Yücel Dönmez’s place in Turkish and American Art History:
Yücel Dönmez has been continuing his artistic work in Chicago since 1980. He has staged many exhibitions both in Turkey and in the States and was accepted into one of the most influential art encyclopaedias to shape American art history, ‘Who is Who in American Art’ in 2000. His inclusion in the ‘Biographical Encyclopaedia of American Painters, Sculptors and Engravers of the U.S.’ in 2002, followed by the ‘Devonport’s Art Reference’ encyclopaedia, Dönmez has secured a permanent place in American art history. Yücel Dönmez also appears among the 63 artists from Chicago to have entered the renowned art reference book, ‘Art Diary International’, published every year by the famous ‘Flash Art’ magazine in Italy.

Awards:
2003 ‘Who is Who in American Art’ prize plaquette
Dönmez has been recognised by American art critics (Alan Artner, Chicago Tribune, 1989) as an artist who has shed new light upon the art of painting with his self-developed painting techniques. He obtained ‘The National Medal of Art’ one of the most important awards in the United States in 1995, for his 11-year-long dedication to bringing art to education working with Urban Gateways.
Other awards Yücel Dönmez has been given include the following:
1983 ‘Urban Gateways Award for Painting’. 11 of Dönmez’ paintings were given prizes and added to the art collection of 11 schools who have been working with the Organisation for over 25 years.
1993 ‘Outdoor Art Award’. Dönmez was given the ‘Outdoor Art Award’ for his ‘snow painting’ project in today’s Millennium Park in Chicago, sponsored by five different organisations.
1987 ‘Chicago’s Very Own’. Dönmez appeared four times on the main news of one of America’s national television channels, WGN. He received the prestigious ‘Chicago’s Very Own’ status in 1987 (other winners of the award in later years included Michael Jordan).
1987 The Art Institute of Chicago. During the 1987 Sultan Süleyman exhibition, Dönmez was awarded the chance to display his artwork at the ‘Junior Museum’, sponsored by the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the three biggest museums in the US. He was awarded this by the assessment committee of the museum.
1984 Illinois State Ethnic Heritage Commission Award was given to Dönmez as the representative of Turkish painting....