The Don LaViere Turner Endowment
in Special Collections, University of California, Santa Cruz
The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) and Gerry Turner (the donor)
establish The Don LaViere Turner Endowment in Special Collections at the
University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Background
This library subject endowment is established to recognize, preserve and
celebrate the artistic vision and corpus of the late graphic artist, Don LaViere
Turner, one of the master draftsmen of our time. Turner's work demonstrates his
concern for and thorough command of drawing in all its forms and mediums as well
as the visual hunger that drove him and his work. Urgently seeking to
communicate with us all, he articulated a personal alphabet of vision and
produced images of unrelenting intensity which peel away superficial layers of
existence to grapple with core conflicts and ecstasies of the soul. By sharing
these images and the poetry, essays, stories and other written material, the
creative path explored by Turner will open new vistas for new students, artists
and other seekers. As Dr. Thomas Leavitt wrote of Don LaViere Turner, "For
him art serves life or it has no purpose at all."
Statement of Purpose
Income from the Don LaViere Turner UCSC library subject endowment will be
used by University Library Special Collections staff to acquire, organize,
preserve, and otherwise support the Don LaViere Turner Archive. The Archive will
include representative samples of every significant medium and period in the
artist's development, as well as Don Turner's complete personal papers and
relevant memorabilia. Income will be used to process, organize, index, and
enhance the accessibility of Turner's work and to promote it through exhibits,
publications, educational programs, and the like. Income may also be used to
enhance the Archive with additional acquisitions, including works by related
artists, which provide significant context and contrast. As these purposes are
fulfilled, at the discretion of the University Library and the Special
Collections Librarian, income may be used to provide general support for
collections, operations, and services within UCSC Special Collections, so that
the Don LaViere Turner Archive may flourish within the framework of a robust and
vital institutional environment.
Dear Friend,
We are delighted to announce the establishment of the Don LaViere Turner Archive
in Special Collections at the UCSC Library.
UCSC is honored to be selected as the ultimate repository for Don's unique
artistic legacy.
The Turner Archive at the UCSC Library will organize and preserve the Turner
canon in perpetuity, provide for free and convenient public access, and
encourage educational programming to enhance the Turner legacy in the new
millennium.
You can join us in the great work of preserving the Turner legacy by
contributing to the Turner Archive and to the new UCSC Library Endowment that
has recently been established to ensure the Archive's continuing vitality and
support.
Here are the various ways in which you can help us support the Turner legacy:
* Do you own a work of art by Don Turner? By purchasing and donating such a work
to the UCSC Library, you may be able to extend our Archive of images and, if the
work's value has appreciated substantially, help yourself to a significant tax
deduction as well. If we already own a copy of the image, with your permission,
we may be able to translate your gift into a significant addition to the Don
LaViere Turner Endowment.
* Please consider making a cash contribution to the Turner Endowment, which is
building to the $10,000 level required for investment by the UC Santa Cruz
Foundation. We respectfully request a contribution of $500, but any amount you
give will be welcome and appreciated. Please send your check made out to the
UCSC Foundation/Turner Endowment to Margaret Gordon, Library Development Office,
McHenry Library, UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.
* Consider a gift of appreciated securities to the Turner Endowment. Again, such
a gift may provide substantial enrichment to the Endowment, as well as
significant tax advantage. For specific information on how to make such a gift,
please contact UCSC Gift Administration staff via 831-459-2501.
We will notify Gerry and Blake Turner of your gift and, in appreciation of your
generosity, enroll you on our honor roll of supporters, inviting you to special
events and activities. Most important, you will have the satisfaction of knowing
that you have helped ensure the continuing vitality of the Don LaViere Turner
archive and Don's enduring legacy.
Sincerely yours,
Allan J. Dyson
University Librarian
Margaret Gordon, Asst. to the University Librarian
University Library, UC Santa Cruz
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
831-459-4211, FAX 831-459-8206