2008 Woodie Awards
Former Webster student speaks about unique exhibits at Artist Lecture Series
By: Amber Russell
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Lifestyle
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"Art is Good" - the title of Dana Turkovic's first exhibition - was also the backbone of her Aug. 31 lecture. Many of Webster's art students attended the lecture, hungry for Turkovic's insight as both a curator and director of the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery. She spoke of her influences with passion and appreciation and incorporated both artists and exhibitors into the lecture.
Webster's Art Department began its Friday Artist Lecture Series by welcoming alumna Turkovic to share her work and experiences with students and faculty. More than 50 people attended the lecture, which was held in Sverdrup Room 123.
Mandie Steiling, a senior art major, attended the lecture and said she really likes Turkovic and the way she presented the material.
"She's very real," Steiling said. "If I need to ask her something, I don't hesitate."
Turkovic graduated from Webster in 1998 with a bachelor of fine arts in painting, but has since found her niche as an independent curator. While studying abroad at Webster's Vienna, Austria campus, Turkovic found the Museum of Applied Arts, where she was asked to reinterpret the collections that were being shown at the time. She said this was a great learning experience for her.
Her first exhibit, titled "Art is Good," was held in 1999 at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. This was a key stepping stone for Turkovic toward finding where she fit in the art world, as she realized she really liked the social activity of being a curator. Although no one showed up to her exhibition, she said it was awesome.
Turkovic organized an exhibit for her friend Jason Watson's work, along with pieces created by other Webster BFA graduates in this exhibition.
"I like the idea of not trying to force an interpretation, but having a collaborative project with the artists," Turkovic said.
She moved to Los Angeles, where she got a job at the Hammer Museum and began holding exhibitions in her office. Turkovic said she was always looking for new, innovative places to hold exhibitions.
Webster's Art Department began its Friday Artist Lecture Series by welcoming alumna Turkovic to share her work and experiences with students and faculty. More than 50 people attended the lecture, which was held in Sverdrup Room 123.
Mandie Steiling, a senior art major, attended the lecture and said she really likes Turkovic and the way she presented the material.
"She's very real," Steiling said. "If I need to ask her something, I don't hesitate."
Turkovic graduated from Webster in 1998 with a bachelor of fine arts in painting, but has since found her niche as an independent curator. While studying abroad at Webster's Vienna, Austria campus, Turkovic found the Museum of Applied Arts, where she was asked to reinterpret the collections that were being shown at the time. She said this was a great learning experience for her.
Her first exhibit, titled "Art is Good," was held in 1999 at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. This was a key stepping stone for Turkovic toward finding where she fit in the art world, as she realized she really liked the social activity of being a curator. Although no one showed up to her exhibition, she said it was awesome.
Turkovic organized an exhibit for her friend Jason Watson's work, along with pieces created by other Webster BFA graduates in this exhibition.
"I like the idea of not trying to force an interpretation, but having a collaborative project with the artists," Turkovic said.
She moved to Los Angeles, where she got a job at the Hammer Museum and began holding exhibitions in her office. Turkovic said she was always looking for new, innovative places to hold exhibitions.
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