This large, colorful art glass window, which is located above a set of stairs, is one of the mausoleum’s most notable art pieces. Photo by Lance Armstrong

Editor’s Note: This is part five in a series about the rich history of and associated with East Sacramento’s award-winning East Lawn Memorial Park.

Since its earliest years in the 1920s, the mausoleum at East Lawn Memorial Park has attracted attention for its size, beauty and functionality. And part of the attraction to the building is its artwork.
The most popular portion of this structure’s artwork is its 56 stained glass windows.
Forty-eight of these windows are located in the older corridors of the main building and most of the windows have garden or flower themes.
The largest of these windows are the three 6 ½-foot by 10-foot windows that are located in the south corridor.

Craig Peterson, manager of East Lawn Memorial Park, recently discussed various details about these artistic glass pieces.
In regard to the rich colors of these windows, Peterson said, “The process of creating the windows included paint mixed with ground glass that was painted onto glass and fired at 1,200 degrees. That process was repeated several times to get the right color, the right intensity that the artist wished to have.”
And after being asked who created these notable art pieces, Peterson explained that although East Lawn has various information pertaining to that topic, the cemetery’s management continues to seek specific historical details about the windows in order to answer that question in its entirety.
“We had a local appraiser (Sylvia M. Fitzgerald) come in to appraise the glass for our insurance company and this was about 10 years ago,” Peterson said. “At that time, she didn’t find any type of identification on the windows. She thought they looked kind of Tiffany style and she said she would try to do some research and find out more about the windows. A few years back, she was appraising one of the homes here in East Sac in the Fabulous Forties and she found this window. She said, ‘It looks like an East Lawn window.’ So, she asked the man (Karl DeMund Pape), who was selling the house, if he knew anything about the windows in the house. He said, ‘Oh, my grandfather (Clarence DeMund Todd) made them.’ And he said that his grandfather also made the windows here at East Lawn. Additionally, he sent us a biography about his grandfather.”
Part of the biography, which appears in the 1923 book, “History of Sacramento County, California,” reads: “(Todd) engaged in lampshade work following his high art trade in Philadelphia and also in New York, where he had a good fortune to be associated with Mssrs. Tiffany & Co.”
The biography also mentions that Todd moved to Sacramento in 1912.
About a year later, Todd established his business, Sacramento Art Glass Works, which for the latter half of its years was located at 1610 J St. The business closed in 1936 and Todd passed away six years later at the age of 55.
In regard to some of the notable projects of the company, the 1923 biography refers to the business as having supplied glass and glasswork for St. Elizabeth Portuguese Catholic Church, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the local Presbyterian and Wesleyan churches, and art glass and metal lights in many Sacramento area homes.
The biography also noted that Todd handled the W.P. Fuller Co. glasswork in Northern California and Nevada, and “contracted for all the art glass required for certain storefronts in town.”
In his own writings about his grandfather, Pape noted that Todd created the art glass windows in the old Alhambra Theatre.

“I remember my grandmother taking me to the Alhambra Theatre and getting in free,” Pape wrote. “She had a lifetime pass from my grandfather’s work.”
Pape, whose grandfather and parents are entombed at East Lawn Memorial Park, also noted that his grandfather created the glasswork for the light towers that were located on the 16th Street Bridge prior to its widening in the 1960s.
Peterson explained that he eventually made an interesting discovery related to the mausoleum’s stained glass windows.
“I was digging through an old file cabinet in the (mausoleum’s) tower and I found all of these letters from the Pearson Art Glass Co. in Portland, Ore., and they talk about the windows,” Peterson said. “Here’s one that deals with the Clunie window. In that letter and in some of the other letters, he references Mr. Todd here locally. But from what I can tell, Clarence Todd did the measurements and installed the windows in the family rooms on the north side of the east and west corridors. These windows were made in Portland, Ore. and were shipped down here.”
Unfortunately, for history’s sake, East Lawn has not discovered any paperwork in its own archives pertaining to the manufacturers of its other stained glass windows, including any Todd-made windows.
The aforementioned letters, which were a correspondence between Pearson and East Lawn manager Frank Seymour Baillie, also note that Pearson and Todd were working together on a stained glass process that they referred to as “etchwood.”
In pondering Todd and Pearson’s careers, Peterson said, “One question I have is did Clarence Todd and Mr. Pearson work together with Tiffany in New York and come out here, one going to Portland and one coming to Sacramento? The windows were painted and made in Portland, but as several glass people have stated when they came in here to give us bids on repairing the glass, these look like Tiffany windows. The colorful reds, the styles of how they’re painted, everything looks Tiffany-esque. So, if (the windows) were actually made in Portland, did Pearson also work with Tiffany? We don’t know, but that’s a guess.”

