Robert Chapman Turner papers, 1942-2006

Turner, Robert Chapman, b. 1913 d. 2005
Educator, Ceramicist
Alfred Station, N.Y.

Collection size: 13.3 linear ft.

Collection Summary: Biographical and publicity material; correspondence; lectures; writings; teaching, gallery, and exhibition files; photographs; and printed material regarding Turner's career as a ceramicist and educator. Correspondence with and files concerning museums, colleges, including Black Mountain College and Swathmore college, galleries including Greenwich House and Helen Drutt, dealers, exhibitions, workshops, clients, family, professional art and craft associations and artists including David and Ann Shaner, Kenneth Ferguson, Connie Bostic, Carolyn Bilderback, Karen Karnes, Toshiko Takaezu, Alice Parrott, and others; materials from 2 courses taught by Turner, ca. 1957 and ca. 1975 and class registers and gradebooks; extensive files pertaining to the York State Craftsmen, Inc.

inventories; notes on kiln and glaze recipes, as well as a variety of subjects including production planning, lectures and workshops and exhibitions Turner juried; Turners writings on Peter Voulkos, William Parry and others; an essay, "The Ceramist as Social Critic" and a book "50 Years of Buildings" by Turner (concerning the Turner Construction Company, Boston, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, 1952); photographs and slides of Turner, his family, friends, his works of art and exhibitions as well as photographs of the construction of the pottery shop at Black Mountain College and of the artists studio in Alfred, N.Y., by John Wood; business documents, including invoices, receipts, pottery price lists, and orders; exhibition catalogs and announcements; newspaper clippings; and miscellany.

Biographical/Historical Note: Ceramist; Alfred Station, N.Y. Turner was on the faculties of Black Mountain College (1949-1951) and Alfred University (1958-1979). He also conducted numerous ceramics workshops throughout his career and was an active member of the New York State Craftsman.

Donated 1982 by Turner and in 2005 and 2006 by Rosalind Turner Zuses, Turner's daughter.

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Also in the Archives

• Oral history interview with Robert Turner, 2001 June 11
• Image Gallery items from other collections related to Turner, Robert Chapman