A Style All His Own: Adam Turman

A Style All His Own

AN INTERVIEW WITH BELOVED MINNESOTA PUBLIC ART CREATOR, ADAM TURMAN

By Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Group

When it comes to well-known Minnesota artists, one person surely comes to mind. You’ve likely seen his work in locations across the state – on walls, bridges, and at the State Fair. We talked to Adam Turman about his favorite public art projects and solicited advice on the best ways to work with an artist when considering a public art project.

TP: Give us some background on your education and career path. AT: I hold a BA in Graphic Design from the School of Design, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. During school, I loved courses about the theory of design, art and design history, and color theory. Each course formulated a great base to be able to create my own style. The most important time though, was inspiration and constructive criticism from fellow students, it provided a challenge to do the best possible work. TP: What have been some of your favorite large-scale, public art/ community based projects? AT: The most recent public art project with the City of Northfield for the Hwy 246 & Jefferson Pkwy pedestrian tunnels was an amazing experience from start to finish, and a joy to be a part of the community. This project had a very well-organized RFQ detailing the exact project scope, artwork theme and criteria. A selection committee, led by one liaison, was a part of each art approval process. On another project, working with Three Rivers Park District Hyland Hills Teen Council for a mural at the Ski Chalet was also a dream. The Teen-led committee was well organized, engaged and knew exactly what they wanted. This group sought out my creative style specifically to express their vision for the mural.

Working in partnership with Three Rivers Park, Adam created signage for the regional trails wayfinding signs and intersections.

Turman’s most recent public art project with the City of Northfield for the Hwy 246 & Jefferson Pkwy pedestrian tunnels. The project involved a series of four tunnels, each representing a biome of the Northfield area – a total of 16 illustrations. Cuyuna Lakes is home to a series of murals, all depicting various historic and outdoor activities to do in the area.

Tall Grass Liquor is a municipal liquor store owned and operated by the city of Marshall, Minnesota. Tall Grass wanted to highlight the culture and industry of Marshall along with wine.

TP: What arrtistic medium(s) do you use to create your art? AT: The sky’s the limit! All of my work starts with a custom sketch that is finalized to digital artwork and can be transformed into any media required. Most recently this has been painted murals, sculptures of fiberglass, and printed vinyl graphics. My other primary mediums are original screen prints and mixed-media paintings.

TP: What is the best way for a park and recreation agency to get you the details for a new public art project? Do you meet with them to create a creative brief? Prefer an RFP? AT: The best way is to contact my studio directly, or send an invitation to apply to a Request For Qualifications. Note, not a Request For Proposal. The best projects are led by the people who will appreciate the work I am hired to create (RFQ). I am not an artist who will dictate the project or who will work on speculation (RFP). Ideally a committee or board has created an outline of the artwork theme they would like for a project.

TP: How far in advance should a community agency approach you for a new public art project? AT: This will depend on the scope of the project (mural vs large sculpture) and can be anywhere from six months to a year (considering fabrication).

TP: How should a community budget their project? Are there any general rules of thumb? AT: Public art projects are very similar in construction projects that require budgets and bids and Project Management. Consider the size of the project, consider the material requested - who is going to be the point person of the project? Do the research, ask questions. So many public art projects require the artist to provide concepts, image revisions AND materials for their work without understanding the costs involved. Small budgets for large projects are oftentimes eaten up by materials alone.

TP: What are some challenges that make public art difficult to accomplish? AT: Similar answer to the above question but with the addition of time. Wanting a public art project for a 75th anniversary this summer and soliciting RFQs in March is too late.

You can see samples of Turman’s work at www.adamturman.com.