New Acquisitions exhibit showcases donations to the Janet Turner collection
Here are some of the steps on how a colored print is made. Done by Gustave Baumann. Photo credit: Hannah Yeager
Both local and international artists are being showcased at the Janet Turner Print Museum Jan. 22 through Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The exhibit is not only meant to show new art being added but it also includes three pieces from Thailand and a piece from Australia, two countries that have never been represented in the Turner collection before.
Among the pieces donated, there are prints from George Segal, M. C. Usher, Janet Turner, Orit Hofshi and many others ranging in style, color and method.
A specific piece by George Segal, “Sleeping Girl,” was donated by Thomas Thomson, a Chico local and architect.
Thomson took a summer studio course taught by Janet Turner and found that experience defined his passion for art.
“What made me really thrilled to be a part of this is that the studio course I took from her changed my life,” Thomson said. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but the whole idea of design studios and art studios just intrigue me.”
Thomson’s donation will be added, along with the rest of the pieces exhibited, to the Turner collection.
Catherine Sullivan, the museum curator since 1993, has been working on building these kinds of connections and she emphasized that without these relationships, exhibits like this one would not be possible.
The New Acquisitions exhibit is also being considered a kickoff for a new endowment fund that will be put in place to add another aspect to those looking to donate to the gallery.
“Donations are hard to predict,” Sullivan said. “With an endowment, with funding, we can predict and put together the exhibits thematically.”
The Turner Print Museum on campus has made continuous strides in both the academic aspect of printmaking and in showcasing beautiful collectible work.
Since the ‘80s, the collection has doubled in size and the addition of an endowment would give the museum even more flexibility when it comes to setting up exhibits for both students and the community.
“It is exciting because we get to show the history of printmaking and the history being made today,” Sullivan said.
Hannah Yeager can be reached at [email protected] or @theorion_news.
Michael R. Halldorson // Feb 1, 2018 at 7:08 pm
I was Janet Turner’s teaching assistant in 1970 the same year that I spent time with M.C. Escher in Holland. Like Tom, working with Janet transformed my life.
Please correct M.C. Usher to M. C. Escher.
Presently, I donate my time to printmaking students in the print room and I am on the board of directors for the Turner Print Museum. I also donate my etchings to non-profits.
Warm regards,
Michael