Peterson also speculated that Todd and Pearson may have been introduced to each other by Portland, Ore. resident Ernest M. Welch, president of the Welch Holding Co., which purchased East Lawn Cemetery in the mid-1920s.
Also located in the mausoleum are 15 pen and ink drawings, two charcoal drawings and three watercolor artworks that all have East Lawn themes.
The pen and ink drawings were created for a contest in about 1929.
The winner of the contest, which was designed to establish a replacement logo for East Lawn’s original unlit candle logo, was Bob Thrall.
However, for some reason, a non-contest art piece was used as East Lawn’s then-new logo.
Thrall, who submitted two drawings in the contest, was awarded $25 for his winning entry. He later attended the University of California, Berkeley.
Receiving the $15 second place award was Richard Dodge, who submitted four drawings.
Dodge, who became a printmaker and painter and exhibited his artworks in Sacramento and Oakland, attended Los Angeles’ Art Center School (today’s Art Center College of Design) and the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
The contest’s third place winner was Charles Bell, who was awarded $10.
Bell, who submitted three drawings, studied art at Sacramento Junior College (today’s Sacramento City College) in the 1930s before becoming a noted residential and commercial builder.
Another art student at the college was George Labadie, who submitted three drawings in the contest.
Labadie attended Los Angeles’ Chouinard Art Institute – a school that merged into the California Institute of Arts in 1969 – and later became an art director of an advertising agency.
The remaining artists who submitted drawings in the contest were Irene Ough, Earl Lightfoot and Norman Neilsen.
Peterson said that, unfortunately, East Lawn has no knowledge of the history of the cemetery’s three watercolor and two charcoal drawings.
And he added that although East Lawn is unaware of the history of the mausoleum’s two oil paintings, it is known that the paintings were created by William F. Jackson (1850-1936), who resided at 1622 G St. and served as the first curator of the E.B. Crocker Art Gallery – today’s Crocker Art Museum.
The paintings, which measure 31 ¾ inches x 26 ½ inches and 15 ½ inches by 21 inches, depict meadow lake and mountain scenes in the Sierra Nevada.
In reflecting upon the cemetery’s art collection, Peterson said, “(East Lawn, Inc. President) Alan Fisher and the senior management of East Lawn consider it a privilege to be the current custodians of this treasured collection of artwork.”

February is Black History Month, and there are a number of opportunities for you and your family to celebrate in the Sacramento area. Here’s a look at just some of the events happening this month!

Quilt Exhibit to Highlight African-American Quilters & Quilts

Sisters Quilting Collective (SQC) will host its second annual quilt exhibit, “A Stitch in Time: The Past, Present and Future,” from February 2 through 28 at The Brickhouse Art Gallery, 2837 36th Street, in Sacramento.

The exhibit will highlight African-American quilters and quilts with a variety of programs, including quilting demonstrations, children’s activities, quilt displays, lectures and film screenings.

For more information, call 916-475-1240 or visit www.thebrickhousegalleryoakpark.com.

