Anderson Turner, director of galleries at Kent State University and an artist, displays his art in the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology center until Oct. 13. 

   Colors, lines and shapes from nature and life present themselves to the viewer, drawing them into the theme of some of the pieces. Turner works in three personas: the artist, the architect and the farmer. The exhibit shows many pieces in the persona of the farmer. Turner’s art work includes painted wood, scrap ceramic chicken heads and paintings of plant and farm life.

   Turner works up to 20 pieces, when he takes on a persona. He also uses discarded materials found on the farm he owns called the “Lucky Penny Farm” located in Garrettsville, Ohio in the process of making art.

   Turner said the landscape of Ohio inspires some of his art.

   “Visually, I like the rolling hills and the fact that you have a lot of sky. Just being able to see a little more wide open space has a very a positive affect on my art,” Turner said. “So even on cloudy days, which there are lots of in Northern Ohio, I still see the sun through the clouds. It gives a very positive effect.” 

   He works as director of galleries for Kent State University’s School of Art. He operates six galleries holding a 2,600 piece collection. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculptures and a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics. His published works includes 50 articles about other artists and 14 books.

   Scott Lykens, assistant professor of art, said people in the area would probably enjoy Turner's art. 

   “I think everyone would like it. It’s a rural agricultural community and one of his personas in the persona of a farmer,” Lykens said. “A number of pieces were made from a farmer’s perspective.”