The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Pegs Johnson stands by a portrait of her "Grandpa Reeves," one of the many pieces of artwork she is currently exhibiting at CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington Medical Center. Johnson taught art at Carrington High School for many years.
She's known for both her behind-the-wheel skills and her artistic prowess.
An art teacher and driver's education instructor by trade, Pegs Johnson's childhood love for drawing has turned into a lifelong exploration of various art forms. Her art, which has won state and national awards, is now on display in the hallway at CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington.
"I have always been interested in art and two of my high school teachers deserve the credit for opening the world of art up to me," Johnson says. She is a graduate of New Rockford High School, and she and her husband Ray live just outside of Carrington.
Johnson holds three bachelor's degrees – in art, art education and driver's education – which she earned in 1989 and 1990.
She taught art at Carrington High School for more than two decades (from 1996 to 2017), fostering in youth the ability to express themselves artistically.
She developed an interest in art therapy while working at the North Dakota Department of Corrections. She also attended art therapy school at the University of Chicago at Illinois, and worked as an art therapist at Fort Totten for five years, working with at-risk youth.
Johnson's exhibit here at CHI consists of a collection of art pieces she created throughout her life, since she first developed an interest in art. "Each and every piece has a spiritual connection," she says.
There are several different art forms to see, including watercolor and pastel paintings, hand-drawn cartoons and photography. Jewelry, pottery, wood carving and sculpture are among the other art forms she has created.
"Art has always been a way to find spiritual peace within somewhere in this chaotic world," she notes. "I have always loved to explore different avenues of art subjects and materials to express my inner voice."
One of the pieces on display, and shown in the photo above, is a portrait of her grandfather, which she calls "Grandpa Reeves."
"My portraits often show the colors I see within a person or personality . . .," Johnson writes. "Life is not always kind. Hues change through life's struggles, loss of family and friends, illness and surviving cancer."
Johnson also has a private pottery studio on her property. She makes custom urns, which she has shipped all over the world. She won a Governor's Award from Governor George Sinner for the unique wheat design on her pottery, which she produces by integrating a farmer's wheat shaft right into their urn.
Johnson concluded the brief introduction to her work with, "After learning, exploring and teaching the arts, I'm learning my travel has just begun . . ." Happy trails through art, Mrs. Johnson.
The exhibit will be on display at Carrington Medical Center until the end of the month. Take the time to wander the hall and take a look at life through the eyes of a local artist.