Free Tribute Concert to Famed Female Jazz Singers

The Sacramento Public Library will present a musical tribute to famed women jazz singers at a free family concert at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 20, in the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria at the Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento.
Jazz vocalist and recording artist Vivian Lee and her quartet will celebrate divas of jazz – Carmen McRea, Billie Holiday, Nancy Wilson and Dinah Washington.  Hear  the music and learn about the lives of these amazing African American women of the jazz world.  The jazz concert is one of numerous Black History Month programs scheduled at Sacramento Public Library locations throughout February.

For more information, call  916-264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org.

Black History Month Family Festival

The Crocker Art Museum will celebrate Black History Month with a showcase of the art, culture, history and traditions of the African Diaspora through its Black History Month Family Festival on Monday, February 18, from 11am-3pm. This free event will feature performances by musical storyteller Asheba, the Vukani Mawethu Choir, and the Sacramento/Black Art of Dance.

The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 O Street. For more information, call 916-808-7000 or visit www.crockerartmuseum.org.

Sacramento State Celebrates Black History Month

California State University Sacramento is offering a number of programs in celebration of Black History Month.

On February 16, award-winning author Eva Rutland, 95, will lead a discussion about her life from her book, When We Were Colored: A Mother’s Story, at 12 noon in the Union Redwood Room at Sacramento State.

On February 19, representatives from Sacramento State and the California State University system will visit churches in Sacramento’s African-American community to urge young people and their parents to begin planning for college. President Alexander Gonzalez will visit St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at 10 am, and Joseph Sheley, Sacramento State’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will visit St. John Missionary Baptist Church at 10:45 am.

A photo exhibit by Felicenne Ramey, “We Stand On Their Shoulders,” featuring images of elder African Americans, will be on display from February 12 through March 15 at the Sacramento State Library lobby. The exhibit is open during Library hours: 7:15 am-11 pm Monday through Thursday; 7:15 am-7 pm Friday; 8 am-5 pm Saturday; and 11 am-10 pm Sunday.

And Sacramento/Black Art of Dance will celebrate its “20th Anniversary Concert: Past, Present and Future” in the Solano Hall Dancespace. Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 16-18, 24 and 25; 2 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26; and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22-23. Tickets are $5-$12 and available at Sac State’s Ticket Office, 916-278-4323 or www.tickets.com.

For more information, call 916-278-6943 or visit www.csus.edu.

Sacramento Library Celebrates Black History Month

Local branches of the Sacramento Public Library are offering a number of programs throughout February to help celebrate Black History Month. Here’s a look at a few – to find more, visit  www.saclibrary.org or call tel:(916) 264-2920.

Find Your Black Ancestors – Genealogy expert Lisa Lee will offer tips of tracing your family’s black history roots on Friday, February 15, at 3 pm at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, in Sacramento.
The Black Kitchen – Cooking from Our Heritage – Join a discussion about the rich culinary heritage and diverse recipe sources of the African American kitchen on Tuesday, February 19, at 6 pm at the Carmichael Library, 5605 Marconi Avenue.
Tar Beach: Faith Ringgold’s Story Quilts with ArtBeast – Hear a reading of Faith Ringgold’s book, Tar Beach, and explore the author’s story quilts celebrating family heritage on Thursday, February 21, at 4 pm at Arcade Library, 2443 Marconi Avenue, in Sacramento.
WaZoBia with Mr. Sunny – WaZoBia means “Come! Come! Come!” in three distinct Nigerian tribal languages and is an invitation of togetherness and unity. Mr. Sunny shares the spirit of Africa with a cultural drum and dance program on Saturday, February 23, at 1:30 pm at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, in Sacramento.
African American Inventors – Magician Forrest Barnes introduces African American inventors who have changed our lives with their remarkable inventions on Saturday, February 23, at 2 pm at McKinley Library, 601 Alhambra Blvd., in Sacramento.

African-American History Tour

“Meet” runaway slaves, Buffalo Soldiers, restaurant owners, deacons and gamblers at the Historic City Cemetery’s African-American History Tour on Saturday, February 23, from 10-11 am.

