Media Information

46 Million Turkeys: A Community Art Project Honoring Thanksgiving Turkeys as Unique Individuals

What if every turkey eaten on Thanksgiving had their own portrait—a face, a life, a moment of recognition? That’s the ambitious vision behind 46 Million Turkeys, a one-of-a-kind participatory art project founded by artist Cheryl Miller in 2013. With a bold mission to create 46 million unique turkey portraits—one for each turkey consumed in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day—the project merges art and activism, transforming an overlooked statistic into a powerful visual statement. By inviting people from all walks of life to contribute their artistic expression, it builds an ever-growing collection that sparks awareness and engagement.

Miller, a passionate advocate for both animals and art, launched 46 Million Turkeys to encourage reflection on the scale of Thanksgiving traditions and the lives behind the numbers.

“By creating a portrait for every turkey, we transform statistics into individuals,” says Miller. “It’s a way to use art to express compassion and connection.”

 Over the past decade, the project has attracted thousands of participants, ranging from professional artists to schoolchildren and community groups. Contributions span a variety of mediums, from watercolors and pencil sketches to mixed media creations. The project has been exhibited in galleries, public spaces, and online, with submissions pouring in from around the world.

Participation is open to all. Those interested can submit their turkey portrait through the project’s official website. Whether a simple sketch or a detailed masterpiece, each contribution represents a turkey as a unique individual—capturing their expressions, markings, and personality—as a bird who is seen.

For more information, to view the collection, or to submit a turkey portrait, visit https://46millionturkeys.com/

Media Contact: Cheryl Miller
46millionturkeys@gmail.com