About

Our Mission:

Enrich lives through craftsmanship.

Help us build a folk art school in Illinois!

A love of folk art and a concern for the quickly disappearing skills of past generations prompted three friends—Lisé Mundwiller, Jennie Hawkey and Joan Quigg—to begin a journey. Their quest: to build a folk art school in Illinois.

Research began at home, and eventually led the trio to tour several internationally-known schools: Sawtooth in Winston-Salem, Penland in Asheville, NC,  John C. Campbell in Brasstown, NC, and Arrowmont in Gatlinburg, TN.  Visiting these schools, speaking with their administrators, and sharing meals with their instructors and students affirmed the idea that creating a folk art school in the Midwest is a viable and needed project.

When the trio returned home, they presented a basic plan to the SLG Cohen Foundation executive board. The board is every bit as excited about the idea as the three friends are, and have generously offered to allow the school to be built within Three Sisters Park, outside of Chillicothe, Illinois.

  Download our brochure

The Co-founders

Lisé Mundwiller
    Registered Nurse/Director of GPO ASC 
    Experienced small business owner of baking, catering and jewelry-making services
    Weaver and other arts
Jennie Hawkey
    IVC School District Curriculum Director
    Masters Degree in Education
    Weaver and Fiber Artist
Joan Quigg
    Registered Nurse
    Degree in Fashion and Textile Design
    Weaver and Fiber Artist

The Development Team

Our board and advisors consists of skilled individuals with a variety of talents including an attorney, office manager, small business owner, architect, human resource supervisor, graphic artists, illustrators, basket maker, wood carver, potter, photographer, sculptor, quilter, marketing director, nurse practitioner, weaver and blacksmith.

Call 309-274-8837 Ext. 131 to volunteer for a special committee.