When Knox County Community Artisans purchased their building in May 2020, it was a leap of faith. “We bought 13,000 square feet of wide-open space and thought, ‘What are we going to do with this space?’” recalled founding member Glenn Busse.
That leap has transformed into a growing nonprofit where people can learn, practice, and enjoy the arts. From woodworking to stained glass, sewing, and more, the mission is simple: to give the community a place where creativity can flourish.
“The arts are the soul of the school, of the community,” Busse explained. “Reading, writing, and math are essential, but the arts are where creativity lives. That’s what we want people to experience here.”
Support from Galesburg Community Foundation’s Turnout Grant Cycle is helping Knox County Community Artisans deepen that impact. Their 2025 Turnout grant made it possible to hire an administrative coordinator—a role that has increased visibility, improved scheduling, and streamlined communication. “Exposure brings more people through the doors, which means more memberships, more classes, and more opportunities for the community,” shared Beth Lauver, Administrative Coordinator.
Powered almost entirely by volunteers, the organization draws people from near and far. “We’ve had people drive two hours just to come to a scroll saw class because they saw it on Facebook,” Lauver shared. “That tells us we’re filling a real need.” Previous grants from the Community Foundation have also supported the purchase of specialized equipment, opening the door for even more people to explore new skills.
Knox County Community Artisans consists primarily of two unique programs: The Ark Woodworking Shop and Yours2Create Resale Shop.
The Ark Woodworking Shop provides members 24/7 access to tools and workspace, along with specialty classes. It also serves as a place where volunteers craft items to donate back to the community and charitable organizations.
Yours2Create, launched in March 2022, is a resale craft shop that accepts donations of all types of craft supplies. Volunteers carefully sort and display the items, which are then sold. “It’s a place to find just the right item to finish a project, or inspire a new one,” shared Lauver. In addition to providing affordable materials, Yours2Create offers classes in cardmaking and sewing, with plans to expand into other hobbies.
Looking ahead, Knox County Community Artisans remains focused on creating opportunities for people to experience the arts firsthand. Whether through classes, affordable supplies, or access to tools and workspace, the goal is the same: to help people discover new skills, try new projects, and enjoy the satisfaction of making something themselves.
“Our vision is for this community to become known as a place where the arts thrive,” commented Busse.
To learn more about Knox County Community Artisans, visit https://www.kccartisans.org.
Grants for The Turnout come from the Community Foundation’s unrestricted Impact Fund and Field of Interest Funds along with contributions from our generous community donors who hold Donor Advised Funds at the Community Foundation. To make a gift contact us at Galesburg Community Foundation.
