Mill Street Folkart Gallery

Specialties

Mill Street Folkart Gallery focuses on Wisconsin artists who specialize in the textile arts. These techniques include wool appliqué, needle punch, free form crochet, quilting and painted canvas sculptures. The folk artists at Mill Street Folkart are self taught in their respective fields and have been practicing their craft for decades.

History

Established in 2011.

Painted Canvas Designs was created in 1987 by Jeanne and Joanne Kreuser. Their work has been nationally recognized by ‘Early American Life Magazine’ as one of the top American folk artists in the United States. In 2011 they realized their dream and opened a gallery that specializes in folk art and invited like-​minded artists to join them in this pursuit.

Meet the Business Owner

Jeanne and Joanne K.

Business Owner

Jeanne and Joanne are second generation fine craftsmen. Born and raised in Wisconsin by working class parents with six children, they were exposed to a large variety of hand craft techniques including doll making, weaving, wood working, and painting.

After college they continued to create and explore different mediums based on their childhood experiences. Influenced by an account of «poor man’s porcelain» from the 18^th century, they began experimenting with techniques in 1986 and began creating Folk Art sculptural painted canvas in 1987.

Influenced by antiques and children’s books, their self taught style is uniquely their own with a combination of charm and practical craftsmanship which defines true Folk Art. Their work reflects the clean lines of Folk Art without the degeneration of primitive styling.