Meet Umut Demirgüç Thurman

We were lucky to catch up with Umut Demirgüç Thurman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Umut, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

It was not difficult to find my purpose; as a kid, I knew that I was very interested in all kinds of arts such as paintings, drawings, cartoons, metal objects, and ceramics… I grew up in a family who liked and appreciated art so much, and we had art objects in our house. Also, our extended family was just like my family. This gave me opportunity to examine artworks at a young age and made me want to be an artist when I grow up.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I studied textile design in my undergraduate degree and metalsmithing and jewelry as my graduate degree. I have been working in both subjects for over two decades. Also, I have been an art educator for twenty-eight years, started teaching in an elementary school, then private art lessons and then as a university faculty member. I have also been teaching workshops both in the USA and Türkiye. My artworks are included in international collections including Cam Ocağı Vakfı and UNT Special Collections as well as numerous private collections both in the USA and Türkiye. In addition to my studio work and teaching, I wrote numerous articles in a wide range of international publications and published Türkiye’s first enameling book in 2022.
Recently, we started a nonprofit organization with a group of artists called “Denton Maker Center” in Denton, Texas. Our goal is to provide the community many different arts and crafts workshops, seminars, events, sales, and open studio times. We are all very excited and working really hard to grow this maker center. https://www.dentonmakercenter.com/

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I can say these were impactful in my journey:

1-Working really hard and doing solo exhibitions.

2-Teaching different media to diverse groups of people such as university students, hobbyists, and children.

3- Continue to learn new techniques.

I recommend the same things for people who are early in their journey.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I think the most impactful thing my parents did for me was to help me get an interest in art by having artworks all around the house, taking me to art museums when I was a kid, and also supporting me to go study art. I remember watching my father doing watercolor or oil paintings when I was very young and this made me start painting at an early age. Also, watching my mother sew and make clothes made me want to study textiles in undergraduate school.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo credits:

Chris Evans https://www.cwrightevans.com/
Trade Marek Photography https://www.trademarek.com/

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season

Highlighter Series
What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?

With so many high-achievers in our community it was super interesting to learn about the

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger