CV 

Avis Turner ~ Artist / Educator

Born 1957, Niskayuna, New York
Current Studio & home in Maine

Galleries & Select Exhibits

2023 Lights Out Gallery, Norway Maine, exhibit: of “Little Sparks”, Bronze Sculpture

2023… to present Blue Raven Gallery, Rockland Maine, Bronze Sculpture

2017… to present   Harbor Square Gallery, Camden Maine, Bronze Sculpture

2017                Solo Exhibit: The Migration Mappings Series, Simsbury, Ct.

2017                Waterfall Arts, Belfast, Maine, juried show: A Migration Mapping Piece

2010-2020       Cooley Gallery, Old Lyme, Ct. Bronze Sculpture

2012                The Sketchbook Project, Brooklyn Art Library, NY, an ongoing archive

2008                The New Britain Museum of American Art, Ct., Juried Show (Sculpture Prize)

1999- 2012      My professional Studio 9B at The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon Ct.

2000-2001       Arts Exclusive Gallery, Featured Artist, Simsbury, Ct.

2001-2008       Polonaise Gallery, Woodstock, Vermont

1990-1998       Alla Rogers Gallery, Georgetown, Washington, DC.

1993                The Daryl Reich Rubenstein Gallery, Sidwell Friends School, Washington, DC.

1991                Ipomal Gallery, Landgraff, Netherlands (solo show/ by invitation)

1991-1995       Annual Washington Figurative Sculptors, Wash. DC, area Galleries & University Venues

1990                Dumbarton Oaks Gallery, Concert Series, Washington, D.C.

1990                Peninsula Fine Arts Center, Newport News, Va.

1989-1991       City Gallery: Co-Op., Georgetown, Washington, DC. (Founding Member)

1988                Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan; Twenty American Sculptors (by invitation)

1988                Muscarrelle Museum of Art, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

1987                Aaron Gallery, Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.

1986                Watkins Gallery, American University, Washington, DC., Thesis Show,

Watkins Purchase Prize, and graduation with honors                                                                     

Education

1986                MFA   Sculpture; American University, Washington, DC.

1981                BS       Art Education; American University, Washington, DC.              

1977                AA       Early Child Development & Liberal Arts, Endicott College, Beverly, Ma.

1994                Reggio Emilia - philosophy & theory, Children’s Museum, Washington, DC.

2001-2003       Reggio Emilia – training, Smith College, Northampton, Ma. and Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, Ma.

Select Teaching

Maine

2017-2019        Leaps of Imagination, a mid-coast Maine, non-profit & grant based, Integrated Arts Program

2016-2018       Farnsworth Museum, Rockland Maine, Art classes & workshops

2017-2020 Private Art Instruction

Connecticut

2002-2017       Farmington Public Schools, Farmington, Ct., Art Grades K-12; art teacher and: District wide Curriculum Designer:

using Arts RROPEL/ Project Zero, and Reggio Emilia Prototypes; Guest Artist Programmer; Community Based Projects

and Service; Suzuki Strings Summer Program, after school enhancement classes, Sister School Student Art Exchange with

Hope School, Sierria Leone

1999-2012       Artist in Residence at Studio 9B, Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, Ct.

                        While at the Farmington Valley Art Center- served as President of the Studio Artist’s Association; and as a Board Member.

Created and implemented the following programs:  Guest Artist Program for the Gallery; Emerging Artist Studio

Residency Program and a Children’s Studio Atelier teaching space (Reggio Emilia Style); as well as participation in

collaborative work with teams for our monthly Open Studio Days, and semiannual Art Fest.

2004-2011       Founder, creator and teacher of Cricket House, a Reggio Emilia Style Summer Art Program; operated from personal

studio & gardens in Farmington, Ct.

2005-2015       Visual Arts Teacher at the acclaimed Suzuki Strings Summer Institute, Farmington Ct.

2001-2004      Art Workshop Presenter: for the Ct. Commission on the Arts & HOT Schools

1998-1999       Miss Porter’s School, Farmington, Ct.; Studio Art and AP Art History

Washington, DC. / Virginia

1991-1998       Sidwell Friends School, Washington, DC., Art Grades 5-7

1987-1998      The American University, Wash. DC., Associate Professor (adjunct)

1987-1989     College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., Instructor (full time) 

Grants/ Awards/Fellowships

2008                New Britain Museum of American Art, Juried Show, Sculpture Award, New Britain, Ct.

1986                Individual Artist Grant, Commission on the Arts, Washington, DC.

1985                National Sculpture Society, NY., Award & Fellowship

1986-1985       Graduate Honors, Fellowship & Purchase Prize, American University

Art Commissions, Public & Private Collections

My sculptures, etchings, paintings, and drawings – are in many private collections throughout the United States, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Netherlands…and more.

2016    A Migration Mapping, of mixed media, client in San Jose, California 

2015    Connecticut Children’s Hospital: Large Botanical Paintings & Drawings, Moth Orchids & Seed Pods  

2003    Private Collectors: bronze sculptures, “Prospero’s Book of Air” & “Winged Figures”, Simsbury and Avon, Ct.

1999    Bronze Sculpture, Commission: Farmington, Ct.

1988     Series of the Small Bronze, “Winged Figures”, Commission: Miami, Fl.

1988     Montgomery County, Md., Fine Arts Center Collection: “Kapiti”, a Bronze Sculpture

1987     Six-Winged Figure Candle Sticks, Bonze, for St. James Episcopal Church, Potomac, Md.

1987     Watkins Gallery, Permanent Collection of The American University, Washington, DC.: “Kapiti” Bronze Sculpture