The Sacramento Historic City Cemetery is located at 1000 Broadway in Sacramento. For more information, call 916-264-7839 or 916-448-0811, or visit www.oldcitycemetery.com.

3 Kings: Black History Month Celebration

Celebrate black history month at The Brickhouse Gallery in Sacramento with live art, poetry and music performances by Destructikonz w/ Algorhythms, Brother Hypnotic, V.S. Chochezi, immoBme, Sean King, NSAA and Russel Cummings on Saturday, February 16 at 8 pm.

The Brickhouse Gallery is located at 2837 36th Street in Sacramento. For more information, call 916-475-1240 or visit www.thebrickhousegalleryoakpark.com.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, author Deborah Davis will take to the stage to discuss on of the most infamous portraits in American art history, “Madame X” by John Singer Sargent.

“Strapless” author Deborah Davis will take the stage at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento to talk about the mysterious woman who posed for Singer Sargent’s most infamous portrait. Filled with scandal and beauty, this is a tantalizing tale not to be missed.

Since 1998 “One Book” projects have connected people through literature by encouraging an entire community to read one book and share the experience through public readings and discussions. The Crocker is expanding this idea by adding art to the mix by presenting “One Book/Many Perspectives.”

Admission to this event is $10 for museum members, $20 for nonmembers. To order tickets online, visit www.crockerartmuseum.org and click on “Buy Tickets.” Or simply call the museum at (916) 808-1182.

Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a two-part series regarding Margaret Crocker.

 

One hundred and twenty-five years have passed since a grand celebration was held in honor of one of the city’s all-time greatest philanthropists, Margaret Crocker.

On the afternoon and evening of May 6, 1885, practically everyone in the city turned their attention to this woman who had donated so much for the good of Sacramento.

Among Margaret’s most notable contributions were her donations of a large tract of land to increase the size of the city cemetery, the Bell Conservatory (a large greenhouse structure that was built to supply flowers for the city cemetery), and the Marguerite Home, a home for “aged gentlewomen” at 1617 7th St.

As an extreme showing of gratitude for the generosity of Margaret, who was the wife of Judge Edwin Bryant Crocker, a well-known art collector and the brother of railroad baron Charles Crocker, a grand floral festival paid tribute to this self-sacrificing citizen.

Prior to this free-of-charge event, newspapers in and outside of Sacramento previewed the upcoming gathering and showered Margaret with much deserved compliments.

The San Jose Times-Mercury, for instance, published the following words regarding Margaret: “Her name for years has been the synonym of disinterested charity. She has shown by her works how worldly possessions can adorn a noble character. She has poured out her money in every conceivable channel of benevolence without ostentation. She has aided all public-spirited enterprises and has contributed without stint to adorn and beautify the city in which she lives. Her benefactions, which have known neither creed nor religion, amount to millions of dollars. Sacramento does well in honoring one so noble, and this testimonial by a grateful people will mark an epoch in the history of that city.”

The Colusa Sun echoed the words of the Times-Mercury and many other newspapers of the time through the following words: “Mrs. Margaret E. Crocker has endeared herself to the people of Sacramento by a long life studded with gems of charity. Her whole life has been one of charity and love for her fellow beings.”

And locally, the Sacramento Record-Union in its May 5, 1885 edition posed the question, “What more fitting oblation could they bring than these free gifts of nature, sweet lovely flowers?”

In likening Margaret to flowers – “Odors of Edeu and offerings divine” – the Record-Union published the following words: “Mrs. Margaret E. Crocker has wealth of gold, and like flowers, she distributes its {sic} brightness and its {sic} worth for the benefit of the sick, weary and homeless, and for the lovers of the beautiful. This will no doubt be the most magnificent floral fete in the world’s history.”

And in making it such an event, many people consistently worked for an entire week to prepare for the gathering, including those men and women who constructed the elaborate floral designs.

This latter work, which was enhanced by attached cards bearing words of affection for Margaret, was such an undertaking that the Record-Union of May 7, 1885 reported that “in no floral display were pieces of such magnitude ever attempted in this country.”

