Janet and I worked on prints up in Taylor (a building on the college campus), room 205. She and I would talk about many subjects. She knew that I was very involved at this time with campus politics. We would visit topics like campus unrest, ecology and of course printmaking. I remember her working on her print “Wave” and methodically scratching at the surface with a rounded motion as I worked on my print “Pollution I”. She talked slowly and I listened about printmaking processes and about her never marrying, etc. She could talk on any subject in depth with an incredible knowledge of the facts. I was her teaching assistant at this time and was teaching a class in beginning printmaking. That as a wondrous time. I really enjoyed helping students advance in the art form that I loved, and still do.

When teaching, demonstrating printmaking techniques, or casual conversation; Janet would talk mostly in monotone. Occasionally she would interject a little “zinger” and wait for a reaction. A wry little smile was not far away. I miss that!

To this day, I assist students in the print room at Chico State as a volunteer employee of the University. I have a large locker for supplies and tools. I share with students my knowledge and supplies…this brings me great joy. But I digress…back to Janet!She was collecting prints from all over the world so that her students could see what was going on in the world of printmaking, without having to go to New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco. She could appreciate many styles of prints. I on the other hand was narrower in what I could appreciate. I remember one print in particular that she purchased, it was a piece of torn paper that had been sewed with a needle and thread – well that just offended my sensibilities. How could I have been so narrow?

Janet used straight pins to display her prints on movable bulletin boards in the print room. Many times, she would come in after a weekend and find an open space where matted prints had been. Later, the University would install glass cases to house her prints; but not before she lost a number of expensive prints. Later all the prints that Janet had collected became the Turner Print Collection and is housed in the Janet Turner Gallery at California State University, Chico. The collection is one of the best kept secrets in Chico. Here is a world class collection of prints in our home town, and most of the population knows nothing about it.