Joe Turner

Joe Turner started drawing in the first grade, but the Birmingham, Alabama-based artist and designer would never have imagined that he would become an artist. Growing up in an African-American household, and in a low-income community with limited opportunities, it was difficult for Joe to envision success in a field with so few role models. However, the possibility of an arts career unfolded during the summer after his high school graduation, when his alma mater commissioned a series of his paintings, in recognition of his talents. Soon, faculty members at Samford University were asking him to dream up bespoke pieces for their homes. Encouraged by the enthusiasm for his works, Turner started an Instagram account that captivated an even wider audience.