Lost in Imagination: Fantastical Artwork by Jessica Turner ’06

Spotlight from the Academy of Notre Dame News & Publications - many thanks to my alma mater!

JAN 28 2021

Jessica Turner ’06 will be returning to Notre Dame for her second year as an exhibiting artist in the 48th Annual Fine Art Show & Sale, one of her favorite memories from her days as a Notre Dame student. 

“I remember walking to Spanish class and being so excited to see all the artwork on the walls. The art show was always one of my favorite events,” she shared. “I hoped one day I'd be able to show my art in the Mansion and now I am!”

Following her graduation from the Academy, Jessica attended Drexel University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Playwriting and Screenwriting. Alongside her love of theatre, she began creating art, considering herself a mixed-media artist due to her experimentation with several different mediums. Her current medium of choice is paper, testing its boundaries with color, texture and depth.

Inspired by antique images, nature and fantastical elements, Jessica gained her interest in paper art from her favorite artist Matisse, and she finds herself intrigued by anything that lends itself to getting lost in imagination. Her love of color and representing real things with real shapes and gestures stem from her early introduction to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Fauvism.

During the 2020 Fine Art Show, Jessica sold out of her highly-coveted Victorian-era circus animal collection, which will be making a return this year alongside new pieces featuring farm animals and people. She will also be exhibiting a special piece made with 12 layers of paper to give a three-dimensional look. Her work is affordable and relatively small, ranging from 6x6 to 8x8, making it a great addition to gallery walls.

You can find Jessica’s work, among other artists, at the Virtual 48th Annual Fine Art Show & Sale taking place January 30 through February 7 at NDArtShow.com.