Born in Palmerston North in 1943, educated at St Kentigen College, Auckland, and married Sue Kerry in 1965. Don Copeland inherited has love of art from both sides of his family and has painted and sculpted since 1966. From early in his career he made a study of the arts of many primitive and prehistoric cultures which culminated in trips to Australia, many Pacific Islands, Italy and Israel. Don has had 18 one-man shows, numerous part shows, and in 1998 held a one-man show in Melbourne, Commissions and public works include "Pacifica" a 2m high carving at Massey University Albany campus and "Beginnings" a 2m x 9m mural in the Beth Shalom Community Centre, Epsom. In recent years Don has served on the Education Committee and tutored pottery at Mairangi Arts Centre.