Joshua Turner is an oil painter from Maryland, and a student at Columbia University whose work explores family history, faith, and Caribbean identity. Turner’s work is rooted in a desire to understand his own history better. His goal is not only to capture a person’s appearance, but to preserve their presence. Professionally, he works closely with clients to transform meaningful memories and relationships into powerful works of art; his work reflects that every person carries a story worth remembering. 

"If you see a mistake and do not fix it, you are a bad person." His teacher, Karl Connolly, had this powerful motto that became one of Turner's guiding principles. It taught him to approach every painting with the assumption that every initial mark is wrong and can be improved, as we, as humans, are inherently imperfect, and that discipline lies in having the humility and persistence to correct it. 

His work has been recognized through several regional and national honors, including being named a 2026 YoungArts Finalist and winning First Place in the Mayor Brandon Scott Black History Month Art Contest in both 2025 and 2026. He was also the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition through Congressman Johnny Olszewski. He graduated Cum Laude from Gilman School, ranking in the top 20% of his class. During his free time, he founded JT Open Studio, a weekly painting program for middle school students.