As the greatest demonstration of honor for a private citizen in the city’s history, the floral festival, which featured flowers from throughout the state, was held at 15th and N streets in the then-new Pavilion of the California State Agricultural Society on May 6, 1885.

On this day, every business was closed throughout the city and thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to Margaret, and many people, businesses and organizations that were unable to be present at the event sent letters of remembrances.

Those entering the Pavilion saw displays of flowers of every variety and hue throughout the building, pine, cedar and evergreen trees, hanging baskets of ferns and evergreens and large banners bearing the inscriptions, “Consort of Our City” and “Lover of Our Homes.”

The scene was illuminated by both gas and electric lights, with the latter being made possible through the introduction of electric lighting in the city during the previous year.

Electricity of a different kind entered the pavilion at 2:30 p.m., as Margaret and her party were greeted by about 3,000 children who created double lines at the Pavilion’s entrance.

A guard of honor consisting of 20 girls strewed flowers in the pathway of the procession.

After Margaret was escorted to her seat on the grandstand, the aforementioned children passed by Margaret and delivered floral offerings to the stage.

The afternoon program, which was attended by a crowd, which was widely estimated to have consisted of 12,000 to 20,000 people, featured tribute banners carried by local schools, musical presentations and a maypole dance by the young ladies’ guard of honor.

An even larger crowd, which was primarily composed of adults, arrived for an evening session.

Margaret was seated on the grandstand shortly after 8 p.m. and the program began with floral tributes, including a unique presentation in which members of the California Pioneers marched from a miniature model of Sutter’s Fort prior to presenting their floral offerings.

The program also consisted of musical performances, including a grand chorus performance by the Ladies Choral Society, Turner Harmonie and others, a speech made by George W. Chesley, president of the Sacramento Pioneer Association, and a maypole dance by the same young ladies who performed in the afternoon session.

But by far the most notable segment of the evening was Margaret’s gifting of the E.B. Crocker Art Gallery – presently the Crocker Art Museum – to the city of Sacramento and the California Museum Association “in trust for the public.”

Prior to handing Mayor John Q. Brown the key to the gallery, Margaret briefly addressed Brown.

This address included the following words: “Mayor Brown, in this midst of this sweet atmosphere of love and fragrance and upon this occasion – one of the happiest days of my life – it affords me great pleasure to make a formal delivery to you of the E.B. Crocker Art Gallery; the bestowal of which I feel sure I am but carrying out the wishes of my late husband, and the only wish I breathe as I bestow it is that great good may come to Sacramento by its possession.”

With the recent, $100 million, 125,000-square-foot expansion of the Crocker Art Museum, Margaret’s dream for the gallery has likely exceeded her wildest expectations, and coupled with the prosperity of the city cemetery, the name Margaret Crocker continues to be a name worthy of a grand celebration like the one held 125 years ago.

lance@valcomnews.com

Sacramento partied like it was 10-10-10 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to celebrate the re-opening of the Crocker Art Museum and the grand opening of its 125,000 square-foot expansion.

Members of the public were treated to a wide variety of multicultural events, as well as a free day to tour the museum.

SACRAMENTO – This fall, the Crocker Art Museum will present more than 26 classes for children, tweens, teens and adults during the Museum’s inaugural session of studio art and art history courses. Classes will be held in the Museum’s new education center, which includes four studio art classrooms, a teacher resource center, a space for participatory arts programming for children and adults, an expanded library and student exhibition galleries.

 

“Education has been at the core of the Crocker’s mission since the Museum’s founding, but it is the Museum’s recent expansion that has enabled us to present year-round classes for all ages for the first time in our 125-year history,” said Stacey Shelnut-Hendrick, director of education at the Crocker Art Museum. 

 

 

 

All classes are taught by highly skilled teaching artists and are designed to encourage students to unleash their imaginations while receiving formal lessons in a variety of media. Students can choose from a broad array of subjects, including color theory, watercolor, printmaking, textiles, photography and painting. Class offerings range from one-day workshops to eight-week sessions with each class series designed for a particular age group and skill level.

