James Turner is a native of Great Falls, MT (Lincoln Elementary, Paris Gibson/East Jr. High, GFHS '90 and The University of Montana '95) and working mosaic artist who began his mosaic career in Missoula, MT in 1996. He moved his studio to Boise, ID in 1998, began teaching mosaic in 2002, started the Mosaic Workshop at Fort Boise Art Center in 2004 and has since taught thousands of adults and kids from around the globe the art of mosaic. He also travels throughout the Intermountain West bringing his "Traveling Mosaic Workshops" to communities which lack an existing mosaic art education presence (including Montana) offering classes/workshops meeting every experience and age level including Introduction to Mosaic, Intermediate Outdoor Installation and Advanced Architectural Mosaic. He has been the Artist in Residence at Christine Donnell School for the Arts, ANSER Charter, and Whitney and Longfellow Elementary Schools in Boise, appeared on HGTVs television program "That's Clever!" and in numerous media pertaining to the art of mosaic. Known for his expert glass shaping skills and unique color palette and content, he has work all over the globe in various collections and participated in some of the finest art shows in the West including Sun Valley, ID, Bend, OR, Jackson, WY, Bozeman, MT and beyond. He also plays the accordion and sings in Irish-influenced punk rock and Americana bands, having appeared on dozens of records and played hundreds of live shows. Overtly proud of his Central Montana roots, he counts C.M. Russell, Shane MacGowan and Lemmy as his influences.