Artist Spotlight: John Preus, Clay
Photos and story by Kim Carr
As you enter the small town of Rocheport, population 243, you pass hillsides of grape vines and charming views. Rustic signs point the way to small shops which draw visitors from all over Missouri and beyond. The first thing I noticed when I arrived at the home and studio of juried member John Preus was the aroma of a wood fire that filled the air.
John and his wife Margaret have lived here since 1979. Both of them artists, they share exhibit space in their one-room gallery called Manitou Studio, LLC which is located next to their home. Inside the shop which is open 10:00 – 5:00 Wednesday through Saturday or by appointment, you will find a wide variety of John’s work both in ceramics and photography. His wife Margaret is a fiber artist who has a passion for weaving using a variety of different looms.
Inside the house, it felt like home. The wood stove burning and two large cats kept us company as we chatted. I asked John if he enjoyed the arts as a youngster and he stated that he spent his childhood just being a kid. It wasn’t until he headed off to college where he obtained his BA in Sociology that he got his first real taste for the arts. It was at the University of Minnesota that John was exposed to museums and the Institute of Art. He said it was a wonderful introduction which then started his pathway into the field of art. He took his first class as a senior in college in 1966. After college, John joined the service. Following this, he spent time with his cousin in Washington, learning the finer points of pottery and then time in North Carolina, where he taught pottery. John and his wife made their way to Missouri in 1979. He spent 20 years teaching at the University of Missouri where he also earned his Master’s in Fine Art. Before retiring, John spent time teaching at Missouri Valley College until 2008.
Since retiring, John finds himself busier than ever. His work space is behind the studio and about eighteen steps from his back door. The majority of John’s work is done on the wheel but he does hand-build many of his pieces. He enjoys altering the form, reworking it and doing some assemblage of pieces. He describes his work as quiet. When you walk about the studio you will see that John often draws on the surface of his work creating yet another dimension to each piece.
John feels his work has been influenced through osmosis by both Asian and British cultures. John is not sure if it is conscious or subconsciously that he is drawn to this style of art which carries over into his work. He uses domestic porcelain clay and fires his work in a gas-powered kiln he built himself in the backyard. Lately he has been experimenting with ash glazes for his pottery, obtaining the ash from his wood stove in the house. He enjoys trying new things and this is especially evident in his photography that you find hanging in the studio. John experiments with different cameras and lens to add a whole new dimension to his pieces. As much as he enjoys creating art, John also has a great appreciation for the works of others. Drawn to works with a strong composition in which he can see the artist’s vision, he especially loves work that is striking but not flashy.
Fellow Best of Missouri Hands artists Don and Blenda Marquart of Village Pewter sparked John’s interest in the BOMH over ten years ago. A member ever since, John has participated in numerous shows including ARTstravaganza and Queeny Park. Over the past few years, John has noticed his work does very well out of state so he travels for most of his shows like Peoria, Brookside and Mississippi Craftsmen. Outside of his studio in Rocheport, you can also find John’s pottery at Bluestem in Columbia, Art Impressions in Sedalia and the Mississippi Gallery in Jackson, MS.
Margaret, an artist in her own right, didn’t grow up thinking of herself as an artsy type kid…she just knew she enjoyed doing crafts and kept herself busy with counted cross stitch projects. Her parents gave Margaret her first loom in the mid 70’s and there has been no looking back. She and John raised two daughters together in which she homeschooled the girls and later started working at Missouri Valley College in the library. Now she enjoys creating very functional pieces on the loom such as scarves, shawls, placemats and more. In the studio, you can tell Margaret also enjoys sewing. She has numerous aprons which would serve well in the kitchen or for the artist looking to stay clean as they work.
John’s marketing strategy includes numerous shows every year with Margaret going along to help make sure things run smoothly. Their studio is open Wednesday through Saturday when not on the road for a show. The studio has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Manitou-Studio/181052835261390?fref=ts and John has a website at http://www.preusceramics.com/home
John and Margaret are members of the Rocheport Area Merchants Association and have seen an increase in traffic to their studio due to the promotion of area activities, bed and breakfast and local eateries. In 2013, Midwest Living magazine rated Rocheport as one of the best small town get-aways proving that the arts and crafts are a huge draw and asset to our rural communities.
When I asked John how they came up with the name Manitou Studio, he stated they named it after a nearby creek which flows into the Missouri River. Manitou is a French word which represents the spirit being of Native Americans. It is believed that every plant, stone and even machines have their own Manitou or spirit. After a visit to the studio, you can rent a kayak or canoe in town. From the river, you may still be able to view rock paintings on the limestone bluffs as this area was of great importance to several Native American tribes. For more information about the Manitou, you can visit http://www.dnr.mo.gov/water-trail/featuredsection1.htm
In looking back over his career as an artist, John stated that he is enjoying his craft as much now as when he first started. The excitement of trying new things and experimenting with his art continues to motivate and move him forward. When I asked John for any words of wisdom or advice that he might pass on to a new artist, he stated, “Perseverance is the name of the game.”
Visit John’s Best of Missouri Hands page at:
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