Theresa Preheim & Olivia Barkl
June 6th - July 1st
Theresa Preheim - I was about four years old when my mother found me drawing on the bathroom walls with her lipstick. She was certain that her young daughter would grow up to be an artist.
With my mother’s continuous encouragement, I decided that being an artist was indeed my future calling. After my High School graduation, I enrolled at Madison Area Technical College, in Madison, Wisconsin and in 1983, earned my Associate Degree in Commercial Art.
I worked in the advertising industry for a few years, and in 1985, I moved to Vermillion South Dakota where I began selling some of my collage art at South Dakota and Iowa art fairs.
In the early part of June in 1986, I met a local sign painter named Greg Preheim, and he taught me the craft of hand lettering signs. In the Spring of 1987 I started my own Graphic Art / Sign business, Tasgraphics and gave Greg Signs “quite a bit of competition”. Eventually, Greg and I started dating, and in September 1990, we were married and combined our businesses. I spent the next 28 years creating art alongside Greg. We painted everything from storefront signs to murals, created logos for businesses, drew portraits, and in 1997, we designed and physically built our dream home together.
Sadly, in November of 2018, Greg passed away. At present, I continue to create art on a part time basis, and am now a full time librarian / part time art teacher at Irene-Wakonda High School.
Olivia Barkl - As an artist, I've embarked on a journey that began with my fascination for pottery in my New Jersey hometown. I nurtured this passion through local classes before heading to the University of South Dakota for my studies in math and interdisciplinary science.
While at USD, I kept my love for pottery alive by taking ceramic classes. I soon discovered how my mathematical and scientific skills could be applied to my craft, whether it was analyzing glaze reactions or calculating clay expansion rates.
After completing college, I set up my own studio, where I continue to create and explore the wonders of clay. Living in South Dakota has deepened my connection with nature, influencing my artistic expression.
Through my art, I aim to capture the beauty of the natural world and share my love for pottery with others.
Artist's Statement
Theresa Preheim - Drawn towards texture, color, and things found in nature, creating collage art has always been the most logical way to express the beauty that I see in everything.
Olivia Barkl - My pottery reflects my deep reverence for nature and my commitment to craftsmanship. Using stoneware clay, I handcraft each piece with care, infusing them with the natural beauty that surrounds us.
Firing my creations to cone 6 ensures both durability and aesthetic appeal, making them both functional and visually captivating. Influenced by the organic shapes and colors found in the natural world, my work exudes a sense of calm and harmony.
What sets my pottery apart is the personal touch I bring to each piece. I take pride in creating my own glazes, often incorporating ingredients I've gathered myself. This hands-on approach adds authenticity and a unique connection to each creation.
Through my art, I seek to share the beauty and tranquility of nature, inviting others to find solace and joy in the simplicity of handmade functional art.
About the Artist
