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Don LaViere Turner (1929-1997)

Born in Milwaukee, in 1929, Wisconsin native Don LaViere Turner established his reputation as a graphic and fine artist under the tutelage of John Wilde and later in his career redefined the art of metal point drawing. He has lived in both California and Wisconsin.
He received his B.S. & M.S. degrees at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and in 1958 received his M.F.A. from the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles.
His early graphic work shows a strong German Expressionist influence using woodcut and etching as mediums. He experimented as many artists did with abstract black and white lithography in the 1960's. Known for his precise drawing his talent turned to metal point drawings and constructions that ranged from graphic surrealism to mammoth abstract constructions incorporating wood metal, fabric etc.
Exhibiting nationally by 1953, he received numerous grants and awards including: Tiffany Foundation grant, 1958; Jose Drudis Foundation Grant, 1956; UNESCO Grant, 1962 (Paris residence); Outstanding Young Man of the Year" Award, 1964; William Carlos Williams 1st Annual Award, Graphics, 1964. Purchase awards have been granted to him by the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors; Oklahoma Printmakers Society and the Pasadena Art Museum.
Turner is credited with over 60 solo print and fine art exhibitions and twice as many group exhibitions that cover virtually every major important graphic show in past years including the World Drawing Exhibition, Chicago Art Institute; Smithsonian Institute; Pennell Exhibition of Prints, Library of Congress; Butler Art Institute; The Print Club, Philadelphia; Print Festival, Pasadena Art Museum; Los Angeles County Museum Annual; "Seventy-Five Printmakers," selected by the Society of American Graphic Artists.
His work resides in numerous public and private collections including the Library of Congress, Washington D.C.; MOMA, NY; Norton Simon, Pasadena, CA; Oakland Museum, CA; San Francisco Museum of Fine Art, CA; Long Beach Art Museum, CA; Los Angeles County Museum, CA; Phoenix Art Museum, AZ; Kenosha Public Museum, WI.