This fall, The Turquoise Iris Journal turns five! What better way to honor this milestone than with a volume dedicated to our theme: Celebrate.
Since our very first issue in 2020, the Journal has been a gathering place for artists and creatives who believe in the power of community, expression, and courage. Now, with 21 volumes published and countless stories shared, we’re taking a moment to reflect, to honor, and to celebrate the people who have made this journey possible—our readers, our curators, and the incredible artists whose voices fill these pages.
Featured Artists in the Fall 2025 Volume of The Turquoise Iris Journal
This volume is packed with inspiration from cover to cover. Each feature offers a unique perspective on what it means to celebrate through art:
Cover Story – Dionne Woods : A Celebration of Art: The People in the Paint
Juliette Crane : Unexpected Details and Luminous Layering
Riley Hershberger : Capturing Life’s Timeless Narratives
Michele Rogers : Authenticity in Each Brushstroke
Vanna Tursini : Expressing Beloved Elements
Wendy Conklin : Creating Joy, Wonder and Whimsy
Lindsey McCord : Joy, Elegance, Playfulness
Carol Ann Webster : Organic, Nostalgic, Worn-Worthwhile
From luminous layers to bold colors, timeless portraits to whimsical design, this collection reminds us that celebration takes many forms—and art gives us the language to express them all.
Wendy Conklin – Creating Joy, Wonder and Whimsy
Vanna Tursini – Expressing Beloved Elements
Riley Hershberger – Capturing Life’s Timeless Narratives
Michele Rogers – Authenticity in Each Brushstroke
Lindsey McCord – Joy, Elegance, Playfulness
Juliette Crane – Unexpected Details and Luminous Layering
Carol Ann Webster – Organic, Nostalgic, Worn-Worthwhile
Dionne Woods
Curators in the Spotlight
This issue also includes a special twist: our curators Kim White, Danielle Kaminski, Patty Levine, BJ Massa, Porsha Chalmers, and Renee Smith, turn the tables and interview Dionne herself about what it means to publish 20 volumes of the Journal.
What started as an idea to showcase creative voices has grown into a vibrant platform that brings together artists from around the world. Through their questions, the curators pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes journey, the challenges, and the joy of building this creative community.
And because no celebration would be complete without them, our curators also share a sneak peek into their own contributions for this volume. Their essays and artwork reflect the theme in deeply personal ways, offering readers even more inspiration for their own creative journeys.
Patty Levine
Kim White
Renee Smith
Porsha Chalmers
Danielle Kaminski
BJ Massa
A Moment of Gratitude
Five years, 21 volumes, and thousands of readers later—we are filled with gratitude. The Journal exists because of you: the artists who bravely share your work, the curators who lend your vision and guidance, and the readers who continue to show up, support, and celebrate creativity.
This Celebrate issue is more than just a collection of stories and artwork—it’s a milestone. A reminder that art is about people, connection, and the courage to keep creating.
Join the Celebration
Subscriptions are open now – Subscribe today! Five years is just the beginning. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