 

Highlights of this quarter’s class offerings include a Master Artist Workshop with acclaimed artist Stephen Kaltenbach, painter of collection favorite Portrait of My Father, and a Master Drawings Art History lab and class taught by curator William Breazeale and artist David Lobenberg.

 

For a complete schedule of classes and a registration form, visit crockerartmuseum.org/studio. For more information, call (916) 808-1182 or email education@crockerartmuseum.org.

 

The Crocker Art Museum was established in 1885 and is one of the leading art institutions in Northern California. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European, Asian, African and Oceanic artworks. The Museum is closed for renovation through October 9. On October 10, the Crocker will open the 125,000-square-foot Teel Family Pavilion. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Starting October 12, Museum hours will be 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

 

 

Special to Valley Community Newspapers 

Sacramento - In recognition of the substantial ongoing support of Crocker Art Museum capital campaign co-chairs Mort and Marcy Friedman, the Crocker will name the position of the director in their honor—the Mort and Marcy Friedman Director of the Crocker Art Museum. The Friedmans have not only donated 10 million dollars to the Crocker’s capital campaign, they have inspired the local community to support the Crocker and Sacramento’s growth as a prominent center for arts, culture and education. Both have been active as Board members and have dedicated countless hours to the Museum. 

 

Lial A. Jones, the Mort and Marcy Friedman Director of the Crocker Art Museum, states, “Building a great art museum takes great leaders who possess the vision, determination and action to ensure the goal becomes a reality. The Crocker’s unprecedented campaign success is the result of incredible community leaders. While the Friedmans didn’t seek personal recognition, the Museum wanted to be certain that they were acknowledged and honored. Naming the directorship of the Museum is a way to convey the gratitude we at the Crocker feel for the enormity of the Friedmans’ support. Their passion for the Museum has helped re-shape this institution in a way that will benefit the community for generations to come.”

 

The Friedmans’ tremendous generosity and dedication to the Crocker expansion is testimony to their passionate commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Sacramentans and the standing of the city on the national scene. Their extraordinary contributions to organizations in the region also encompass active support of higher education, which includes funding student scholarships and speaker’s programs at California State University, Sacramento. They are also ardent supporters of Capital Unity Council and Mosaic Law Congregation. Together the Friedmans have been named Sacramentan of the year by the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and Philanthropist of the Year by the National Society of Fundraising Executives.

Special to Valley Community Newspapers 

Sacramento – The Crocker Art Museum has received a gift of 37 works by ceramist Rob Barnard, one of the foremost practitioners of the wood-fired tradition. The collection, given by Rob Wood, brings to the Museum a fully developed view of Barnard’s studio practice up to the present. This generous gift enhances the Crocker’s ceramics holdings, contributing to its status as an international destination for the research and exhibition of contemporary ceramics.

 Collector Rob Wood first became aware of Barnard’s work in 1988 and met Barnard later that year during the artist’s solo exhibition at Washington, D.C.’s Anton Gallery.  Wood has been collecting Barnard’s work since that time. “What struck me about Barnard’s work then, and continues to resonate with me today, is just how complex ‘simple’ can be,” Wood said. “Barnard’s work is the physical manifestation of that riddle. It is everything the early 21^st century is not—profoundly minimal, quiet and restrained—yet it is also unmistakably a product of our time.”

 

Barnard began studying pottery at the University of Kentucky in 1971. He went on to study under the distinguished Kazuo Yagi at Kyoto University of Fine Arts in 1974. He has participated in numerous juried and solo exhibitions in the United States and Japan. Currently, he is a lecturer in ceramics at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

 

“We are deeply appreciative of Mr. Wood’s generosity in making this gift to the Crocker Art Museum,” said Diana L. Daniels, associate curator, Crocker Art Museum. “Rob Barnard has been an influential maker, author, and advocate for ceramics appreciation. This gift makes us the first major museum to receive a thoughtfully developed survey of Barnard’s production.” An exhibition and catalogue of Barnard’s work is being planned.

