him and his older brother, William. He is quoted in the Tribune-Star, saying “by the time I got to first grade, I already had confidence in my ability, and from then on, my teachers identified my talent and encouraged me with special assignments.” After high school, he attended Butler University and the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis where he studied with renowned Indiana artist, Harry Davis. He then moved back to Terre Haute, and found employment with Meis department store as an art illustrator in advertising. He later enrolled at Indiana State University (ISU), and studied art with Charles Reddington, Whitney Engeran Jr., Monty Montgomery, and Dick Hay. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Art Education from ISU. He pledged the graduate chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated at ISU, and was an active, proud member. He has had many one-man art shows in Indiana, Illinois, and New York, and his pieces are displayed in museum collections throughout this country. He has won numerous awards for his drawings, paintings, and ceramics.

He is well-known in Vigo County for teaching at ISU, as well as the Vigo County School Corporation (VCSC). He taught African-American History at ISU for 19 years, and art for 35 years at VCSC. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He retired in 2008, and started his own business as an illustrator, named Turner Graphique Designs. He has done work for several businesses in town, including Clabber Girl and the Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute. He inspired many of his students to continue in art. He was a community activist, and president of the Terre Haute branch of the NAACP. He was active in the Vigo County Retired Teachers Association, Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute, and River City Art Association. He served on the Vigo County Public Library board of trustees, and chaired the Arts in Education committee of Arts Illiana. In 2017, he received the “A Level Above” Award from the City of Terre Haute Human Relations Commission in recognition of his service in the areas of civil and human rights in the Terre Haute community. Additionally, with a philanthropic heart, he devoted his time and talent to teach art to neighborhood children, forming an art club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William (Bill) Turner and Nelson Turner, and one sister Carolyn Shelton. He leaves to cherish his memory his sons Jeffrey (Kristi) Turner, Adrian (Sheila) Turner, and Donald Landon; sisters Marian Lawyer, Patricia Bolton, and Janet Stepter; special friend Richard (Dana) Wise; and a great host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at Saints Home Church of God in Christ, with visitation from 9 a.m. until services.