
Uncovering the extraordinary … and discovering quirkiness
Melissa Mitchell has a photo album of what she thinks are her first photos, square black-and-white prints dated 1970, making her about 13 at the time.
Story:Christine Walsh
Photos:Christine Walsh, provided

Not your grandmother’s quilts
Story:Christine Walsh
Photos:Christine Walsh

Using her experiences and creating beauty
In the bright and airy plant-lined sunroom at the back of Cindy Sampson’s Champaign house is her studio -- a treasure trove of her many art supplies and more than a few pieces in progress.
Story:Christine Walsh
Photos:Christine Walsh

A bunch of hooey
Jill Miller is an Urbana-based batik fiber artist with a studio in her home at 905 S. Lynn St.
Story:Christine Walsh
Photos:Christine Walsh

Bringing the humor and creating joy
Originally from Ohio, Marc-Anthony Macon earned his degree in theater and rhetoric from the University of Illinois.
Story:Christine Walsh
Photos:Christine Walsh

A new phase
When Betsy Waller decided to launch her own jewelry-making business, she was in a stage of transition.
Story:Christine Walsh

The wheel of life
If Tom Brewer had not been extremely ill his senior year on 1967 at Champaign High School-the last year Champaign had just one high school- this story may just well have been about Brewer the accountant, not Brewer the potter.
Story:Bridget Broihahn
Photos:Bridget Broihahn

Great glass: Fantastic FX
In any artistic endeavor, whether it be music, painting or stained glass, there is the “art” of the medium, but also the “craft” of the creation.
Story:Bridget Broihahn
Photos:Bridget Broihahn

Sewing with love
Story:Bridget Broihahn
Photos:Bridget Broihahn

Southlynn, the jeweler
Story:Bridget Broihahn
Photos:Bridget Broihahn