 

“As one of the premier institutions in the United States committed to the field of international ceramics, the Crocker Art Museum is the obvious choice for this gift,” said Wood.

 

On October 10, 2010 the Crocker Art Museum will celebrate the public opening of its dramatic 125,000-square-foot expansion designed by Charles Gwathmey and Gwathmey Siegel and Associates Architects. The new Teel Family Pavilion complements the 125-year-old Crocker’s historic structures and more than triples the museum’s current size, enhancing its role as a cultural and educational resource for Sacramento and California’s many visitors. Extensive new galleries enable the Crocker to present an expanded program of traveling exhibitions and exhibit significantly more of its permanent collection, which has grown by more than 4,000 objects in the past decade.

“I never got to appreciate what I saw before.”

That is how Carmichael resident and photographer Richard Turner sums up his life before photography. It’s not that he never went anywhere interesting; he detailed a seven-day span in which he traveled to a half dozen European countries for business during his 41 years as a lawyer. It’s not that he was unable to see, it’s that his job did not allow him to see.

“I didn’t want any more calls or faxes or anything else,” Turner said of a decision he made in 1998. “I told my wife I’d be back in a month. I drove through Idaho and Montana and took a camera along.”

Turner wasn’t experienced with photography when he left, nor had he ever had much interest during his years consumed with the legal process.

“I considered myself a pretty creative lawyer,” he said slyly. “But I didn’t know I had any artistic ability at all.”

When he came back, he showed his pictures to a professional photographer, but the reception he got was not favorable. He was told that the pictures he had taken were terrible. Instead of letting this news get him down, he took to heart what he was told and dove deep into the art of photography.

At the conclusion of a three-month trial in 2005, Turner retired from practicing law (although he remains licensed to this day). His newfound freedom allowed him to finally see everything that surrounded him. And what caught his eye in the most profound way was nature.

“I can hardly even walk by a flower without stopping to look at it now,” he said.

To say that photography and nature changed his life is one thing, but hearing his words on life after being in the law profession truly shows what a different path his life has taken.

“I learned that I don’t want to miss the beauty of the world by being too busy,” he said.

He had seen just about everything he could possibly see in law over those 41 years, but the life that he enjoys now never really got to play a part.

Turner said that 90 percent of his photography work is of nature. He specializes in high-impact color on flowers. To date he has sold 35,000 greeting cards that are sold all over Northern California including at the Crocker Art Museum. And while selling pieces is always a welcome event, it is the art itself that captivates him.

“Sharing (my photos) with people makes me happy,” he said.

It would seem as though his photos make other people happy as well. Some of Turner’s work now hangs in Mercy San Juan Hospital in Sacramento. Thirty-five photographers from all over Northern California entered a contest to see whose pieces would be chosen to adorn the walls. Currently there are 12 Turner original works on permanent display in the lobby as well as the connection between wings.

His colorful and vibrant works were considered ideal to put in a place for patients and their family members. Included is a five-by-three-foot Peace rose on canvas, which hangs on the wall across from the elevators.

 

Other artistic endeavors

Turner is also starting a concert series at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center in which he will collaborate with both visual and performing artists to create what he calls “Art Song” by combining images with music. The series will hopefully be up and running by October of this year.

He will also have his works at the Sacramento Art Festival in October at the Sacramento Convention Center as well as at the Blue Wing Gallery in Woodland in May 2011.

Being an artist can be a tough thing if it is what you do for a living. But Turner has a message for the struggling artist who wonders if it’s worth it.

“Pursue your passion. Good things will happen if you do,” he said. “Good things always happen. It might be money, it might not. But something good will happen.”

For more about Turner and his work, visit his Web site at www.rturnerphotography.com.

 

E-mail Benn Hodapp at benn@valcomnews.com.