A Tribute to Leno Prestini
The Leno Prestini Story
Leno Prestini was a man of many talents. He took great pride in his accomplish-ments and his artistry. In this photo alone we see a proud man in his much loved pickup, adorned by his art, equipped with a horse rack which he took to the far reaches so he could mount up and disappear into the wilderness and be alone with his thoughts.
Note the pulleys in Leno's drawing. They were actually used to help increase the pulling power. Nord's dog helping to pull was part of Leno's sense of humor.
Leno home on leave with the brick plant in the back ground
This Prestini gold painting is owned by the Renner family. The cabin that shows up in many of Leno's paintings in very similar to a cabin that used to be next to Furze Road.
A supurb photo of Burton Stewart and Leno Prestini displayed at the Loon Lake Historical Society.
Leno and Burton Stewart, best friends, made a diving bell from scratch. They spent many weekends diving for hidden treasure at their favorite local lakes.
Marion Castle presents Don Ball and the Clayton Historical Society this Prestini prospector pan. Mr. Castle has had a long and interesting history. His book The Least Expected, A Life Story, tells about much of it.
This Leno painting was based on a Deer Park street scene photograph that had 1909 written on the back. The photo has since been lost. The original owner of this painting got it from Leno in payment for a debt.
This Prestini prospector gold pan painting was donated to the Clayton Historical Society by Marion Castle. Frank Frye was possibly the model for this painting.
Two more gold pans painted by Leno. The bottom one is of the Schonfeld family home. The house is located where Williams Valley Road and Railroad Ave. meet. Our thanks t
Three more examples of Leno Prestini's gold pan art. Bob Renner found the bottom one in a pawn shop in Deer Park. Thanks to the Renner family for these pictures.
After the War, Leno never went back to Terra Cotta work. He made his living laying brick. Each fireplace he created was distinctive, done with his imagination and mood at that time. Here are a few of his creations for all to view on the West side of the Clayton Mercantile, The Center of the Downtown Business District.
Another view of Leno's Art Studio. Done with the same meticulous touch as his masterful paintings.
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The life story of Leno Prestini is an enigma. Please bear in mind that no matter who tries to tell his life story, it will be miles apart from what someone else would say. So here is what is known and some of what he projected. Leno's life. !!! Born in Besano, Italy, to Luigi and Catrina Prestini. He was born in February of 1906. He had one brother Battista 2 years his senior. The family came to America in 1908. They spent three years in Vermont, and then joined Luigi’s brother on Half Moon Prairie. Next it was on to Clayton where a group of Italian immigrants had banded together and worked for the Washington Brick and Lime Company. Both the Brick plant and Terracotta factory were within their grasp. Luigi was a molder at the Terracotta Plant. As time passed he found that Leno was a natural artist. Thus began the world of artistry that was to be his life.
Leno turned his single car garage into his picturesque art studio.
Leno in the European Theater during World War II.
The actual Skis and ski poles of Burton Stewart on disply at the LLHS which is a totally amazing organization.
Mae Huffman Fishbach related this story. She and Leno were sitting one day after school and who should ride by on his bicycle but Mae's brother Bob. Leno took Mae's folded lunch bag from her hand and proceeded to draw this sketch. I personally snapped this photo when she removed it from her mementos.
Duane and his twin sister Teresa. Their father was named Costante (Dominic) Costa. They lived on the east end of Clayton with a group of other Italians immigrants. The Prestini family included. All were very close neighbors. Duane's older brother Silvio and Leno were both at least 10 years older than Duane. When they went off to war, it fell upon Duane, Teresa & their parents shoulders to care for Mrs. Prestini. Leno never forgot this and upon his return he and Duane became fast friends and chummed around together from that time forward.
Duane Costa identified Leno's art studio and quaint little home. He was a whiz at laying brick fireplaces with his own imaginary style. He loved to work, he loved to play and he loved his fellow man. However he didn't find the girl of his dreams, so he never married. He like every celebrity had many admirers and a few detractors. Some said although so very talented that he might possibly be possessed by the devil. Not by the manner of treating people, because he liked people and was always a gentleman. In many of his paintings, tucked away in an inconspicuous placed, would be a tiny figure of the devil. We will never know because in 1963 at age 57, Leno took his own life. What a sad premature end to such an intricate friendly gentleman blessed with many God-given talents.
"From Clay to Clay" is a mural that was on west wall of Matt's Tavern. The Loon Lake Historical Society saved, removed and restored it. This very meaningful mural hangs at the Loon Lake Historical Society today. The writing on the left side of the ram's head reads: SINGING YOUTH- Clay is my heritage; like this image of the craftsman in clay who stands for all, who gives their all in their dog like devotion towards building themselves a better home so they might build a better building to house a better world. So with a song in my heart and clay in my hands, I will one day be proud to follow in the footsteps of this man. The right side of the ram's head reads: FRANK FREY (Terracotta modeler) - I was and still am, like this craftsman of whom you speak. I, too, am chained to this picture, "From Clay to Clay" and dog the rugged road as a craftsman who moulds in clay. I sometimes find his steps have years between, when people have no will to build, but to destroy! So I pause along the road, and in these hands that held the clay, I clutch the things that seem to help along the weary way, with steps so far between. Yes, clay is my heritage, too, until the time when clay shall inherit me.
The ram's head above the entrance to Clayton School is just like the many on the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, WA.
Web Master and Clayton Deer Park Historical Society representative, Bob Clouse (left) accepts a Leno Prestini painting (Untitled - '52 ) from Bruno Costa. The Society is deeply thankful for the Costas' generosity.
This man even printed pretty.
This painting by the offical title of Untitled -'52 was done by Leno Prestini and presented to his life long friend Silvio (Jerry) Costa in 1952. It was a token of his esteem for Silvio. The painting was given to his younger brother Duane Costa. Duane later passed it on to his cousin Bruno Costa. Duane and Bruno both wished to present it to the Clayton Deer Park Historical Society, which they did on July 17, 2007. Their generosity, thoughtfulness and love for their hometown will be forever remembered with this very gracious gift.
Duane Costa
Bruno Costa
Dominic Costa, Father of Duane and his twin Sister Teresa, and older Brother Silvio. Dominic is Brother to John the father of Bruno Costa.
The Clayton Deer Park Historical Society would like to dedicate this Leno Prestini Album to his cherished life long friend, Silvio Costa. The Prestinis and Costas migrated from Italy and found themselves united in the confines of Clayton, Washington, as close neighbors and lifelong friends.
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