By Kristi Spencer
Jeffrey Jones has been working as an artist for over 37 years, exploring pottery, sculpture, painting and even toy design. He got his start at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, as a production potter. Since then, his work has taken him around the world, creating everything from sand sculptures to action figures. Art was Jones’ early passion, but it wasn’t until college that he discovered how he wanted to express it.
“I originally went to college to become an illustrator or painter,” Jones recalls. “I took a pottery class and was immediately attracted to the tactile qualities of clay, along with the science involved in glaze formulation and firing. Creating three-dimensional objects also seemed to bring my ideas into a more tangible state of being.”
Exploring pottery, sculpture, painting and even toy design
Jones established his own pottery studio in 1986, setting the foundation for what would become a diverse career. His journey took a unique turn in the late 1990s when he began traveling the world, crafting intricate sand sculptures for major corporations, sports teams and events. These experiences, along with his work as a sculptor for McFarlane Toys, where he created action figures for iconic movies like “The Terminator” and “The Matrix,” added to his range of skills that still influence his work.
When asked how his artistic vision has evolved over the years, Jones says it has been a natural progression that comes with time and practice. “After years and years of working as an artist, I find it easier and very natural to not only conceive of more complex ideas but to actually have developed the skills to bring them to life,” he says.
In 2019, Jeffrey and his wife, Donna, purchased the historic Congregational Church building in Neosho, Missouri. They transformed the space into Northwood Arts & Event Center, a music and art venue that houses Jones’ private studios. Across the street, they run The Clay Cup – A Coffee Pottery, a coffee shop, gallery and clay studio that has become a favorite spot in the Neosho community.
“The Clay Cup definitely has a symbiotic relationship with the community,” Jones says. “We’re a vital part of each other. We work with and for the community, and it happily works with us. There’s so much opportunity in Neosho for small businesses to bring their own personal specialties to the table in the economic and cultural development of our town.”
Jones has advice for aspiring artists: “Put your devices and games down and get to work. Skill acquisition and development are the key to becoming a better artist. The best way to accomplish that is to spend hours making art. I’m twice the artist I was, but not yet half the artist I want to become.
“Put your devices and games down and get to work. Skill acquisition and development are the key to becoming a better artist. The best way to accomplish that is to spend hours making art.” — Jeffrey Jones