For The Love of Turtles
Buttercup, Little Monster, Levon Tostig, and Leonardo, the name Dr. Tony Monahan, gave his first pet turtle, the one he caught as a boy near the woods of his family's home.
It was Leonardo who inspired Dr. Monahan’s artistic awakening. And now his craft is being celebrated at the QCC Art Gallery, where his exhibit, “For the Love of Turtles” will be on display now through June 30, 2026. A Professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Dance (HPED) at Queensborough for 15 years, Dr. Monahan will retire from the College at the end of the spring 2026 semester and devote his professional and creative focus toward turtle conservation.
“I have loved my time at this institution and always felt honored to work beside my colleagues and on behalf of our students,” said Dr. Monahan. “I consider it the greatest privilege of my life to be a Queensborough Professor.”
The exhibit space was filled with colleagues and students who came to admire his work. “Through creativity, I strive to raise awareness of turtles and inform the world that they are in trouble and need our help.”
His primary artistic medium is paper structure, three-dimensional layered papers, and mat board. He also paints on stretched canvas and creates various photography-based works.
“Elton John’s Levon is one of my favorite songs,” Dr. Monahan sang the lyric cartoon balloons all day, as he pointed to Levon Tostig’s Dream, his mixed media collage of turtles being carried across the water, holding onto helium balloons.
“Little Monster is a red star turtle—over at Oakland Lake you see a whole bunch of them. These turtles originate from the South and are one of the most invasive animals in the world. This is why I call them little monsters.”
Still, he created a portrait of one.
“Yes, I still have an affinity for them,” he laughed.
Then there’s the commanding inkjet print of Buttercup; a whimsical mixed media collage, 20 Birthday Wishes dedicated to his daughter; while baby turtles, sister turtles and Life in Motion, an exquisitd inkjet print of a tiny leatherback turtle making a break for the surf, round out his collection.
His epic piece started more than 20 years ago.
“I had an image in mind, so I bought the canvas, drew it out, and said to myself, ‘this is way beyond my capabilities’. Years after I took it up again as a paper structure. I started making the shells—took seven hours to make each one. 64 Box turtles, 256 legs, and an Albino turtle I threw in for contrast. Then I put the piece aside again for several years. I just finished it last week! Asian Box turtles are critically endangered; there are only about 100 left in the wild.”
Dr. Monahan gestured to Santa Helena Del Mar, an inkjet print on glass. “I ran into this special turtle at the Mexican National Turtle Center. She is completely blind. It's a miracle that she lived beyond the egg. I wanted to express her resilience and fragility. The Center named her Helena. She’s a hero, a superstar, and a great swimmer!”
This summer, Dr. Monahan will travel back to Mexico where he will speak in August at the Turtle Survival Alliance Conference in Guadalajara.
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