Shelia Turner received her MA in Social Documentation from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Intent on changing the way in which people perceive reality, Turner uses photography as a tool for social commentary to address the effects of television and media on African-American identity and urban contemporary life. Finding inspiration in advertising, news events and even the neighborhood corner convenience store, Turner engages communities through public interactions to create collaborative projects. Shelia Turner represents a new brand of artist who embraces being an activist and educator; one who uses art as a way to generate change, the Center’s core mission.