A Friend Among Us: The Art of Brinton Turkle

Exhibition Website

Dec 13 2016 - May 7 2017

Step back in time with Brinton Turkle and his tales of American lore. Whether set on the island of Nantucket or in the mountains of Appalachia, his stories and poetic imagery capture both the history and nuances of place. 

Turkle follows the escapades of a young Quaker boy in his Obadiah series, offers a surprising twist on a favorite fairy tale in Deep in the Forest, and sprinkles magic realism throughout the pages of Sky Dog. All work is from the museum’s permanent collection, generously donated by the artist’s children. A highlight is surely Turkle’s watercolor illustrations from Thy Friend, Obadiah, awarded a 1970 Caldecott Honor.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website

Thy Friend, Obadiah (1982)) tells the story of the warm friendship that develops between a young Quaker boy and a seagull on old Nantucket, for ages 2 and up.



  • Works on Paper
  • American
  • 20th Century
  • Brinton Turkle

Exhibition Venues & Dates